Owlchemy Labs and Resolution Games have exciting news for the gaming community: they’re gearing up to support Android XR, which means some of their fan-favorite games will soon be available on Google’s fresh XR operating system.
Now, let’s talk about Android XR. It’s gearing up to make its grand entrance on Samsung’s ‘Project Moohan,’ a mixed reality headset expected to hit the consumer market in 2025. This isn’t just another version of Daydream; it’s a robust adaptation of Android designed specifically for XR headsets. This system will not only handle the immense library of regular Android apps but will also deliver immersive XR experiences.
These two studios, Owlchemy Labs and Resolution Games, are no strangers to the XR scene. With their extensive experience across major VR platforms, they are once again leveraging their ‘first mover’ advantage. This move is quite fitting for two of the most seasoned players in the XR industry.
Through individual announcements, Owlchemy Labs shared that their beloved VR titles, Job Simulator (2016) and Vacation Simulator (2019), are heading to Android XR. Not to be outdone, Resolution Games confirmed that Demeo (2021) will make the leap too.
Samsung is also showcasing Project Moohan’s capabilities, such as hand and eye-tracking, which are similar to what Apple Vision Pro offers. But there’s more: Project Moohan is set to include first-party motion controllers and PC VR streaming, blending features reminiscent of both Apple Vision Pro and Quest.
For Owlchemy Labs and Resolution Games, transitioning their games to Android XR seems fairly straightforward. They’ve already integrated hand and eye-tracking in their titles on Vision Pro. Thanks to Unity’s immediate support for Android XR and the inclusion of the OpenXR software standard, the porting process appears to be less complex.
Owlchemy Labs expressed excitement about this new platform, noting, “Developing for Android XR offered us a streamlined approach to creating immersive experiences that can run on diverse XR devices,” as shared in a press release. They emphasized that the integration with Unity simplified the porting process, allowing their existing Unity-based games to smoothly transition into the XR environment.
Resolution Games echoed this sentiment. Johan Gästrin, the CTO, remarked that Google’s move aligns with their vision for social experiences in the XR realm, describing Google’s involvement as “a prominent stance in the [XR] space.”
These titles provide an easy entry point for newcomers to the XR world. Whether it’s the quirky fun of Job Simulator or the engaging multiplayer board game experience of Demeo, there’s something for everyone. However, there’s still uncertainty about whether other XR studios will jump on board with Android XR as quickly. Much hinges on Project Moohan’s success, including its pricing, specifications, and launch date, which remain under wraps for now.
