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Will there be demo kiosks for VR headsets at Best Buy, Walmart, etc?

G

gdt

Member
I think a ton of these kiosks or demos at shopping centers would really get VR in the hands of the people and allow people to actually try the damn things. It's such a hard think to sell just with words or ads, seems like for w lot of people they need to feel it before they believe in it.



Any plans for this? I preordered a Rift but I've never actually tried VR. I can't wait for mine to come in.
 
C

ClayKavalier

Banned
I'm sure they will, unless they just don't carry them for some reason. They already have demo units of the Gear VR.

gdt said:
Get the fuck out. Where? Which headset?
Click to expand...
Every Best Buy I've been to in Southern California in the last few months and the Gear VR.
 
H

hwy_61

Banned
My Best Buy has a gear VR demo, but you have to ask the Samsung rep to try it, because all it takes is one asshole to fuck it up for everyone else.
 
D

Deadpool_X

Banned
Don't these things have to be configured for each individual user? Like, distance of screens, etc? One thing I've repeatedly heard Arthur Gies complain about is the setup/calibration time between each user. This seems like it would be hard to demo in a retail environment.
 
H

-Horizon-

Member
I can only imagine how gross some of those demo setups will get. Even the 3d glasses that were all the rage a couple of years ago had that sheen of grime on it.
 
L

lowhighkang_LHK

Member
Deadpool_X said:
Don't these things have to be configured for each individual user? Like, distance of screens, etc? One thing I've repeatedly heard Arthur Gies complain about is the setup/calibration time between each user. This seems like it would be hard to demo in a retail environment.
Click to expand...

If they have these set ups there needs to be somebody there managing it, answering questions and cleaning the device after every use with alcohol wipes.
 
NOLA_Gaffer

NOLA_Gaffer

Banned
I already feel uncomfortable enough putting on demo headphones and now you want me to stick my face in a visor that everyone else's greasy, pimply face has been in?

Gross.
 
Ozzy Onya A2Z

Ozzy Onya A2Z

Member
Of course, I get the feeling there will be LAN style centres or areas in those existing LAN/gaming/arcade centres where you can pay to play VR, rather than buying in wholesale.
 
1

120v

Member
doubt there'll be any for oculus/vive until they're much cheaper

probably will be some PSVR kiosks though
 
H

hokagespit

Member
i could see a psvr booth, the gearvr at my best buy stays on head. with others looming near, it always shocks people when they remove it.
 
C

CHC

Member
I would never consider trying a public VR headset unless I could watch them blast that shit with a firehose of Lysol beforehand. Total disease vessel.
 
A

Agent Cooper

Member
We have a GearVR at Best Buy. I was one of the first to try it but I so wouldn't try it now because... well, now it's always sticky, even when I clean it. :s
 
Z

Zaptruder

Banned
Yeah, public VR stations absolutely needs something like a sacrificial anode for the facial interface. A plastic or paper wrap that can be discarded after a few uses.
 
iceatcs

iceatcs

Junior Member
HTC Vive about to set up some of the UK retails. The headset not yet there but the booth etc.. I assume it will come to many countries.
 
B

border

Member
It's funny to me how people will walk up to a videogame kiosk and put their hands all over the absolutely filthy controller and not give it a second thought. Did you even wash your hands after you tried out the new iPad Air?

But suddenly when offered a VR demo, people become massive germophobes. Just go try the GearVR -- you're not going to die from it.
 
Ozzy Onya A2Z

Ozzy Onya A2Z

Member
border said:
It's funny to me how people will walk up to a videogame kiosk and put their hands all over the absolutely filthy controller and not give it a second thought. Did you even wash your hands after you tried out the new iPad Air?

But suddenly when offered a VR demo, people become massive germophobes. Just go try the GearVR -- you're not going to die from it.
Click to expand...

There a big difference between touching something with your hands and a padded cushion device that goes on your eyes, nose, ears, sweaty forehead and near your mouth etc. I'm no germaphobe but there's a tangible difference here. You are correct that both public devices will be disgusting either way.

RiderKairuu said:
I agree but jizz though?
Click to expand...

Just wait to see what the PSVR move controllers are covered in...
 
H

-Horizon-

Member
border said:
It's funny to me how people will walk up to a videogame kiosk and put their hands all over the absolutely filthy controller and not give it a second thought. Did you even wash your hands after you tried out the new iPad Air?

But suddenly when offered a VR demo, people become massive germophobes. Just go try the GearVR -- you're not going to die from it.
Click to expand...
I actually do wash my hands if possible after handling demo units. Heck, I'll wash my hands even after using a shopping cart. It's not mainly germs, it's just the disgusting stuff some people do with their hands.
 
M

Mindlog

Member
Krejlooc said:
GearVR. Varies from best buy to best buy. They've been out in the wild since february 2015.
Click to expand...
Yeah, but Best Buy needs to go whole hog. There's so much empty space in those stores. Dedicated VR zone with associates wiping off all the pink eye after every use.
 
clem84

clem84

Gold Member
How impressive the experience is will probably vary greatly from person to person. I won't put the money down before I try. No demo no buy.
 
entremet

entremet

Member
Your normal person isn't that infected and contagious.

Settle down, germaphobes.

They'll probably be cleaning them with baby wipes.
 
B

border

Member
Ozzy Onya A2Z said:
There a big difference between touching something with your hands and a padded cushion device that goes on your eyes, nose, ears, sweaty forehead and near your mouth etc. I'm no germaphobe but there's a tangible difference here. You are correct that both public devices will be disgusting either way.
Click to expand...

If you aren't washing your hands after using a controller or touchscreen device, I don't really see a huge difference. After you leave the Gamestop kiosk or Apple Store, eventually your filth-exposed hands are going to touch your lips, your fork, your face, and your food.

Follow some people around PAX, E3, or an eSports tournament. How many people are walking straight from the demo stations to the food court to grab pizza or a burger? Something like 50% of people don't even wash their hands after using the bathroom, so I suspect that the numbers for people who touch controllers or public keyboards are way lower.
 
H

hwy_61

Banned
border said:
If you aren't washing your hands after using a controller or touchscreen device, I don't really see a huge difference. After you leave the Gamestop kiosk or Apple Store, eventually your filth-exposed hands are going to touch your lips, your fork, your face, and your food.

Follow some people around PAX, E3, or an eSports tournament. How many people are walking straight from the demo stations to the food court to grab pizza or a burger? Something like 50% of people don't even wash their hands after using the bathroom, so I suspect that the numbers for people who touch controllers or public keyboards are way lower.
Click to expand...

Yeah I agree with this guy. hands are the filthiest fucking things, and we don't freak out over that.
 
L

Lights and Waves

Member
I used Gear VR at Best Buy last week. Now, I don't know much about VR, but the resolution on that thing's screen was so freaking crappy...I wouldn't pay $400 is the PSVR was anything like it.
 
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