Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Computing
  3. News

Gear VR blessed with BUTTS: The VR Experience, among other new content

Add as a preferred source on Google

In perhaps the most riveting news story of the decade century, a slew of new content was released on Gear VR today in addition to some tempting promotions. But most importantly, BUTTS!

That’s right, BUTTS: The VR Experience is now available on the Oculus Store, free of charge. It’s a colorful animated short that deals with the realest of the real issues such as love, trust, and “learning what it’s like to be free,” according to the game’s description. BUTTS comes from filmmaker Tyler Hurd, whose past projects include the PlayStation 4 “Greatness Awaits” trailer in addition to a Pokémon X & Y TV advert.

Recommended Videos

“Full of brightness and bliss,” the description reads, “[BUTTS] will make you laugh and cry, and will return you to a place of childlike bliss.”

Truly profound.

unspecified
Image used with permission by copyright holder

That’s not all, however, as the Gear VR catalog expansion also includes two games, Escape Velocity and Neverout, as well as an interactive video called Nomades.

Escape Velocity looks to be a sci-fi exploration game taking place in the year 2038. As an astronaut, you’re tasked with a “routine mission” to the International Space Station, but unfortunately, that doesn’t totally go as you would hope. Instead, you’ll be virtually performing a spacewalk to get yourself back to safety.

Escape Velocity is available starting today for $2.99.

escapevelocity4
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Neverout, on the other hand, is a puzzle game that places you in a tiny room in which you must find your way out. For claustrophobes like myself, that sounds truly revolting. Otherwise, the developer Setapp warns that players should keep in mind “the rooms are not what they appear to be.”

Neverout will set you back an extravagant $7.99 on the Oculus Store.

neverout1
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Lastly, Nomades, like BUTTS, is available for free, though this title is classified as an interactive video. Centered on a character called BUNNI (yes, in all caps), Nomades takes you underwater, educating you on the consequences of pollution in a number of different settings, including coral reefs, waters overrun by sharks, and even ice-coated seas.

Nomades5meters4
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Other updates to Gear VR content include a 50 percent off discount on both Anshar Wars 2 and Audio Arena, effective until February 3.

Gabe Carey
A freelancer for Digital Trends, Gabe Carey has been covering the intersection of video games and technology since he was 16…
Dell XPS 14 (DA14260) Review: Dell’s classic Windows laptop returns, and it’s hard to put down
The icon returns, and shows why it's still relevant
Dell XPS 14 Review: Featured

Quick take

Dell’s XPS line has always carried a certain weight. It is one of those Windows laptop families that people recognize even if they don’t follow laptops too closely. Clean design built with premium materials, sharp displays, and high-end hardware. The Dell XPS 14 DA14260 continues that legacy. 

Read more
Samsung’s secret AI chip could finally cool down Exynos phones
Samsung's GAIA AI chip is landing in laptops first, but its shared DNA with Exynos hints at a real fix for phones down the line.
Samsung Exynos chip illustration.

If you've ever owned an Exynos-powered Galaxy phone, you already know the drill: heavy tasks like capturing back-to-back pictures or photos for a while, heavy gaming, or rendering videos turn your device into a hand warmer. 

In such a situation, the battery bar drops faster than usual as well. Turns out, Samsung might be working on the fix, and it's coming in a way nobody expected.

Read more
Buying a monitor? This Mac app can expose problems before the return window closes
Your new monitor may look perfect, but it doesn't hurt to double check.
Screen Test v1.1

Making a brand-new tech purchase doesn't always carry the guarantee of a perfectly functioning unit. But a tiny Mac app called Screen Test can help you find a defect before it gets too late. Screen Test (version 1.1) is a native macOS utility containing more than 25 patterns and diagnostic tools for evaluating built-in and external displays. It can help reveal dead or stuck pixels, backlight bleeding, and other issues. The app works completely offline, so you don't have to rely on browser tabs or an internet connection.

Every pixel gets scrutinized

Read more