re: The VR Gaming Thread (Meta Quest, Vive, PSVR)
 

I can agree with that. I just think the whole movie theatre thing is kind of a bad idea. If the Rift is using 1080p screens, and you're in a "virtual" theatre, watching something, then the resolution and picture quality in general just can't be as good as on your TV or monitor. I imagine that the "projected" image on the Rift will lose something in the translation from the 1080p (or worse) source file to the virtual theatre experience.
Like I said, I like the idea of it, but I just can't imagine actually using it for that to watch an actual movie from start to finish.

re: The VR Gaming Thread (Meta Quest, Vive, PSVR)
 

Yeah, definitely. What really gets me excited is thinking five years down the line when 2k/4k resolution becomes possible on these things and systems can drive them. Imagine a VR environment and you can't even see the pixels.

re: The VR Gaming Thread (Meta Quest, Vive, PSVR)
 

Just the lower res Dev Kit.

It is, unfortunately unless you've done your research it sounds no different than the slew of older VR headsets that have been released in the last 20 years.

Once people use it for the first time, they're pretty much sold. I was stoked to see it in my house, called a friend up to come check it out, did not share in the excitement. Tried it out, had to pry it away from him after 20 minutes.

re: The VR Gaming Thread (Meta Quest, Vive, PSVR)
 

When Is this coming out?

re: The VR Gaming Thread (Meta Quest, Vive, PSVR)
 

There's no release date yet for the consumer version, but it's anticipated to be released "sometime" in 2014.

They're also working on a 2nd generation development kit, to come out prior to the consumer version.
http://www.incgamers.com/2013/10/ocu...-kit-confirmed

Meanwhile, you can still order the 1st gen dev git from their site:
https://www.oculusvr.com/order/

re: The VR Gaming Thread (Meta Quest, Vive, PSVR)
 

So the Crystal Cove unit was demoed at CES this year and was basically the highlight of the show.

This new model integrates a camera into the set-up which tracks IR sensors on the face of the Rift to detect head position. In addition, it utilizes a 1080p OLED screen and a new software rendering method that drops extra frames contributing to nausea. I don't really understand the technical side of that last part.

In any case, impressions are motion sickness is basically completely eliminated, and the positional and head tracking has basically been refined to perfection. People report playing for long periods of time with no desire to take it off.

I'm a little disappointed they needed a camera to solve the positional tracking problem, but it's a small price to pay.

re: The VR Gaming Thread (Meta Quest, Vive, PSVR)
 

The one thing that annoys me about any Rift information that comes out are the comments. These people are the most negative people ever. I'm so glad I at least have this forum to discuss gaming with. Every other comment is "vaporware" or "they don't meet deadlines" or some other negative comment. What deadlines has this company missed? At this point I don't think my excitement can be dampened unless they reveal a price tag much much higher than the $300 anticipated. I plan on being a day one buyer.

re: The VR Gaming Thread (Meta Quest, Vive, PSVR)
 

The one thing i see holding the Rift back is you still need keyboard/mouse or a Gamepad. That kills the immersion factor.

re: The VR Gaming Thread (Meta Quest, Vive, PSVR)
 

I think as people purchase it, accessories negating those input options will be released. We already saw that company on Shark Tank with the frictionless treadmill. It's only a matter of time

re: The VR Gaming Thread (Meta Quest, Vive, PSVR)
 

The best ones to me are "They got $75m and this is all they have to show?" keeping it mind it was 3 weeks between the $75m and Crystal Cove at CES, since 3 weeks is a ton of time.

re: The VR Gaming Thread (Meta Quest, Vive, PSVR)
 

Totally agree Spain, although it depends on the site. The Verge for example usually has pretty positive comments. Engadget is probably the worst. Every time they post an article about it, there is a chorus of morons who say the product will never ship (despite already shipping 50k units), that it looks too heavy (despite people reporting shipped units weigh less than ski goggles), and that "no one wants to wear 3D glasses" (ignoring the whole point of VR). It is ridiculous because quite frankly, what Oculus have accomplished in a year is nothing short of astounding.

I think part of the problem is that unless you've experienced the Rift or something similar, it is really impossible to imagine what it is like. I remember when I first got 3D vision set up how mind blowing it was to me that a game character or object in the game looked so realistic you could reach out and touch it. The way all those fancy textures convert into 3D space is stunning and unexpected. While I haven't used the Rift, I think people who have can attest to an even more dramatic and convincing reaction.

We also have to acknowledge there are probably a lot of console players who won't even get a chance to use the Rift and need to console (ha!) themselves over that fact.

Check out the Oculus subreddit if you want a good Rift focused community. It is kind of the central hub for interested fans and Oculus employees.

re: The VR Gaming Thread (Meta Quest, Vive, PSVR)
 

A little bit, no doubt. Which is why all the best demos see the player seated in a cockpit of some kind to mitigate that break in immersion. I think after a few minutes you will forget about the controls to some extent.

On that note though, I'm really excited for the future of games designed for VR. For so long, games have been tied to manipulating controllers. Like in the SNES days, the challenge of a game was being skillful with the controller to move your character around floating platforms. Today, it is being skillful with the controller to move your crosshairs over a target. Of course strategy and immersion have also been part of it, but primarily it is about the controls.

With the Rift, I see games moving past that and being more about the experience of the game itself. As you correctly point out, the controls will just be a barrier to immersion that needs to be mitigated as much as possible so the experience feels real. I'm not sure how though.

re: The VR Gaming Thread (Meta Quest, Vive, PSVR)
 

It is very disheartening to me to see the consoles not make more moves to push the Rift to their platform. Sony showing their thousand dollar VR glasses was frustrating. How can they show that with a straight face while the Rift is winning best of show awards for 2 years straight?

The thing is, I am a console gamer. I am not a fan of PC gaming. When the option is available I'm picking up the console version of a game before I pick up the PC version, even when it is categorically superior. I just prefer the ease. I like sitting on my couch. I like having a controller to mouse/keyboard combos.

However, if I have to build a gaming PC to fully utilize the Rift, I am ready to do that. I have been waiting for a development like this my whole life. I haven't even used it, but reading the reports, watching the YouTube videos, and following the experiences of those who have picked up the Developer version has me incredibly excited.

re: The VR Gaming Thread (Meta Quest, Vive, PSVR)
 

...with Steam/Big Picture, Xbox 360 Wireless controllers (most games auto-map to it, and will change on-screen icons from say, "ENTER", to "A" on the fly), hell Wireless HDMI... PC Gaming is easier than ever (and cheaper, used to be a $200 card got you medium settings on current stuff. Now it pretty much maxes out most games at 1080p, and includes a free few games to boot (mine came with Splinter Cell Blacklist and Assassin's Creed 4).)

But I would like console support myself.

re: The VR Gaming Thread (Meta Quest, Vive, PSVR)
 

I doubt that things like this will be more than a novelty. Useful mainly for fitness and the occasional game. How many gamers really want to spend hours of gaming time walking, running, and jumping?

For the Oculus Rift to become an integral part of gaming, it should focus on enhancing the couch experience rather than on trying to get gamers off of the couch.

re: The VR Gaming Thread (Meta Quest, Vive, PSVR)
 

I see the primary control method (down the road) being motion based like the Hydra or Kinect to track your hands. Maybe something like Playstation Move so you can have a joystick and some buttons too. You don't really need dual sticks with the Rift since you can look around on your own. Only need to go forwards, backwards, and turn.

re: The VR Gaming Thread (Meta Quest, Vive, PSVR)
 

I definitely want movement and aim removed from the look function if at all possible for future FPS developed for the Rift. For example, I hope they develop a way that you could shoot at someone in the peripheral of your vision. I also want to run in one direction while scanning the room by looking. Also being able to blind fire around a corner would be nice. This is getting a little off topic now though I think.

re: The VR Gaming Thread (Meta Quest, Vive, PSVR)
 

Yeah, I'm curious how disorienting mouse look would be in combination with head tracking.

Valve showed off their VR prototype at Steam Dev Days for a selection of developers. Apparently it was incredible. They took it a step beyond the rift and attached external facing cameras to the head-set, which tracked sensors around an empty room, allowing players to move around naturally in 3D environments. Apparently it was totally convincing and blew the minds of everyone who tried it. The headset was also a bit more advanced than the Rift, supposedly running two 1080p+ displays for higher resolution and FOV. It also had the head tracking and low persistence shown with on the Crystal Cove Rift.

Not a consumer product obviously, but it sounds pretty amazing, and Valve's commitment to the platform is huge.

re: The VR Gaming Thread (Meta Quest, Vive, PSVR)
 

GDC. Sony has unveiled their PS4 VR prototype. Not to be outdone, Oculus today announced preorders of the developer kit version 2. Specs include a 1080p screen, positional tracking, low persistence, and 100 degree FOV. Basically the "crystal cove" prototype shown a few months back. $350 and it ships in July.

I'm very tempted, as always, but the even better news is that Oculus have confirmed the consumer release will have even greater resolution, probably 1440p. Very exciting stuff.

This really seems to be the year of VR. I've basically stopped gaming in anticipation, because most everything I play seems derivative and generic. These new experiences can't come soon enough IMO.

re: The VR Gaming Thread (Meta Quest, Vive, PSVR)
 

http://www.theverge.com/2014/3/19/55...it-2-announced

Video at the link is good. It shows the cool demo Oculus had on display, where two Rift players sit in a virtual living room with controllers as if playing a console, but they are playing a fighting game in the living room, the characters jumping on coffee tables and bookshelves, even the other player. The whole time you can just look around as if actually sitting there. Clever concept.

re: The VR Gaming Thread (Meta Quest, Vive, PSVR)
 

Facebook to acquire Oculus VR for $2 billion
http://www.polygon.com/2014/3/25/554...s-vr-2-billion

Get ready to POKE like you've never poked before.

re: The VR Gaming Thread (Meta Quest, Vive, PSVR)
 

Nice they got the cash, but this is so disheartening. Creator of Minecraft has already canceled the official port. Terrible news.

re: The VR Gaming Thread (Meta Quest, Vive, PSVR)
 

Huge win for Sony

re: The VR Gaming Thread (Meta Quest, Vive, PSVR)
 

It sounds like a horrible development, but let's wait and see what actually happens. Surely they won't make it exclusive to Facebook games or something.

re: The VR Gaming Thread (Meta Quest, Vive, PSVR)
 

Don't see how this is in any way a good idea for Facebook. At least Sony is in the electronics business.

re: The VR Gaming Thread (Meta Quest, Vive, PSVR)
 

WTF??? I read the headline and had to check and be sure it wasn't April Fools. This is just about the most awful news I've heard.

re: The VR Gaming Thread (Meta Quest, Vive, PSVR)
 

I sincerely hope this is Facebook's way of diversifying their portfolio, and not some lamebrain attempt to integrate VR into the Facebook ecosystem. You think autoplay ads are annoying now? Just wait until they fill your entire field of vision!

re: The VR Gaming Thread (Meta Quest, Vive, PSVR)
 

re: The VR Gaming Thread (Meta Quest, Vive, PSVR)
 

Went from kickstarter, to going on shark tank and now billionaire

re: The VR Gaming Thread (Meta Quest, Vive, PSVR)
 

They were on Shark Tank? Really?

re: The VR Gaming Thread (Meta Quest, Vive, PSVR)
 

They were not. It was a guy who created a companion device for oculus and showed his device in conjunction with it.

re: The VR Gaming Thread (Meta Quest, Vive, PSVR)
 

No. A peripheral company went on with a treadmill type thing. They used the Rift.

re: The VR Gaming Thread (Meta Quest, Vive, PSVR)
 

re: The VR Gaming Thread (Meta Quest, Vive, PSVR)
 

I'm personally sick of the whole "I'm better than Facebook" mentality associated with tech bloggers. It's a big company, they make money with ads, you know like Google.

I think this is a good thing as long as they can run independently, and since it's so different from what Facebook normally does I don't see that being a problem.

That episode of Shark Tank was funny just because there's no way in hell that company is worth $20m.

re: The VR Gaming Thread (Meta Quest, Vive, PSVR)
 

Woops sorry guys, I thought it was the same guys.

re: The VR Gaming Thread (Meta Quest, Vive, PSVR)
 

Despite what I wrote above, the shitstorm this unleashed online has shocked me. I'm not a fan of Facebook, and will miss the vibe of Oculus pre-acquisition, but after reading Palmer's posts on Reddit I also think this could be a good thing in the end. It sounds like the consumer version we will end up with will be superior to what it would have otherwise been.

re: The VR Gaming Thread (Meta Quest, Vive, PSVR)
 

I think it will help the product as well, but I just really hate the bellyaching online. I mean I get it, the internet as a whole is pretty immature but jesus is it annoying.

re: The VR Gaming Thread (Meta Quest, Vive, PSVR)
 

I'll admit I was pretty disappointed when I saw the news. I did think that the cash infusion would help to get the consumer version out faster, but I just don't know what products Facebook has purchased that they have improved. This was also right after they purchased WhatsApp, a product I use daily, so it really irked me. Hopefully it works out for the best. I still want VR to succeed more than anything.

re: The VR Gaming Thread (Meta Quest, Vive, PSVR)
 

They're building a portfolio. In general, if it's a bigger name, Facebook tends to buy these companies and let them operate on their own. I think that's the best way to do it, though there is less incentive for the creators to do hard work after that fat of a payday.

Though they also did pay $19 billion for an instant messaging app and $8.5m for a domain name (fb.com).

re: The VR Gaming Thread (Meta Quest, Vive, PSVR)
 

Oculus is no longer indie and "sold out" so they're not cool anymore. :p