Google’s XR Studio Launches Android-Exclusive Mixed Reality Game

Google’s XR development studio, Owlchemy Labs, has introduced a fresh mixed reality game available only on Android XR platforms. This new experience builds upon the popular Job Simulator universe, offering a playful glimpse into the studio’s latest spatial computing experiments. The release coincides with the launch of Samsung’s Galaxy XR headset, currently the sole Android XR device on the market.

Owlchemy Labs, creators of the acclaimed VR titles Job Simulator and Vacation Simulator, has ported both games to the Samsung Galaxy XR. They also unveiled a free mixed reality experience titled Inside[JOB]. Described in their announcement as an “interactive XR playground,” it features the series’ robotic character JobBot exploring your actual environment. This isn’t a full sequel but a demonstration of their newest hand-tracking technology wrapped in a series of amusing repair tasks.

Inside[JOB] blends passthrough mixed reality with full virtual reality segments set in the familiar Job Simulator world. Players can adjust system settings, fish for data, and fix computers. The studio emphasizes this project lets them refine their hand-tracking capabilities while delivering the signature chaotic and humorous hands-on interaction that made their earlier games so memorable.

The Samsung Galaxy XR headset, priced at $1,800, launched alongside this exclusive content. Inside[JOB] is available for free download from the Google Play Store. The headset’s premium cost positions it as a high-end device, more akin to a professional or enthusiast tool than a mainstream consumer product at this stage.

For most gamers, the current price of entry makes the Galaxy XR an unlikely candidate for major, system-selling exclusive games. It functions as a more affordable alternative to devices like the Apple Vision Pro, with the added benefit of Android app compatibility and potential ports from the Quest library. This makes it particularly appealing to XR enthusiasts and businesses developing enterprise applications, though its broader consumer appeal remains limited.

A significant question is what strategic direction Owlchemy Labs will take next. The studio, responsible for some of VR’s best-selling titles, is likely waiting for the optimal moment to make a major move. Porting their existing games to Android XR has provided a valuable opportunity to experiment with advanced immersion features like native hand, eye, and face tracking. While other established XR studios are undoubtedly interested in leveraging these hardware capabilities to deepen user engagement, it’s uncertain whether these features alone will drive widespread adoption.

The next significant wave of XR headset adoption will likely arrive when consumers have a clear choice between a budget-friendly Android XR device, a next-generation Meta Quest, and potentially a rumored headset from Valve. Future hardware will need to offer not just advanced tracking but also higher resolutions, greater processing power, and improved comfort, all at a price point that resonates with the average buyer.

Currently, only a few consumer headsets incorporate face and eye-tracking, such as the VIVE XR Elite, Pico 4 Pro, and the premium Apple Vision Pro. None have yet achieved the market penetration necessary to seriously challenge Meta’s Quest platform. Meta itself learned from its Quest Pro experience, ultimately discontinuing the model after price reductions, showing that even advanced features struggle without the right cost-to-value ratio.

For now, it appears Owlchemy Labs and many other developers are using these high-end, prosumer headsets as sophisticated development kits. They are preparing for the eventual arrival of a more affordable and capable consumer generation that can truly popularize immersive mixed reality experiences. The exact timeline for that future, however, remains unclear.

(Source: NewsAPI VR/AR Entertainment)