Metanaut, the creative minds behind the physics sandbox game Gadgeteer, have some exciting news. They’re bringing us Wonder, an anthology of virtual and mixed reality experiences that promise to captivate and enthrall. Set to launch on Quest 3/S in just a couple of months, Wonder is all about providing a "perfect escape" from the hustle and bustle of daily life, according to Metanaut.
The concept of Wonder first emerged in late 2021, and when it debuts this spring, it will feature three original experiences—with more to follow. Here’s a sneak peek at what’s in store:
- Ancient Ruins: Your surroundings transform into a mysterious cave, seemingly engulfed by a black hole.
- Jellyfish Bloom: Dive into a stunning underwater world where bioluminescent jellyfish illuminate your walls and furniture.
- Parallel Worlds: Experience reality-warping portals that reveal alternative versions of your space, from icy landscapes to dotted realms and beyond.
In creating Wonder, Metanaut is pushing the Quest 3’s capabilities with sophisticated rendering techniques that promise photorealistic visuals. These techniques utilize scanned room meshes to immerse you fully, and the experience supports hand tracking, freeing you from the need for controllers.
Complementing this visual feast is a carefully designed soundscape from Ictus Audio, an award-winning music studio with accolades like the John Lennon Songwriting Award under its belt.
Peter Kao, founder of Metanaut, shared his perspective on the current XR industry trends: “It seems like the focus has shifted primarily toward kids and free-to-play content, straying from high-quality, premium games. With Wonder, we aimed to provide a magical journey for the more mature audience, delivering the finest audiovisual experience possible on the latest headsets.”
If Wonder piqued your interest, it’s now available for pre-order at $4. Act quickly because the price is set to rise as more content lands post-launch. Pre-orders are exclusively available for Quest 3 and Quest 3S.
