The working group is excited to launch the 1.0 version of the OpenXR specification, and the feedback from the community on the provisional specification released in March has been invaluable to getting us to this significant milestone. Our work continues as we now finalize a comprehensive test suite, integrate key game engine support, and plan the next set of features to evolve a truly vibrant, cross-platform standard for XR platforms and devices. Now is the time for software developers to start putting OpenXR to work.
During SIGGRAPH 2019, multiple companies will demonstrate the OpenXR 1.0 specification. These include Microsoft, Epic Games (which also plans to release OpenXR support for its popular Unreal Engine game development tool) and Varjo. Additionally, an Oculus OpenXR implementation is coming soon for the Rift and Oculus Quest support is planned, too.
Other companies who have publicly pledged support to the new specification include AMD, ARM, HTC, Google, HP, Huawei, Intel, LG, Logitech, Magic Leap, Mozilla, Nokia, NVIDIA, Qualcomm, Razer, Samsung, Sony, Tobii, Unity, and Valve.
Solving XR fragmentation
Without a cross-platform standard, VR and AR applications and engines must use each platform’s proprietary APIs. New input devices need customized driver integration.
OpenXR enables applications to run on any system that exposes the OpenXR APIs. Input device manufacturers will be able to self-integrate their drivers into OpenXR runtimes that expose the device plug-in interface (available in future specification update).
* 1.0 is focused on enabling cross-platform applications. Optional device plugin interface will be supported post V1.0
About the author: With over two decades of experience in gaming journalism, Alessio Palumbo has led the gaming vertical at Wccftech since August 2015. He started working at a young age for Italian websites like Everyeye.it, Gamestar.it, Nextgame.it, and Multiplayer.it before kickstarting the indie English-language publication Worlds Factory as its founder and Editor in Chief.
In the last decade, he has coordinated the overall output of Wccftech's gaming section, managed PR relations, assigned reviews, produced daily news coverage, edited gaming content as needed, and delivered game reviews.
Arguably, his trademark content is the long series of exclusive developer interviews that have been cited by Wikipedia and by the biggest news media and gaming publications.
His passion for technology also makes him knowledgeable when it comes to gaming hardware and tech. His favorite genres include RPGs, MMORPGs, and action/adventure games.
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