Flutter's PokerStars VR to launch as free-to-play social casino title for Meta's Quest Pro headset

Flutter Entertainment has announced the launch ofPokerStars VR, a new title for Meta's Quest Pro mixed reality headset, to make its debut on October 25. PokerStars VR will be a free-to-play social casino game that does not present an opportunity to win real money.

PokerStars VR will be one of a select number of game titles chosen to launch alongside Meta’s flagship device, which offers players "enhanced performance as well as a full-color passthrough" for a full mixed-reality experience, face and eye tracking, and other cutting-edge technologies.

The PokerStars VR developers, Lucky VR, have been "busy behind the scenes dreaming up new ways to take full advantage of thesenext-generation capabilities and integrate them into the free-to-play social casino videogame," the company wrote.

Players using Quest Pro will be able to adapt their surroundings to suit their playing habits. Options will include a fully immersive virtual reality experience, partial immersion that brings objects or spaces from their physical world into the game through editable ‘passthrough windows’, and full mixed reality that enables players to bring core virtual game elements into their own world.

Face and eye-tracking will also bring "a new social dimension" to PokerStars VR, Flutter noted. The hallmark upgrade enables players to make and see realistic facial expressions in their customized avatars.

"Players can sit down together and smile, frown, and glance at their cards, just like a live environment. Advanced haptics will meanwhile add to richer, more engaging gameplay with players getting the full experience of the hundreds of toys, props and items available," the company said. 

James O’Reilly, Director of VR and Innovation at PokerStars, said: “Our goal with PokerStars VR is to push the potential of new technologies as far as we can to create a fun and authentic social casino game that really is limitless.”

“We’re extremely proud to be part of the launch of Meta’s Quest Pro, which is a transformation in virtual and mixed reality. Our developers have been having great fun exploring what this technology means for our players and we can’t wait to show them what we have in store," the executive added.

PokerStars VR is an authentic, free-to-play social casino game that allows players to take on others from around the world in visually stunning environments. Games includeroulette, blackjack, slots, and poker, including cash games, multi-table and Sit & Go tournaments and Spin and Go’s. Last week, PokerStars VR also announcedthe launch of Craps, bringing "a brand-new community game" to its Casino One environment.

PokerStars VR uses Tox Mod, an AI live chat monitoring tool, to assist its dedicated moderation team. Players also have access to a range of in-game safety tools including the option to take time out from games, set spending limits, issue player reports, and customize the extent of their interaction with others in-game.