Meta has announced that the next Quest Gaming Showcase will take held on June 1, and that it will expose twice as many games, applications, and improvements as the 2022 showcase.
As in previous years, these showcases allow Meta to reveal the VR software that it and its partners have been developing for its VR headsets, the Oculus Quest 2 and Meta Quest Pro. We’ve seen some significant announcements in the last several years, with some of the greatest Oculus Quest 2 titles appearing in the 2021 and 2022 showcases. As a result, expect several interesting announcements for this year’s event as well.
One thing we don’t expect to see is an Oculus Quest 3 unveiling, or any VR gear for that matter. Based on past occurrences, Meta may use the chance to promote its forthcoming headset, but a complete announcement is most likely being saved for its Meta Connect 2023 exhibition in October. Its June Showcase is usually centered on software, and its October Connect is mainly focused on hardware.
If you wish to see the forthcoming showcase, it will take place on June 1, 2023, at 10 a.m. PT / 6 p.m. BST / June 2 at 3 a.m. ACT. Meta hasn’t said where or how you may watch, but we expect it will give Facebook and YouTube livestream connections shortly.
What we expect from the Meta showcase
But rather than dwelling on what will not be on display, let us speculate on what we might see instead of the Quest 3 at the upcoming Meta event.
As previously said, Meta has hinted that this year’s event would provide “double the news” of its 2022 exposition. We were treated to 12 new games and improvements last year, so this year we may expect 24 announcements.
We anticipate that many of the announcements will be updates to software that we currently like. This may take the shape of a new Walkabout Mini Golf course, a new Beat Saber music pack, or a new Gorilla Tag locale to explore, among other things.
Additionally, Meta teased a number of projects that have yet to be released, so keep an eye out for those. Ghostbusters: Rise of the Ghost Lord, which was revealed during last year’s presentation as Ghostbusters VR, will most certainly be shown off again, possibly with a release date disclosure. We may also hear more about GTA: San Andreas VR, which was teased at Meta’s 2021 expo but has remained silent since.
We wouldn’t be shocked if Meta also revealed additional information regarding Xbox Game Pass streaming and Microsoft’s Office apps for its VR devices. Meta and Microsoft indicated that Xbox game streaming and the Office suite of productivity applications will be coming to Quest headsets during the Meta Quest Pro launch at Meta Connect 2022. If we’re lucky, we’ll learn when these applications will be available during the June presentation.
It’s more difficult for us to predict what new games and applications will be released, but we have a few ideas.
For starters, we anticipate (read: hope) that mixed reality will play a key role. The Meta Quest Pro and comparable mixed reality headsets (such as the HTC Vive XR Elite) are hampered by a scarcity of quality mixed reality games and apps. With the Quest 3 set to pursue mixed reality as well, Meta would be wise to fill out its catalog now so that when the new hardware launches, players can take full advantage of its capabilities – and so that current Meta Quest Pro owners don’t feel too left out.
As for a wild guess, we’re going with Call of Duty VR. VR headsets are home to many incredible titles, but they presently lack the enormously iconic gaming brands available on traditional consoles – games like GTA San Andreas VR and Call of Duty VR would alter that, and would certainly drive a large number of new gamers to Meta’s platform.
The concept isn’t too ridiculous. Activision Blizzard, the parent company of Call of Duty, is in the process of being purchased by Microsoft, which has already struck partnerships with Meta to deliver its games to Quest headsets. Furthermore, an announcement of Call of Duty VR would demonstrate to regulators that Microsoft and Activision are not hoarding the Call of Duty IP.
Given how long game development takes, it’s unlikely that such an announcement would be in response to UK regulators blocking the acquisition; however, given that the deal has been in the works for over a year, it’s not out of the question that the concept could have been worked out many months ago and development could have begun.
But don’t get your hopes up. This is a pipe fantasy, and we’d be shocked if Call of Duty VR was launched at Meta’s June 2023 gaming event. If it isn’t, you’ll be able to enjoy all of the other announcements as well as the vast array of excellent VR games that are already accessible on your Quest headset.
