Godot XR Update: September 2025 and New Features in Godot 4.5
In September 2025, the Godot XR community finds itself in an exciting moment with multiple developments and events planned. Below is a summary of the latest news, including the upcoming Godot XR Community Game Jam and the features that will be introduced in version 4.5 of the engine.
Godot XR Community Game Jam
The Godot XR community will celebrate its fourth Godot XR Community Game Jam starting on September 8, 2025. This event will invite participants to develop a small extended reality (XR) game using the Godot engine. Participants will have one week to complete their projects, with a special emphasis on those who use Godot's XR editor to create their entries.
Such events not only allow participants to experiment with XR development, but they are also considered a valuable opportunity to receive feedback that can help improve the XR editor. Those interested in learning more can take advantage of the XR channel on the official Godot Discord, where they will find resources and support.
Creating a Game Exclusively Using the XR Editor
During the Godot Wild Jam in May 2025, two developers, David and Logan, set themselves an interesting challenge: to create their entry entirely in virtual reality, without using their computers. Their experience was documented in a development video created by Logan, detailing the process of this creative attempt. The community is eager to find out if they managed to complete the challenge.
Pre-release Channels on HorizonOS
To enhance the development and testing of the XR editor, pre-release channels have been established in the Horizon store. These channels include DEV, BETA, and RC (release candidate), allowing the community to access preliminary versions of the XR editor. Interested users can self-enroll in these channels through specific links provided.
Once users join the pre-release channels, they can switch the active channel of the XR editor by visiting the “Settings” page in the viewer, or through the “Version” dropdown menu on the application store page.
New Features in Godot 4.5: Support for Rendering Models
One of the standout features being introduced in Godot 4.5 is support for rendering models, thanks to the newly integrated OpenXR API 1.1.49. This functionality provides access to various 3D assets that can be used during gameplay. The primary focus of this API is to ensure that accurate rendering models are offered for the physical controllers used by the player, ensuring they are correctly placed in the virtual world.
The new rendering models include metadata and tracking data, allowing for complete asset animation and ensuring an appropriate reaction to player interactions, such as buttons being pressed.
The implementation of this feature in Godot was made possible by the Godot Integration Project, funded by Khronos, which facilitated the early implementation of this logic. This allowed for testing in runtime implementations and receiving feedback that contributed to the release of this API. Recently, SteamVR added support for this API in version 2.12, while PICO incorporated it in version 5.14.0, thereby improving compatibility with PICO 4 Ultra devices. Other providers are expected to offer support in the near future as well.
Conclusion
The Godot XR update in September 2025 promises to be an exciting time for the developer community, with unique opportunities to participate in the Godot XR Community Game Jam and experiment with the new features coming in Godot 4.5. As these technologies develop, the Godot engine continues to strengthen its position as a powerful tool for extended reality game development.
For more updates and analysis on Godot and other technologies, readers are invited to continue exploring this blog.
