NeosVR

NeosVR is a free-to-play massively multiplayer online virtual reality metaverse created by Solirax. It allows users to interact with one another as avatars and features development tools for players to create games, maps, avatars and more in-game. NeosVR was released for free on Microsoft Windows via Steam on May 4, 2018, and currently supports several different VR headsets.

NeosVR
Developer(s)Solirax
Publisher(s)Solirax
Designer(s)"Frooxius"
EngineHybrid, FrooxEngine (custom) and Unity
Platform(s)Microsoft Windows, Linux
Release
  • Microsoft Windows, Steam May 4th, 2018
Genre(s)Massively multiplayer online
Mode(s)Multiplayer

Gameplay

Gameplay of NeosVR bears similarities to that of VRChat and AltspaceVR.[1][2] Players interact with each other through virtual 2D and 3D avatars capable of lip sync, eye tracking, blinking, and a complete range of motion. While the game is titled "NeosVR", one does not need VR equipment to play the game and may play in a desktop configuration.[3] In this form, there are certain inabilities such as to freely move an avatar's limbs and inability to use some two-handed VR items.

Users may import and create avatars from other games using NeosVR's built-in "avatar creator".[4] In addition to avatars, users can write computer programs using Logix, a node-based programming system implemented entirety within NeosVR.[5][6][7] Logix may be used to drive functionality for avatars, worlds and inventions.

NeosVR's selection of worlds includes minigames, social lounges, and worlds created by the user base. A single user may have several multiplayer worlds simultaneously loaded at once, utilizing NeosVR's FrooxEngine to seamlessly stream between them.[8] Users can customize their own worlds entirely from within NeosVR without the use of external SDKs,[9] though it is possible to upload custom content such as code and furniture for use.

Hardware and software support

NeosVR supports a quantity of VR headsets such as Oculus Rift, Oculus Rift S, Oculus Quest, Oculus Go, Pimax, HTC Vive, Valve Index, and the Windows Mixed Reality headsets.[10] Controllers which support finger presence such the Valve Index allow users to make hand and finger gestures, which can then be linked to activate certain facial expressions, animations, or custom events.

In addition to numerous headsets, NeosVR supports a wide variety of VR accessories such as the Leap Motion finger-tracking module and the HTC Vive Lip tracker, enabling a user to visibly broadcast lower facial expressions and speech.[11] The HTC Vive Pro Eye is also supported, enabling the use of eye presence in select avatars.

Additionally, NeosVR allows for hip and feet tracking, commonly referred to as "full-body" tracking. To accomplish this a user will wear a HTC Virtual Reality System Tracker, AKA a "Vive Tracker Puck" to relay the position of one's body. Movement is then calculated through inverse kinematics, with up to 8 additional trackers to replicate one's physical movement in real time.

Community

NeosVR's popularity is credited to its use by YouTubers and Twitch streamers. NeosVR has also been used by the University of Virginia and the Oxford Artificial Intelligence Society to host meetings and conduct lectures.[12][13]

See also
  • AltspaceVR - a Microsoft-based virtual reality social platform
  • VRChat - similar virtual reality game
  • Sansar - social virtual reality platform developed by the Second Life team

References
  1. October 2016, Kevin Carbotte 01. "NeosVR Lets You Build Virtual Worlds With Others, Remotely And In Real Time". Tom's Hardware. Retrieved 2020-07-24.
  2. "NeosVR sets beta test of 'metaverse engine' for May 4". VentureBeat. 2018-04-28. Retrieved 2020-07-24.
  3. "Command Line Arguments". NeosVR Wiki. Retrieved 2020-07-24.
  4. "3D Model Import". NeosVR Wiki. Retrieved 2020-07-24.
  5. people.csail.mit.edu/dkao/pdf/kao2020fdg2.pdf
  6. James, Paul (2017-02-19). "Watch: 'LogiX' is an Impressive Multi-User Visual Programming Interface for VR". Road to VR. Retrieved 2020-07-22.
  7. James, Paul (2017-05-06). "Watch: NeosVR "Metaverse Engine" World Building in Action, Latest Version Adds Cloud Functionality". Road to VR. Retrieved 2020-07-22.
  8. "Architecture Overview". NeosVR Wiki. Retrieved 2020-07-24.
  9. Hayden, Scott (2019-02-18). "'Neos VR' Update Brings "massive improvements" to User Friendliness, Social Features & More". Road to VR. Retrieved 2020-07-24.
  10. "Supported Features". NeosVR Wiki. Retrieved 2020-07-24.
  11. Pocket-lint (2019-03-18). "HTC made a lip-tracking module for the Vive Pro VR headset". Pocket-lint. Retrieved 2020-07-22.
  12. https://www.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/__data/.../Dispatch-November-2019.pdf%5B%5D
  13. "Virtual Reality World Creation with NEOS VR". Scholars’ Lab. Retrieved 2020-07-24.
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