HTC Just Launched a Virtual Reality App Store With $1 Content, By Matt Peckham

A visitor tests the new 'Vive steam VR' virtual device at the HTC stand on the second day of the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona on February 23, 2016. — A visitor tests the new ‘Vive steam VR’ virtual device at the HTC stand on the second day of the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona on February 23, 2016.

Leading title prices slashed for 48-hour launch sale

HTC’s app store for its Vive virtual reality headset expands globally Friday after launching solely in China earlier this year. It’s called Viveport, and HTC says that for the next 48 hours (from 12:00 a.m. PT September 30), it’s marking “several marquee titles” down to a buck a piece. That includes stuff like Mars Odyssey, a normally $8 NASA Lander and Rover infused romp across the red planet, as well as Firebird – La Peri, an otherwise $10 visual fantasy set to French composer Paul Dukas’ ballet.

HTC’s teasing a mystery, too, obviously hoping to drum up social media followers: Keep tabs on the company’s hijinks, and it promises to “relay a secret message that will reopen a path to unlimited Viveport content for worthy contenders.”