Awesome Virtual Reality

Using projection mapping and a mix of tracking systems, creative studio THÉORIZ shows off a slick prototype which projects 3D images that dynamically adapt to movements, creating a sort of Holodeck version 1.0. Everything you see was captured live, with no post-production.

Return to Strangereal and pilot the world’s most advanced fighters in Bandai Namco’s upcoming arcade action flight sim. The game will have local multiplayer and support for the PS4’s PlayStation VR headset, but it will also be released on Xbox One and Windows.

Ideally, you’ll strap on a VR headset for this, but if you don’t have one, you can still appreciate the ethereal fractal journey that Julius Horsthuis has laid before you, accompanied by excerpts from one of evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins‘ most profound lectures.

(PG-13: Language) “Enter a world where you’re uncoordinated! Experience what it’s like to be clumsy!” Conan O’Brien checks out  a virtual reality game called Wilson’s Heart. It’s either a horror puzzle game or a taste of old age.

Goro Fujita’s “short film” is a looping snapshot of a suburban area. So what makes it so special? It’s entirely in 3D, made for and within virtual reality. Goro spent 80 hours making it in Quill, an illustration app for the Oculus Rift that lets you make both 2D and 3D visual art.

After showing off some of his amazing LEGO railways, BANANENBUURMAN captured a couple of his tracks with a 360º camera mounted directly on the railcar, so you can look around during the journey. If you happen to have a VR headset, it’s even cooler. More here.

If you don’t have a VR headset, you’ll at least want to go fullscreen to experience Wowlab’s mindblowing 360º video which uses bits and pieces of imagery from Tokyo at night to send you on a journey to space and back.

Until now, if you wanted motion control and room-scale tracking for virtual reality, you needed a powerful PC, multiple sensors, and lots of wires. NOLO aims to change this with a reasonably priced system that pairs with smartphones and inexpensive VR headsets.

Conan O’Brien recently stopped by New York City’s YouTube Space to check out their virtual reality lab, where he doodled a 3D self portrait, destroyed some guy’s cubicle, ate some virtual food, and learned how the tech might change our lives (or at least porn) for the better.

Made by the NBA, Oculus and Missing Pieces for the Samsung Gear VR, Follow My Lead: The Story of the 2016 NBA Finals is a 25-minute virtual reality documentary that gives you an immersive look at the Cleveland Cavaliers’ road to their first title. More on Polygon.

I’m Batman, you’re Batman, everybody gets to be Batman. Wear the Batsuit, wield Batman’s gadgets, explore the Batcave, meet allies and enemies and tackle a murder mystery in this PlayStation VR launch title from Arkham series creator Rocksteady Games.

(PG-13: Language) Videogamedunkey tries out the HTC Vive and discovers the wonders of virtual reality, such as a boxing trainer that doubles as a punching bag, having your own cooking show, and plugs. Plugs everywhere.

An emerging musician recovers the hatchback that she used to live in together with her dad, who raised her single-handedly as a street musician. A 360º animated tearjerker from animator and director Patrick Osborne (Feast).

Kingspray is an upcoming virtual reality graffiti simulator for Windows and OS X that uses the HTC Vive. Choose from thousands of paint colors and go wild on realistic textures and locations such as walls, trains and trailers with no fear of jail time.

Valve let folks try the HTC Vive virtual reality headset in a room with a green screen so we can see what the wearers were seeing. Unlike its biggest competition, the Vive comes with motion tracking sensors, which means apps can incorporate movement and gestures.

“What’s realer than real? Probably nothing.” Google unveils the evolution of its affordable virtual reality headset. Cardboard Plastic lets you tap into reality itself, thanks to the magic of holes. Oh, how we wish that Apple did this joke instead.

Virtual Desktop lets Oculus Rift and HTC Vive users wear their goggles and experience their computer desktop on a giant virtual screen, and watch movies like you’re actually in a theater. It supports multiple screens and can play all regular PC games. Drops 3/28/16.

Sony presents a PS4-ready alternative to the Oculus Rift. The launch bundle includes an HD OLED headset, with built in motion sensors, 3D audio, a pair of Move controllers, a Playstation Camera, and VR Worlds. Pre-orders start 7am PDT 3/22/16, and start to ship this October.

Virtual reality isn’t just about playing video games, but that’s certainly a major aspect of the burgeoning technology. It’s no surprise that the Rift will launch with at least 30 games, including space sims, sports games and platformers. Check out the full list here.

John Hatfield took YouTuber Omni Verse’s video collage of 554 The Simpsons episodes all playing at the same time and turned it into a 360º video. We’d tell you to watch it with virtual reality headsets, but we don’t know what kind of hell we might be throwing you into.

Rich people, it’s time to fulfill your destiny. Go forth and test the prophesied messiah of virtual reality for the rest of us. Shipping this March, the Rift will come with an Xbox One controller, a remote control and two games: Eve Valkyrie and Lucky’s Tale. Recommended PC specs here.

Electronic artist Ryan Hemsworth and collaborator Kotomi perform for people all over the world with the help of virtual reality in the music video for Surrounded, from his EP Alone for the First Time.

Golf with giant mechs. The PS4 exclusive 100ft. Giant Robot lets you wreak havoc on Earth (and beyond) to make shots easier for yourself and harder for your opponents. It has real-time and turn-based modes plus a single-player campaign. Compatible with PlayStation VR.