HTC Vive Viveport Arcade starts in the public beta

With the help of HTC’s software platform, operators of VR Arcades have access to a large library of pre-licensed VR content, which can be configured for all Vive game stations using a central tool. The comprehensive software solution provides both a front-end consumer interface and a backend that tracks usage data, manages sales and offers a secure billing solution for developers and operators.

In this way, operators and developers don’t have to negotiate individual licensing agreements anymore. In a YouTube video, HTC introduces the advantages of the platform: the operators select the desired VR contents in a program and load them directly to the connected game stations and rooms. Everything else is controlled automatically.

HTC is also allowing arcade operators who charge customers for the hourly use of the HTC Vive, to keep 70% of the revenue generated by arcade sales for the remainder of this year. Previously, the gross was split 50-50. The Viveport Arcade Manager has been in trials in 15 countries and now allows arcades to offer over 700 titles. Additionally, a new Viveport Scene SDK is being offered to developers. The kit will enable them to create effects that get users interested in trying out a certain game or app.

“The holiday is the most important time for developers, and we want to show our appreciation for them…This is a super exciting time. There is so much content out there, with a total of 2,000 titles on the platform around the world”, says Rikard Streiber, senior vice president of virtual reality, HTC

Source: HTC