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[fred]

btw - if a headset will become available... is index really that much more essential to the experience compared to S?
I've had S but sold it since there were no games... but now I am kinda hyped anyway again and index is expensive

btw - the voice actor.... kinda sucks. Why have they not hired original Alyx lady

I'd suggest getting another Rift S. The Valve Index is a better headset but it's VERY debatable whether it's £519 better.

The controllers are great but you won't find many developers supporting them with any gameplay centric features because they'll always code for the lowest common denominator ie. the WMR and Touch controllers.

You'll have the vast majority of developers having players wiggle their fingers just for the sake of players being able to wiggle their fingers.

Get a Rift S and spend the £519 saved on buying a shitload of games, including Half Life Alyx.

 

[Bootzilla]

So there's two voice actresses for the same character in-game?

No, they scrapped the original voice work, although you can still hear it in the first trailer they put out.

 

[Darkmakaimura]

No, they scrapped the original voice work, although you can still hear it in the first trailer they put out.

Yeah I don't buy that they used a new actress to make her sound younger either.

 

[Maiden Voyage]

I need to dust off my vive and clear some room when this comes out. Not sure yet if I will buy sight unseen or if I will wait for reviews.

 

[Terenty]

If the game has a teleportation option, which is freaking slow and cumbersome to use, it means the whole game is balanced around this option which in turn means bye bye to any fast pacing action/shooting scenarios and hello to anaemic gameplay you see in this videos

So yeah, nothing to write home about, and have any of you seen Boneworks? This new half life doesn't bring anything new to the table

 

[Darkmakaimura]

If the game has a teleportation option, which is freaking slow and cumbersome to use, it means the whole game is balanced around this option which in turn means bye bye to any fast pacing action/shooting scenarios and hello to anaemic gameplay you see in this videos

So yeah, nothing to write home about, and have any of you seen Boneworks? This new half life doesn't bring anything new to the table

I dunno. The firefight in the final video looked pretty intense.

 

[Romulus]

If the game has a teleportation option, which is freaking slow and cumbersome to use

Teleporting is way faster than walking or even running though. In Skyrim, I can outpace my smooth movement with teleporting with ease, I just don't like it. You're literally warping around with no penalty other than when you appear in a new spot. You can immediately do it again. I would say the AI on hard and smooth movement will be no joke.

 

[Wonko_C]

Teleportation "slow", LOL. They should see me playing Raw Data: quickly dashing and repositioning all over the map so fast the game even has a stamina gauge so you can't abuse it... and that's with the cumbersome Move controllers.

I still haven't been able to purchase Sairento but I imagine it is even more crazy intense with all those cartwheel jumps and stuff.

 

[Alexios]

I always go free locomotion whenever it's an option (but still play teleport games just fine if they're good) but yeah, it's pretty obvious that teleport isn't making the player slower in most cases (unless it's a deliberate balancing feature, ie, in In Death you don't just push a button but have to use a teleport arrow or bolt or throw a teleport shard, which isn't as immediate as they're physical objects, though given the distances the former especially lets you move through it's still overall much faster than any free locomotion). It's kind of in the name. If the game is truly "balanced for it" then it will be harder if you don't use it for combat and such, fine by me! Also, Boneworks is dodgy with bottom tier level and game and encounter design, just a bunch of features, most of them simply worse versions of stuff in other games thrown together with no real regard or in many cases purpose and wrapped up in all the "but physics" and "but realism" and "but not for VR noobs" hype. But, OT.

 

[INC]

That is how I play most VR games nowadays, from my chair I play No Man's Sky with the Move controllers when on foot. I also have the Dualshock 4 on a small chair next to me and effortlessly pick it up whenever I need to get on my ship and fly.

I also play Borderlands 2 VR sitting down on my chair with the Aim Controller. That one has two analog sticks and using smooth locomotion I can pretty much move around the place like on a TV FPS. I jump all the time, circle-strafe with ease, etc. The only difference is that you don't move the second stick to aim, you just directly point your gun (Aim Controller) And just use the right stick for turning.

Well you don't really have the choice tho, you can't spin round and move fully, because psvr tracking is only from the front

Not tried sitting down on the rift, use to play firewall sitting down with aim controller

 

[rofif]

If the game has a teleportation option, which is freaking slow and cumbersome to use, it means the whole game is balanced around this option which in turn means bye bye to any fast pacing action/shooting scenarios and hello to anaemic gameplay you see in this videos

So yeah, nothing to write home about, and have any of you seen Boneworks? This new half life doesn't bring anything new to the table

Played robo recall? Teleportation can be fun to

 

[Romulus]

Well you don't really have the choice tho, you can't spin round and move fully, because psvr tracking is only from the front

Unless he's playing Iron Man VR. It has 360 tracking. Gameplay previews are really solid regarding this tech too.

“We have some absolute wizards working at Camouflaj and our development partners at Dark Wind in New York,” Payton said. “They weren’t intimidated by the challenge of having only the single PlayStation VR camera. We designed the game so players can move around 360, uninhibited, and not have to worry about where they’re looking and whether they’re facing the camera. There’s a bunch of tricks underneath the hood, a dozen or so unique things we’re doing that are predictive, that use the gyroscope in the Move controllers.

He added that the prediction algorithm the team had created as ‘very’ accurate. Lots of VR hardware companies rely on predictive tech to deliver more immersive experiences, but this is the first time we’ve heard of a game developer utilizing such a system.

Iron Man VR Uses Prediction And 'Black Magic' For 360 Tracking On PSVR

Iron Man VR was one of the nicest surprises at Sony’s PSVR event last week. True, we already knew about the game, but many agree the reveal trailer didn’t do it much justice. When we actually played the game, though, we found something with a surprising degree of

uploadvr.com

 

[GlassAwful]

If the game has a teleportation option, which is freaking slow and cumbersome to use, it means the whole game is balanced around this option which in turn means bye bye to any fast pacing action/shooting scenarios and hello to anaemic gameplay you see in this videos

So yeah, nothing to write home about, and have any of you seen Boneworks? This new half life doesn't bring anything new to the table

That's my take away as well.

Imagine having to fight demons in Doom by turning your viewport, aiming at a spot on the ground and pressing a button to get around before turning back to shoot. Forget that, imagine playing HL1 or 2 this way. It wouldn't work without slowing down AI reaction time and movement, which is exactly what I see in these videos. This is why some say it looks a bit like a VR shooting gallery, it's because it kind of is and has been balanced this way.

I was also expecting much more complicated physics than a bucket you can overturn. We finally have the full dexterity of two hands in a game and the most devs can come up with is pulling levers, pushing buttons and throwing things. The same shit we've always done but with more fidelity.

Hopefully they are hiding the more intricate environmental interaction. I want destructible objects and ability to construct makeshift weapons or shields.

 

[Type_Raver]

Well that didnt take much more convincing, watching these 3 videos over and over...

I bit the bullet, used my work reward points (to amazon vouchers) to cover half the cost, and ordered an Oculus Rift S!
The slightly more resolution over CV1, less cables (no satellites to install) and adjustable optics where you can move the headset back/forward (eye relief it I think its called?) .

Hope my RTX 2060 will be sufficient, but ill probably have to lower some graphical settings. First thing ill disable is AA, as based on my earlier experience with DK2, I actually preferred the sharper slightly jaggy look.

 

[mindfreak191]

Well that didnt take much more convincing, watching these 3 videos over and over...

I bit the bullet, used my work reward points (to amazon vouchers) to cover half the cost, and ordered an Oculus Rift S!
The slightly more resolution over CV1, less cables (no satellites to install) and adjustable optics where you can move the headset back/forward (eye relief it I think its called?) .

Hope my RTX 2060 will be sufficient, but ill probably have to lower some graphical settings. First thing ill disable is AA, as based on my earlier experience with DK2, I actually preferred the sharper slightly jaggy look.

Your 2060 should good enough, especially since Nvidia introduced a new AA method specifically for VR with Turing card that has much less of a performance impact (apparently).

 

[Solomeena]

If the game has a teleportation option, which is freaking slow and cumbersome to use, it means the whole game is balanced around this option which in turn means bye bye to any fast pacing action/shooting scenarios and hello to anaemic gameplay you see in this videos

So yeah, nothing to write home about, and have any of you seen Boneworks? This new half life doesn't bring anything new to the table

While boneworks is damn impressive Half-Life:Alyx is going to shit all over it in terms of graphics, in terms of story, in terms of gameplay, etc.. So you are wrong.

 

[Wonko_C]

Well you don't really have the choice tho, you can't spin round and move fully, because psvr tracking is only from the front

Not tried sitting down on the rift, use to play firewall sitting down with aim controller

That's true, and it creates a bad habit! I tried the HTC Vive in an arcade and I kept turning using just the buttons on the wands instead of doing it myself.

Suppossedly Iron Man VR let's you rotate 360 degrees without losing tracking. We'll see how that goes.

 

[Romulus]

That's my take away as well.

Imagine having to fight demons in Doom by turning your viewport, aiming at a spot on the ground and pressing a button to get around before turning back to shoot. Forget that, imagine playing HL1 or 2 this way. It wouldn't work without slowing down AI reaction time and movement, which is exactly what I see in these videos. This is why some say it looks a bit like a VR shooting gallery, it's because it kind of is and has been balanced this way.

I was also expecting much more complicated physics than a bucket you can overturn. We finally have the full dexterity of two hands in a game and the most devs can come up with is pulling levers, pushing buttons and throwing things. The same shit we've always done but with more fidelity.

Hopefully they are hiding the more intricate environmental interaction. I want destructible objects and ability to construct makeshift weapons or shields.

I own Doom VR and can use teleport with ease. It runs on the same Doom 2016 engine and AI.

Physics feel completely different too. Even something as old as HL2 feels great in VR.

 

[MGHA]

Yeah I don't buy that they used a new actress to make her sound younger either.

Apparently Merle recorded most of the voice work for alyx and up until last month, it was changed to this new actress without any word from valve to Merle.

 

[Romulus]

Love that part. That is going to look incredibly massive in VR.

One of the first VR games I ever played had a basic, polygonal building like 20 stories tall. I was just awestruck on how it sold the scale of the structure. It felt like it was there, literally.

 

[Bootzilla]

Played robo recall? Teleportation can be fun to

Teleport can be fun but it can also seriously change the way a game is played (and the way the AI should react as well). Balancing these options can be tricky.

I am one of the lucky ones with strong VR legs, so I am very much looking forward to free movement.

 

[Darkmakaimura]

Love that part. That is going to look incredibly massive in VR.

One of the first VR games I ever played had a basic, polygonal building like 20 stories tall. I was just awestruck on how it sold the scale of the structure. It felt like it was there, literally.

This was easily the most impressive part for me as well.

 

[INC]

I always go free locomotion whenever it's an option (but still play teleport games just fine if they're good) but yeah, it's pretty obvious that teleport isn't making the player slower in most cases (unless it's a deliberate balancing feature, ie, in In Death you don't just push a button but have to use a teleport arrow or bolt or throw a teleport shard, which isn't as immediate as they're physical objects, though given the distances the former especially lets you move through it's still overall much faster than any free locomotion). It's kind of in the name. If the game is truly "balanced for it" then it will be harder if you don't use it for combat and such, fine by me! Also, Boneworks is dodgy with bottom tier level and game and encounter design, just a bunch of features, most of them simply worse versions of stuff in other games thrown together with no real regard or in many cases purpose and wrapped up in all the "but physics" and "but realism" and "but not for VR noobs" hype. But, OT.

Unless he's playing Iron Man VR. It has 360 tracking. Gameplay previews are really solid regarding this tech too.

Iron Man VR Uses Prediction And 'Black Magic' For 360 Tracking On PSVR

Iron Man VR was one of the nicest surprises at Sony’s PSVR event last week. True, we already knew about the game, but many agree the reveal trailer didn’t do it much justice. When we actually played the game, though, we found something with a surprising degree of

uploadvr.com

How? Camera tracks the headset lights, turn around it cant see thenp lights.....

Using "black magic".....hmm not convinced, but let's see

 

[CuteFaceJay]

Oh thank fucking god. I really dont know why they would release the videos that show that. It looks absolutely awful. Like an on rails shooter.

Legit what were they thinking .

 

[Wonko_C]

How? Camera tracks the headset lights, turn around it cant see thenp lights.....

Using "black magic".....hmm not convinced, but let's see

Headset is not the problem (remember it has 2 lights on its back), occluding the Moves with your body is the main issue.

 

[INC]

Headset is not the problem (remember it has 2 lights on its back), occluding the Moves with your body is the main issue.

Ah yes you're right, my bad, not touched my psvr since getting a rift s, forgot it has lights on the back of headset

 

[sol_bad]

No idea when I'll finally play this but that Combine video is hype as fuck.

 

[Wonko_C]

Apparently there will be a (totally hacky) way to play Alyx on a screen at launch, but it will require some way to track your body like a Kinect or a PS Camera, and motion controllers preferably (can even work with Nintendo Switch's Joycons):

 

[dsk1210]

I think it looks awesome and I am really excited for it.

No idea what some of you negative responders are all about, I bet the reaction would be completely different if this was coming out on PSVR.

 

[mindfreak191]

Apparently there will be a (totally hacky) way to play Alyx on a screen at launch, but it will require some way to track your body like a Kinect or a PS Camera, and motion controllers preferably (can even work with Nintendo Switch's Joycons):

 

[Romulus]

New developer commentary

 

[Darkmakaimura]

New developer commentary

Cripes people, show the game with continuous movement. You aren't doing yourself any favors especially when trying to convince naysayers.

 

[Orta]

Why on earth would you want to play this, or any vr fps not using continuous movement? Doom VR is my only experience of a shooter in this genre and the teleport movement was hands down the most awkward gameplay element I've ever experienced. I couldn't imagine how shit it would be with enemies shooting at you from all angles.

 

[Romulus]

Why on earth would you want to play this, or any vr fps not using continuous movement? Doom VR is my only experience of a shooter in this genre and the teleport movement was hands down the most awkward gameplay element I've ever experienced. I couldn't imagine how shit it would be with enemies shooting at you from all angles.

To be fair, Doom is much more fast paced. I don't like teleportation and plan to use smooth movement, but I got really good with teleportation. Super fast an agile with practice.

 

[GaviotaGrande]

Terrible, simply terrible. VR was made for games like Beat Saber, this looks boring AF.

 

[Thaedolus]

Why on earth would you want to play this, or any vr fps not using continuous movement? Doom VR is my only experience of a shooter in this genre and the teleport movement was hands down the most awkward gameplay element I've ever experienced. I couldn't imagine how shit it would be with enemies shooting at you from all angles.

Some people get sick from smooth locomotion. I don't so I'll probably be using it.

 

[Darkmakaimura]

Terrible, simply terrible. VR was made for games like Beat Saber, this looks boring AF.

I'm no VR defender. Far from it. In fact I'd rather this be a PC game. But, I think they made poor choices in how they're showing this off. The gun fight scene is by far the best they have shown and the trailer definitely makes the game look a lot better.

I'm still taking a wait-and-see approach with this. If this game fails financially and/or critcally they'll probably go back to focusing on PC games for HL.

 

[Romulus]

Terrible, simply terrible. VR was made for games like Beat Saber, this looks boring AF.

Every awesome game I've ever played in VR looked terrible in videos.

 

[Wonko_C]

Terrible, simply terrible. VR was made for games like Beat Saber, this looks boring AF.

1986, Nintendo releases Super Mario Bros.:

Some Guy: "Terrible, simply terrible. Consoles were made for games like Space Invaders, this looks boring AF."

 

[Orta]

Some people get sick from smooth locomotion. I don't so I'll probably be using it.

Oh. I never knew that was the reason to be honest. Makes sense now.

 

[GaviotaGrande]

1986, Nintendo releases Super Mario Bros.:

Some Guy: "Terrible, simply terrible. Consoles were made for games like Space Invaders, this looks boring AF."

30+ years later and Super Mario Bros still looks fun on video. Movement, speed, jumping is freeing.

There’s nothing freeing about that ridiculous teleportation mechanic. It’s one of the worst “innovations” of the last couple of years.

 

[Alexios]

There’s nothing freeing about that ridiculous teleportation mechanic. It’s one of the worst “innovations” of the last couple of years.

Technically it's freeing as you don't have to move with a preset character's speed to wherever but instead move some distance in the blink of an eye. and it's much older than a couple years. Plus, it's largely optional, can you watch videos or read the OP or read up on the game or are you trolling?

 

[Romulus]

Why don't you go complain about inverted control users or PC games that have controller support.


TELEPORTATION IS AN OPTION. NOT REQUIRED. We know you wish it was the only option to assist your agenda, but it's not.

 

[Wonko_C]

30+ years later and Super Mario Bros still looks fun on video. Movement, speed, jumping is freeing.

There’s nothing freeing about that ridiculous teleportation mechanic. It’s one of the worst “innovations” of the last couple of years.

Teleportation is optional.

 

[Darkmakaimura]

Some new screenshots.

 

[sol_bad]

Terrible, simply terrible. VR was made for games like Beat Saber, this looks boring AF.

Have you never played Half Life?
They always start off simple and introduce more elements the further you get in to the game. If you

 

[DarthBuzzer]

Terrible, simply terrible. VR was made for games like Beat Saber, this looks boring AF.

Video games were made for Pong and Tetris. Anything else is just a waste of the medium and should be a movie or radio show. Maybe even make it a podcast.

 

[Darkmakaimura]

The devs explain why they wanted this to be VR.

Valve On Why Half-Life: Alyx Needed To Be In VR

We talked to Valve about how Half-Life: Alyx came to be and what it means for the series’ future.

www.gameinformer.com

Also....

What can you tell us about the narrative? Some are worried that since it’s a prequel, it won’t carry the story forward. Do you feel that’s fair?

Half-Life: Alyx is a full-fledged entry in the Half-Life series, both in terms of the sheer amount of content as well as the importance and substance of its narrative relative to the rest of the series. It's a critical part of the larger story, and it does push that story forward.

Do you think that Alyx will give fans some closure on the end of Episode 2?

It's not a bad idea for players to have refreshed themselves on the events of Episode 2 before starting Half-Life: Alyx.

 

[mindfreak191]

Also does anyone know if the included VR environments are included for people that just have the index knuckle controllers?

 

[Darkmakaimura]

New video of Half-Life: Alyx VR environments.