Owlchemy Labs and Resolution Games have exciting news for their fans—some of their most beloved titles are heading to the new Android XR platform. This innovative operating system from Google is set to launch with Samsung’s anticipated ‘Project Moohan’ mixed reality headset, which is expected to hit the market in 2025. Unlike previous attempts like Daydream, Android XR is a full-fledged Android version crafted to work seamlessly with XR headsets. It promises to deliver both a vast array of traditional Android apps and a host of immersive XR content.
Owlchemy Labs and Resolution Games have long been pioneers in the XR arena. It’s no surprise these seasoned studios are leaping at the chance to be first movers in this new space. They have consistently shown robust support for key VR platforms, making this development an expected but welcome progression.
Both companies have separately announced which of their hit games will be part of this new venture. Owlchemy Labs is bringing ‘Job Simulator’ (2016) and its popular sequel ‘Vacation Simulator’ (2019) to the Android XR line-up. Resolution Games is also joining the party, confirming that ‘Demeo’ (2021) will be available on the platform.
Reminiscent of Apple’s Vision Pro, Samsung’s Project Moohan boasts impressive features like hand and eye-tracking. In addition to these sophisticated capabilities, similar to the Quest, it will also support first-party motion controllers and PC VR streaming, creating a unique hybrid experience for users.
For developers like Owlchemy Labs and Resolution Games, who have already incorporated hand and eye-tracking features into their games for Vision Pro, transitioning to the Android XR platform looks straightforward. Unity’s early support for Android XR, which includes the OpenXR software standard, has certainly made the task more manageable.
Owlchemy Labs shared in a press release that creating immersive experiences for Android XR was simplified thanks to its integration with the Unity engine. The functionality was largely accessible via Unity APIs, eliminating the need for additional third-party libraries, which ensured their existing Unity-based games could transition smoothly to the XR environment.
Resolution Games’ CTO, Johan Gästrin, echoed these sentiments, pointing out Google’s alignment with their vision for social experiences in XR environments. He praised Google’s initiative, labeling it a significant move in the XR field.
These three titles present excellent entry points for newcomers to XR, ranging from the zany antics in ‘Job Simulator’ to the compelling cross-platform multiplayer experience of ‘Demeo’. Nonetheless, it’s still unclear how quickly other XR developers will flock to Android XR, particularly since Project Moohan’s overall success remains to be seen. The key unknown factors—specifically the headset’s pricing, detailed specifications, and its exact release date—will play crucial roles in its adoption.
