Oculus Rift consumer version announced
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Xenotone
No comments...doesn't anyone care? Have Valve killed Oculus? Or maybe people are sick of hearing about it until it's actually available.
Hilbert Hagedoorn
Administrator
Much like most people ... VR is a bit of a hype ? I mean I bought the Oculus DK2, like it despite its many deficiencies - but got bored after using it like 3 or 4 times. That combined with the motion sickness .... I doubt this is gonna be significant enough for people to go for it.
Combined with Xbox and a nice Microsoft deal on the other hand, that creates a huge install base.
Denial
I think the problem is VR in general just seems like 3D atm, an extra add-on and not really a new experience. Most people haven't tried it so they can't really get excited about the potential.
I have the DK2, it's ok. I can only play for about an hour or so before getting dizzy and the screen door effect kind of hurts my eyes, they claim the newer ones are better at this so idk, I'd need to see. I also thinks its weird that there are so many kits coming out. Are engines just going to have blanketed support for all of them or what? Dunno, I played around with it for about a month before putting it in the closet, now it collects dust. Elite Dangerous was cool, I will say that.
Fox2232
Facebook made it less than attractive for many. And those money did not bring some great features/speed-up in development. (But i like that controller shown there.)
Valve Vive is top contender for me right now even while developer version looks like it needs some refining as Oculus controller looks much better (But according to some news Oculus will be shipped with gamepad at 1st. And I am not interested in that since I have better already + VR and gamepad... I can think 10 much more immersive controllers.)
I am pretty sure Valve has superior back-end and HTC knows how to deal with screens and chips.
Xenotone
It's not going to catch on if they can't give people hands-on time with the very best experiences. I do actually use my DK2 despite the issues, but I'm definitely in the minority there as a VR enthusiast. The majority of people will need everything to be perfect before they drop such an amount of money.
Xenotone
Do you think the Vive will do better because it's not owned by Facebook? I suspect both platforms will have the same struggles getting VR to the masses and convincing the skeptics.
Have to disagree about the FB money. They've hired a ton of top talent and been able to source new tech such as completely bespoke screens. They couldn't have done that in such a short time without Facebook's money.
0blivious
I'm trying to imagine a world where myself or those around me are wearing something that ugly which completely blocks out reality. I can't see it.
I don't see VR taking off anytime soon. Not when the hardware is even remotely similar to this. I don't know what the hardware should be but I don't want to be wearing a bunch of junk on my head and arms so I can be entertained.
nhlkoho
I was originally really excited about the Oculus but its taken them so long to get a consumer version out that I lost interest. Now that Valve is working on their own I believe theirs is going to be far superior. Of course I'll wait until both have been released to see what the verdicts are, but the Valve model allows you to stand up and move around the room and the Oculus doesn't. That may be fine for most people but for a true VR experience the Valve one is going to be the better unit.
edit: and Oculus finally announces the consumer version and doesn't mention a price. :bang:
Fox2232
It is about what each company monetizes on. Valve gets money from things we want, from content we want as gamers.
What facebook monetizes on? Remember this: "When the product is free you are the product."
Consider what kind of money FB poured there, what is final price and what $ they make per unit. How many units have to be sold? will sales ever return this investment alone?
Valve is ahead in VR technology as reported by many, yet they get there in smart way instead of brute money force way.
And that is reason why I prefer Vive. There is no certainty that Valve/HTC will not screw us later on, but I'll rather take my chances there as I basically hate everything in facebook what's not friend list, chat, personal photo libraries.
Xenotone
I agree with the sentiment; I too hate Facebook, but I'm talking about VR adoption at large, not our unique opinions. Billions use Facebook happily so I don't see that being an issue when it comes to mass adoption of the technology. If anything I think that will actually help get the word out. I think there are much bigger hurdles that both teams will have to cope with, such as comfort, powerful enough PCs, VR scepticism etc.
Fox2232
Thing is that if FB makes some stupid step and alienates part/big part of their Oculus customers, it may kill VR for another 10~20 years.
I do not want that. I can say that my favourite game for 3D Killing Floor and Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light.
Killing floor will be just fine in VR, Guardian of Light will likely not.
And they are not even meant for stereoscopic.
morbias
Not sure I see the value of packaging it with an xbox controller, that will only serve to elevate the price even more and put it further out of reach for most, especially those on the fence who see it simply as a novelty.
They should be focussing on making it cheaper at retail, not more expensive.
Redemption80
Yeah, making it more affordable is the most important thing as it's an even more niche product than 3D, and that is already on it's way out again.
If anything, Facebook might push it towards alot more non gaming uses which is probably the better long term solution as gaming would also benefit.
Texter
It'll probably be hours of fun for anything but playing 3D games.
designerexpert
I like the attempt at making something with stereoscopic immersion, but unless the user can be free of cables and have a decent battery life, most people will chose a high def Screen over a low def wearable one, even if it means losing the stereoscopic immersion effect.
Fox2232
When there were 1st attempts and way those VRs will work was not written in stone I hoped for:
VR goggles detecting position by integrated cameras, 2 cameras in places where eyes are for AR (augmented Reality).
This would allow you to have fun outside in nature (on field) with netbook in backpack and AR. (maybe this new nVidia's VR can do that in time)
Imagine playing Starwars in AR seeing your friends as droids/clones, having virtual tech going around your designated battlefield, having huge aerial battle above your head.
It would be so much fun even for lazy people who would just sit it out in corner giving orders.
Denial
I should point out Ars actually posted an extremely good article about SteamVR earlier today: http://arstechnica.com/gaming/2015/06/steamvr-the-room-scale-vr-world-that-feels-like-an-imax-in-your-house/
It's a good read if you're looking forward to what Valve is doing.
Adil0n
woooow! they added a gamepad?!
http://static.gamesradar.com/images/mb/GamesRadar/us/Features/2011/01/Virtual%20Boy%20games%20on%203DS/VirtualBoy--article_image.jpg
Can't wait to play the witcher with all of those red neon lights
Fox2232
We were talking about this horrific thing of past just today :F
Loophole35
I will be interested in this for racing games hope there will be proper head tracking.
