NeosVR

{{Infobox video game

| title = NeosVR

| image = NeosAssets LOGO 2021 Horizontal FullColor BlackVariant-01-01.png

| alt = NeosVR Logo||

| developer = Solirax

| publisher = Solirax

| designer = Frooxius

| platforms = Microsoft Windows, Linux

| engine = Hybrid, FrooxEngine (custom), and Unity

| released = May 4, 2018

| genre = Massively multiplayer online

| modes = Multiplayer

| programmer = Frooxius

}}

NeosVR is a free-to-play, massively multiplayer online, virtual reality application created by Frooxius and operated by Solirax. It was released for free on Microsoft Windows via Steam on May 4, 2018, with support for several VR headsets.{{Cite web |title=Neos VR on Steam |url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/740250/Neos_VR/ |access-date=2024-09-25 |website=store.steampowered.com |language=en}}

The game allows users to interact with one another as avatars and features development tools for players to create in-game elements such as games and maps. It is also usable without VR in a “desktop” mode through the use of a mouse and keyboard or gamepad.

Gameplay

The gameplay of NeosVR bears similarities to that of VRChat and AltspaceVR.{{Cite web|last=October 2016|first=Kevin Carbotte 01|title=NeosVR Lets You Build Virtual Worlds With Others, Remotely And In Real Time|url=https://www.tomshardware.com/news/neosvr-world-building-engine-devlog,32792.html|access-date=2020-07-24|website=Tom's Hardware|date=October 2016|language=en}}{{Cite web|date=2018-04-28|title=NeosVR sets beta test of 'metaverse engine' for May 4|url=https://venturebeat.com/2018/04/28/neosvr-sets-beta-test-of-metaverse-engine-for-may-4/|access-date=2020-07-24|website=VentureBeat|language=en-US}} Players interact with each other through virtual 2D and 3D avatars capable of lip sync, eye tracking, blinking, and a complete range of motion. The game may be played with either VR equipment or in a desktop configuration.{{Cite web |title=Command Line Arguments |url=https://wiki.neosvr.com/Command_Line_Arguments |access-date=2020-07-24 |website=NeosVR Wiki |language=en}} Some limitations, such as the inability to freely move an avatar’s limbs or perform interactions that require one hand, exist in desktop mode.

NeosVR's selection of worlds includes minigames, social lounges, and worlds created by the user base. A single user may have several multiplayer worlds loaded at the same time.{{Cite web |title=Architecture Overview |url=https://wiki.neosvr.com/Architecture_Overview |access-date=2020-07-24 |website=NeosVR Wiki |language=en}} Users can customize their own worlds entirely from within NeosVR without the use of external SDKs,{{Cite web|last=Hayden|first=Scott|date=2019-02-18|title='Neos VR' Update Brings "massive improvements" to User Friendliness, Social Features & More|url=https://www.roadtovr.com/neos-vr-update-brings-massive-improvements-user-friendliness-social-features/|access-date=2020-07-24|website=Road to VR|language=en-US}} though it is possible to upload custom content such as code and in-game items for use.

Events

Since 2020, NeosVR hosted an annual competition known as the “Metaverse Maker Competition”. Participants are given one month to bring their unique ideas to life using only resources created during the month.{{Cite web |title=MMC 2022 – Creator Jam |url=https://www.creatorjam.org/mmc-2020/ |access-date=2023-12-20 |language=en-US}}

Most Sundays, players could come together at an event hosted by Creator Jam known as creator jams. Each event had a specific topic in which players would build objects and experiences for.{{Cite web |title=About |url=https://www.creatorjam.org/about-1 |access-date=2024-09-25 |website=Creator Jam |language=en}}

Similar to the MMC, Neos Festa was a Japanese-hosted annual event in which players would construct a booth to present their creations.{{Cite web |title=NeosFesta4 |url=https://neos-festa.com/about |access-date=2024-09-25 |website=NeosFesta4 |language=ja}}

Hardware and software support

NeosVR supports many VR headsets such as Oculus Rift, Oculus Rift S, Oculus Quest and Oculus Quest 2 with Quest link, Oculus Go, Pimax headsets, HTC Vive, Valve Index, and the Windows Mixed Reality headsets.{{Cite web |title=Supported Features |url=https://wiki.neosvr.com/Supported_Features |access-date=2020-07-24 |website=NeosVR Wiki |language=en}} Controllers with finger presence detection, like the Valve Index, enable users to perform hand and finger movements that can be used to trigger specific facial expressions, animations, or customized events.

In addition to headsets, NeosVR supports a variety of VR accessories such as the Leap Motion finger-tracking module and the HTC Vive Facial Tracker, enabling a user to visibly broadcast lower facial expressions and speech.{{Cite web|last=Pocket-lint|date=2019-03-18|title=HTC made a lip-tracking module for the Vive Pro VR headset|url=https://www.pocket-lint.com/ar-vr/news/htc/147484-htc-made-a-lip-tracking-module-for-the-vive-pro-vr-headset|access-date=2020-07-22|website=Pocket-lint|language=en-gb}} The HTC Vive Pro Eye is also supported, enabling the use of eye presence in select avatars.

NeosVR also offers support for hip and feet tracking, also known as 'full-body' tracking. Through inverse kinematics, the system calculates movement using up to eight extra trackers to replicate a person's physical movements in real-time.

NeosVR offers native Bhaptics haptic suit support used to immerse a player within the game using vibrations.{{Cite web |date=2020-11-30 |title=Neos VR - Official bHaptics integration, Haptic Feedback Framework, new team member - Steam News |url=https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/740250/view/2882829825180247217 |access-date=2023-12-20 |website=store.steampowered.com |language=en}}

Usage

Users may import and create avatars from 3D models using NeosVR's built-in "avatar creator".{{Cite web |title=3D Model Import |url=https://wiki.neosvr.com/3D_Model_Import |access-date=2020-07-24 |website=NeosVR Wiki |language=en}} In addition to avatars, users can write computer programs using LogiX, a node-based programming system implemented within NeosVR.people.csail.mit.edu/dkao/pdf/kao2020fdg2.pdf{{Cite web |last=James |first=Paul |date=2017-02-19 |title=Watch: 'LogiX' is an Impressive Multi-User Visual Programming Interface for VR |url=https://www.roadtovr.com/watch-logix-impressive-multi-user-visual-programming-interface-vr/ |access-date=2020-07-22 |website=Road to VR |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=James |first=Paul |date=2017-05-06 |title=Watch: NeosVR "Metaverse Engine" World Building in Action, Latest Version Adds Cloud Functionality |url=https://www.roadtovr.com/watch-neosvr-metaverse-engine-world-building-action-latest-version-adds-cloud-functionality/ |access-date=2020-07-22 |website=Road to VR |language=en-US}} LogiX may be used to drive functionality for avatars, worlds and other inventions.

Users are able to create procedural textures and meshes in-game using the in-game component browser.{{Cite web |title=Procedural Meshes |url=https://wiki.neosvr.com/Procedural_Meshes |access-date=2023-12-20 |website=Neos Wiki |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Procedural Textures |url=https://wiki.neosvr.com/Procedural_Textures |access-date=2023-12-20 |website=Neos Wiki |language=en}}

Controversy and fork

In 2023, most of the Neos development team left the company due to disagreements with Solirax, with particular disputes surrounding its promotion of cryptocurrency with the game has receiving primarily negative reviews on Steam as a result since.{{Cite web |title=Neos VR on Steam |url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/740250/Neos_VR/ |access-date=2024-06-16 |website=store.steampowered.com |language=en}} In October 2023, a spiritual successor by the former team known as Resonite launched in early access on Steam.https://www.roadtovr.com/neos-vr-spiritual-successor-resonite-reveal-steamvr/