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Unity CEO: VR Will Get Huge, But Devs Need to Survive and Avoid Hype Until it Does
- Thread starter vermadas
- Start date
nah, I still want to play iRacing or Elite in VR. Except for the case you re talking Star Trek Holodeck level AR ^^
@topic
Imho the market went bad for us devs. Too much shovelware and free games out there Very hard to compete as you can't just make a video and screens like everywhere else. People either think "Oh this is one of those shitty things" or "not going to spend money on that one. Got free alternatives".
Just the hyped stuff or wave shooters are worth the while.
Had a hard time deciding to make another VR game.
Always-honest
Banned
Yeah there is nothing more immersive. It's just babysteps and still a bit expensive right now. But no doubt this and augmented reality will become huge in gaming.
I think most of people that have a VR are happy with it, despites the lack of huge amount of games for it.
I play it little with my PSVR just because the time is what it is, and I have to play also other games... but every time I use it I'm amazed on how incredible already is VR and I can't wait to see where it will take us on the next step.
VR will be a success, it's just a matter of time... 3D was always shit, never liked it personally nor in films nor in games, completely useless really.
I play it little with my PSVR just because the time is what it is, and I have to play also other games... but every time I use it I'm amazed on how incredible already is VR and I can't wait to see where it will take us on the next step.
VR will be a success, it's just a matter of time... 3D was always shit, never liked it personally nor in films nor in games, completely useless really.
boneyjangles
Member
I'm a believer/convert.
I expected a big view-filling screen right in front of my face (not dissimilar from gaming on a projector screen) with janky motion tracking and controls.
What i got instead was SO 3D it felt like the matrix (with aliasing - but it was a ps4 non-pro), head tracking and motion controls that were good enough that I didn't give them a thought during play. (yeah I know Vive/Occulus have better ones).
The potential for immersion is unparalleled. But Resident Evil's direction control mechanism (to save/cure motion sickness) made me realize there are control issues to be resolved before it feels really free and natural.
I expected a big view-filling screen right in front of my face (not dissimilar from gaming on a projector screen) with janky motion tracking and controls.
What i got instead was SO 3D it felt like the matrix (with aliasing - but it was a ps4 non-pro), head tracking and motion controls that were good enough that I didn't give them a thought during play. (yeah I know Vive/Occulus have better ones).
The potential for immersion is unparalleled. But Resident Evil's direction control mechanism (to save/cure motion sickness) made me realize there are control issues to be resolved before it feels really free and natural.
The most damaging move for VR is in my opinion the release of PlayStation VR. Sony is using the hype to make a small profit, but could burn out the audience before the tech is actually ready for the mainstream audience.
VR right now, is still in a experimental era. We at least are finally able to focus more on the software and user experience. Before we needed to overcome the challenge of actually getting a VR device finished and not having developers and a niche audience to pay a few tausend of dollars for it.
VR right now, is still in a experimental era. We at least are finally able to focus more on the software and user experience. Before we needed to overcome the challenge of actually getting a VR device finished and not having developers and a niche audience to pay a few tausend of dollars for it.
A(ugmented)R and V(irtual)R are two completely different concepts. One is creating a digital layer over the real world and the other is creating new virtual worlds. Technically AR could simulate VR, but there will be always a giant performance difference or depth of experience.
The_Spaniard
Netmarble
Holy crap, beat me to this.
Yep!
Felt the immersion in a pretty awesome/terrifying way again yesterday.
RE7, walking through water up to your neck... I really had a harder time breathing. And felt relieved when i was out of the water
Spaced Harrier
Member
The tech isn't here yet posts aren't right to me.
The Tech's here. VR is impressive, persistent, persuasive and present.
Sure the tech will mature and improve, that's true of everything.
PS VR is a generation ahead in terms of industrial design and ergonomics. With a high refresh true sub pixel resolution vivid Oled.
Oculus and Vive have the advanced controller tracking and higher general resolution per eye multi screen set up.
And vive has the room scale movement.
Gen 2 and 3 will combine those features and add new ones like foviated rendering. And of course the big one, wireless.
But VR is here and fundamentally works with the future revisions. And yet it's not exactly setting the world on fire.
The content is missing. I believe that VR has its killer apps in Rez and Resident Evil and more than that, proof it can be more than just "experiences". But I'm not seeing much on the horizon that convinced me the rest are coming.
Resident Evil 8 will probably have a VR option.
But will will Resi 9? I doubt it.
The Tech's here. VR is impressive, persistent, persuasive and present.
Sure the tech will mature and improve, that's true of everything.
PS VR is a generation ahead in terms of industrial design and ergonomics. With a high refresh true sub pixel resolution vivid Oled.
Oculus and Vive have the advanced controller tracking and higher general resolution per eye multi screen set up.
And vive has the room scale movement.
Gen 2 and 3 will combine those features and add new ones like foviated rendering. And of course the big one, wireless.
But VR is here and fundamentally works with the future revisions. And yet it's not exactly setting the world on fire.
The content is missing. I believe that VR has its killer apps in Rez and Resident Evil and more than that, proof it can be more than just "experiences". But I'm not seeing much on the horizon that convinced me the rest are coming.
Resident Evil 8 will probably have a VR option.
But will will Resi 9? I doubt it.
The Greek Freak
Member
Hard not to be doom and gloom about vr when morons were acting like the occulus release was going to change the world but its just a platform for overpriced lightgun games.
Neither the hardware or software has impressed me at all besides super hot.
I wonder if VR would have it easier to be established in an arcade style way. Probably people would like it more to just go to a place experience VR before they invest to bring the hardware at home.
I think one of it's biggest problem is that people aren't used to use a device by putting it on and shutting themselves completely off from the world outside. I think it's something people first need to get used to that idea before they would try it.
I think one of it's biggest problem is that people aren't used to use a device by putting it on and shutting themselves completely off from the world outside. I think it's something people first need to get used to that idea before they would try it.
The Greek Freak
Member
This has always been my issue, and can only imagine it being way worse for someone with kids.
90% of my gaming time is either on my treadmill or with my wife in the same room reading/playing as well/watching some show.
Not interested in shutting myself off from the world.
Steve McQueen
Member
I never hoped I was going this to say this but after loads of fun my PSVR isn't getting much playtime. I hope E3 will deliver. If not, I might sell it 
Neuromancer
Member
The hottest of takes
JonnyDBrit
Member
Right now, VR's financial model and intended use simply does not match its cost. It wants to be a mainstream product - just any other thing for games - but is effectively priced (once one considers all the additional hardware, especially if you want multiplayer) at a very high premium. It either needs to get cheaper overall very quickly, needs to be cheaply accessible in spite of its high unit costs, or quite simply target uses outside of what is, for most people, a hobby.
The middle point is why when threads like these come up, I stress the idea of VR taking inspiration from the arcade. Relatively high power, expensive tech that a person temporarily plays with for a fraction of the cost. I would legitimately bet people would be willing to sink a few dollars to mess around in Virtual Rick-ality, or rent a set out to play Star Trek Bridge Crew.
The latter point then would be getting VR hardware into places where, honestly, gaming and the sunk investment on software wouldn't be the point. Places like education and architecture, or where the two overlap in history. Some work in this regard is being done - my own University experimenting with VR to explore and experience what it was like to traverse ancient Rome - but I don't think it's yet common place enough versus the current standard of diagrams and 3D models you observe externally.
The middle point is why when threads like these come up, I stress the idea of VR taking inspiration from the arcade. Relatively high power, expensive tech that a person temporarily plays with for a fraction of the cost. I would legitimately bet people would be willing to sink a few dollars to mess around in Virtual Rick-ality, or rent a set out to play Star Trek Bridge Crew.
The latter point then would be getting VR hardware into places where, honestly, gaming and the sunk investment on software wouldn't be the point. Places like education and architecture, or where the two overlap in history. Some work in this regard is being done - my own University experimenting with VR to explore and experience what it was like to traverse ancient Rome - but I don't think it's yet common place enough versus the current standard of diagrams and 3D models you observe externally.
Dee Dah Dave
Member
When it's similar in size to a bulky pair of glasses, wireless, relatively cheap, and no junk required to be placed around the room. Then it will be ready for prime time.
But AR will be the biggest for more every day use. 20 years and 'everyone' will be using it.
But AR will be the biggest for more every day use. 20 years and 'everyone' will be using it.
keraj37
Member
Prices have dropped though. And they will continue to drop.
Ruud_Luiten
Member
3D movies and VR both require extra materials used on your head.. glasses.
But 3D has the extra comfort not being out the current situation. So it's safe. And doesn't need extra hardware. Even that failed by the big public.
That and alot of people feel dizzy while using 3D or VR. There is no need in households.
Depend what people mean by 'the tech is there'.
I'd say the tech is "just good enough" ( doesn't mean I don't have fun with it, I love it ) with some of the current drawback being pretty big, even more so outside of gaming.
Someone just need to try to read his desktop on say Virtual Desktop to have a reminder of how much room for improvement there is when it comes to resolution ( then everything else like FoV, getting wireless, lens, price... ).
The best comparison I can think of is electric cars, the fact that something "fundamentally works" doesn't mean it instantly set the world on fire ( nor does it mean that it never will ), tech improvement, price, and more generally time are sometimes needed.
Ruud_Luiten
Member
Nope. Alot of companies tried VR in 1993 and anno 2017 it still sucks.
AR has the future; VR not... for gaming that is. VR is brilliant for the industry, virtual tours etc, but not for gaming. Too much hassle.
This is complete nonsense.
Ignoring the fact that a few months back I was more than happily transported inside the Baker mansion from the comfort of my couch, there are so many shut ins, disabled and elderly that would greatly benefit from VR in the household.
In 1983 someone might have said "video games will not succeed in arcade form", and they would have been right. It took a lot of advancement in technology and a change in delivery format to grow the audience. Arguably video games have only really gone truly mainstream via mobile phones.
Same may be true of VR / AR. Strapping on isolation goggles / helmets may never achieve mainstream success. It may require something more akin to normal sunglasses or it may even take a transition to a different and futuristic delivery mechanism like holographic projection or direct brain stimulation.
AllIsOneIsNone
Banned
All I know is I'm in already and can't wait to see where the tech goes. There's too much rapid evolution going on in VR for it to fall right now. Gen 2 of Rift and Vive are going to fix a lot of issues the first round had. Hopefully they release at a slightly lower price point.
dragonyeuw
Member
I feel like VR is going to make its mark in the areas of education, science/medicine, social media and military. I don't ever see it being more than a niche item for gaming, especially on consoles. The mass market just isn't going to fork out the equivalent $$$ of two consoles for the experience. There's a reason Gear VR has upwards of 5 million sales: it's a frivolous sub $100 attachment for a device that's integral to people's daily lives, the smartphone, with cheap $5 timewaster apps. That's where the technology has the most potential to grow a sizable base from a gaming POV. Enthusiasts such as ones on here aren't in large enough numbers for developers to pump millions and millions of dollars into AA/AAA experiences over the long haul.
mckmas8808
Mckmaster uses MasterCard to buy Slave drives
You've never played a VR game. Stop it!
FairFriend
Member
I think that people oversell VR main point, that is how immersive the experience becomes. Sure, that's undeniably true, but the great majority of players don't want to immerse themselves: look at all the people playing on their smartphones without even using earphones to listen to the audio, or all the people that do multiple things at once like playing, steaming, chatting etc.
There are definitely several people who were enthusiastically vocal about VR (Krejlooc comes to mind), but I think there's a lot of hyperbole thrown around about what the expectations were.
always crazy bacon
Banned
What? You're really reaching! A 3D TV and 3D capable Blu Ray player and also additional glasses if more than one person wants to watch AND 3D Blue Rays are separate releases costing more.
And as the latest VR thread got more and more views, I knew it was imperative that I honor it with my presence and voice my perfectly-tempered take. All of these enthusiasts buying early hardware, all of these companies funding and developing this technology...
They need my wisdom. There's no way they already understand. I was the only one who could see it clearly.
They need to know that VR won't be as successful as the iPhone.
They need my wisdom. There's no way they already understand. I was the only one who could see it clearly.
They need to know that VR won't be as successful as the iPhone.
Ruud_Luiten
Member
Why would that be?
-cost
-space
-not widely available
-only single 'player' experiences
-no big content or system sellers
-lot's of complaints by users / reviewers
-immersion. I'm out current location which I don't like
It's not there yet... but companies are trying since 1993. Current available hardware isn't going to break through.
Maybe next round?
Till then, I'm not feeling or wanting it. I do hope you have fun with your hardware though.
Father_Brain
Banned
You mean, in twenty years or so?
VR will be a proper thing when a headset shows up that
Current generation of VR is a decent first step, but that's all it is. People going all in on that shit right now like Facebook wasting two billion U.S dollars on Oculus makes no sense to me. Honestly I have no idea what is it that Oculus has that makes it worth that much.
- has all of the required hardware included inside it
- is completely wireless
- is lightweight and extremely comfortable to use for long periods of time
- is very affordable
- has better visual capabilities than what they got going now
- actually has some goddamn worthwhile killer apps
Current generation of VR is a decent first step, but that's all it is. People going all in on that shit right now like Facebook wasting two billion U.S dollars on Oculus makes no sense to me. Honestly I have no idea what is it that Oculus has that makes it worth that much.
The articls agrees with my opinions that VR will take long time to adapt to the casual masses, or may take another generation or two, worse case scenario. I hope developers stay in the game though, but understand if software for VR shrinks over time until VR becomes more mainstream. I think Sony rushed this thinking by being 1st in the market they'd get a head start and be dominant in the VR industry, well sales are slow and VR news is released in trickles. Guess we'll wait if Sony abandons VR as a gaming gimmick at E3. I still believe VR is great for non-gaming industries like education, science, military, medicine and even health and fitness, but gaming, don't really see it becomingthe norm their.
Seems like a safe prediction to make at this point but I think PSVR is going to go the way of the move controller.
BetterThanNothing
Member
Oculus has some of the greatest minds in tech and was, at the time, the only promising VR company with their own headset that actually worked. Valve can't be bought, so they don't really count. Zuck saw that there was a company that actually had a product and related R&D already in development, and knew that Google was making a go at VR as well. Rumor is he pushed the deal through over one weekend, which suggests that he was simply concerned with getting it before someone else did. The biggest company exclusively focused on an entirely new visual medium was bound to be acquired by someone. If anything, it's riskier to let your competitors have a potential gold mine than it is to spend some money only to have it stagnate.
Plus, 2 billion for FB is fucking nothing. Most of it was in options anyway. And wasn't Instagram like $18B or something? I don't pretend to know how they forecast making that money back but the Oculus deal made sense on multiple levels. 2 seemed a little low back when the hype was bigger. It probably still is if you think long term.
Two Pikachus
Member
You admit you haven't played it yet you have such a strong desire to state your uninformed opinion.
It's time to stop posting.
/eyeroll
You formed a very negative opinion on something you never tried and you're trying to convince others of its validity.
But it's ok, we get this in literally every VR thread here on GAF.
Good to know that I, and many others are nobody.
LordKasual
Banned
The problem is cost.
VR is cool as fuck. But nobody wants to drop that much $$$ on something that's still in infancy.
VR is cool as fuck. But nobody wants to drop that much $$$ on something that's still in infancy.
VR is trending completely normal. Above is an old chart as an example of what smartphone sales looked like. See any similarities?
edit:
To combat the naysayers, my experience is that VR is fucking amazing, but like others have said, it's too expensive.
My old roommate had the Oculus v.1 and the experience is just mindblowing, can't imagine today's iterations. 3D on TV had so many downsides it was crazy, but as soon as the current iteration of the Vive and Rift come down to a cost of maybe $200, VR will become a staple in homes. It is too amazing of an experience for it to not.
mckmas8808
Mckmaster uses MasterCard to buy Slave drives
For you to think that AR will be the real deal, whereas VR isn't makes me think you've never played VR games.
That big 'ol list of negatives, yet AR has twice as many negatives.
PSVR already has had more games and has left a better imprint than MOVE already. And nobody thinks Sony is abandoning VR this year.
VR developers aren't making enough money to support the tech, and investors are wising up and not investing as much into VR projects. Oculus, Samsun, Valve and Sony are going to need to really funnel money into VR-centric games and software that really sell the tech to people, because right now it's a cool gadgets with some games you play for like an hour and a half and then again once when your relatives come over.