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[S¡mon]

Hmmm, so it starts at 1.45 AM local time for me. Not sure if I'll stay up, even though I am free tomorrow.

- No livestream
- Possibly no VR headset
- Unsure if official footage will be released afterwards
- Recording is not allowed at the event, what about pictures?

On the other hand...
- I'm free tomorrow
- The most exciting thing that can happen to PS4 gaming might be announced
- Official Footage might be up shortly after

 

[StuBurns]

Either way the thread will be fantastic.

 

[kyser73]

If it goes anywhere it'll be Fallon, who is very into demo'ing video games on his show, because he can act like such a goofball


It's ok, I got you: twice.

That's the fella.

They all look the bloody same to me, apart from the one with the giant square head.

 

[kyser73]

Hmmm, so it starts at 1.45 AM local time for me. Not sure if I'll stay up, even though I am free tomorrow.

- No livestream
- Possibly no VR headset
- Unsure if official footage will be released afterwards
- Recording is not allowed at the event, what about pictures?

On the other hand...
- I'm free tomorrow
- The most exciting thing that can happen to PS4 gaming might be announced
- Official Footage might be up shortly after

I'm thinking sleep, 1.35 alarm, check gaf for good twitters (and lets face it, if it's really real this board will be lying on the ground weeping from all the F5 battering), then maybe sleep.

 

[FunkyLounge]

Hmmm, so it starts at 1.45 AM local time for me. Not sure if I'll stay up, even though I am free tomorrow.

- No livestream
- Possibly no VR headset
- Unsure if official footage will be released afterwards
- Recording is not allowed at the event, what about pictures?

On the other hand...
- I'm free tomorrow
- The most exciting thing that can happen to PS4 gaming might be announced
- Official Footage might be up shortly after

Same for me and no livestream is deal breaker for me. No way I am staying up so late for some article and MAYBE a video.

 

[S¡mon]

I always tell myself to expect nothing... but I can't help but get hyped. Damn you EDGE/Guardian/WSJ for your 'sources!"

If this turns out to be real, someone should do a shop of Shuhei, Richards and Anton on the Daft Punk set, all wearing VR headset.

Daft Punk, you say? Virtual Reality? PlayStation?

 

[EVIL]

My thoughts on this entire VR thing.
- I don't see why games can't be adaptable to this. Play X game at 30 FPS with all filters on and big draw distance, cool shaders etc. or play it at 60fps for VR with none of this.

Its not only graphical fidelity and frame-rates we are talking about here. VR games need to be built from the ground up because things like, scale, which is very important in VR. You can't just take driveclub or uncharted, tone down them graphix and throw it on VR googles. That car you are driving might feel like its 10 times to large for the VR user, or an example with the VR oculus demo of hawken, is where they tweaked it wrong and all the other mechs looked the size of chickens, or the cockpit felt like its the size of a building and you are an ant on the driver seat.

 

[S¡mon]

I'm thinking sleep, 1.35 alarm, check gaf for good twitters (and lets face it, if it's really real this board will be lying on the ground weeping from all the F5 battering), then maybe sleep.

Same for me and no livestream is deal breaker for me. No way I am staying up so late for some article and MAYBE a video.

Yeah, I feel the same way. If it was like a livestream, than maybe, sure. But we're not even certain a VR headset will be announced. It was rumoured for TGS, then for VGX, then for CES and now for GDC.

I don't know. I'll see this evening, how I feel. If I'm not too tired, I might just stay up for the liveblog.

Its my birthday tomorrow so I will wake up with either a disappointment, or a very exiting stream of news!

Congratulations! I normally say this, like, on the actual birthday... but by tomorrow, I will have forgotten that it is your birthday.

 

[EVIL]

Hmmm, so it starts at 1.45 AM local time for me. Not sure if I'll stay up, even though I am free tomorrow.

- No livestream
- Possibly no VR headset
- Unsure if official footage will be released afterwards
- Recording is not allowed at the event, what about pictures?

On the other hand...
- I'm free tomorrow
- The most exciting thing that can happen to PS4 gaming might be announced
- Official Footage might be up shortly after

Its my birthday tomorrow so I will wake up with either a disappointment, or a very exiting stream of news!

 

[ido]

My gut tells me this will be a pretty hands-off announcement.

I would love to be wrong, but I seriously doubt they will have an HMD on the floor to demo.

I'm worried that the announcement will leave us with more questions than answers.

I'm more excited about Palmer mentioning wrapping up DK2, and I'm hoping for a release date since the DK1 is out of stock/production.

 

[iceatcs]

Its not only graphical fidelity and frame-rates we are talking about here. VR games need to be built from the ground up because things like, scale, which is very important in VR. You can't just take driveclub or uncharted, tone down them graphix and throw it on VR googles. That car you are driving might feel like its 10 times to large for the VR user, or an example with the VR oculus demo of hawken, is where they tweaked it wrong and all the other mechs looked the size of chickens, or the cockpit felt like its the size of a building and you are an ant on the driver seat.

Some can do in one or few days work to do. Just tweak the FOV and rendering the right perception for VR.

Of course there will be clash engine, just like Rift have this problem. Hopefully all common engines will support.

 

[ido]

Some can do in one or few days work to do. Just tweak the FOV and rendering the right perception for VR.

The best experiences I've had with the DK1 have been demos created with VR in mind. (Rift Coaster, Affected, RedFrame, Blue Marble, The Room, Rift Cave, etc)

Not saying it can't work on some games, but I think it would be better to just create new experiences/games instead of attempting to VRify current games.

And look, is Microsoft joining the VR hype?

http://www.ign.com/articles/2014/03/18/microsoft-reportedly-working-on-a-vr-headset-for-xbox-one

 

[SighFight]

If VR becomes real this year I want to see this:

(should be possible even on

Spoiler

not

super slow PS4)

Incredibly stupid movie from technical perspective but somehow I still love it...

 

[RoboPlato]

My gut tells me this will be a pretty hands-off announcement.

I would love to be wrong, but I seriously doubt they will have an HMD on the floor to demo.

I'm worried that the announcement will leave us with more questions than answers.

I'm more excited about Palmer mentioning wrapping up DK2, and I'm hoping for a release date since the DK1 is out of stock/production.

If it doesn't work right on stage they probably don't want that video getting out. If it is announced we'll probably get separate, pre approved video.

 

[StuBurns]

The best experiences I've had with the DK1 have been demos created with VR in mind. (Rift Coaster, Affected, RedFrame, Blue Marble, The Room, Rift Cave, etc)

Not saying it can't work on some games, but I think it would be better to just create new experiences/games instead of attempting to VRify current games.

We'll get both for sure, ground up and retrofitted support. You can't sustain a sub-platform like VR on exclusives.

 

[Alx]

I'm not even sure how you would demo a VR device on stage. What would you see exactly, some guy moving his head around ? A view of his video feed, distorted and looking like a cut from the Blair Witch Project ?
I don't know how the Oculus Rift guys handled it, but I don't think it's the kind of things you demo to a crowd.

 

[ido]

We'll get both for sure, ground up and retrofitted support. You can't sustain a sub-platform like VR on exclusives.

For sure, I just think the best experiences will be from developers who create their games/experiences with VR in mind from the onset.

I'm not even sure how you would demo a VR device on stage. What would you see exactly, some guy moving his head around ? A view of his video feed, distorted and looking like a cut from the Blair Witch Project ?
I don't know how the Oculus Rift guys handled it, but I don't think it's the kind of things you demo to a crowd.

Oculus handled it by letting people try it, since that is really the only way to convince anyone. Sony let people demo the HMZ line as well, but part of me just has a feeling that this HMD will not be on the floor to demo.

 

[StuBurns]

I'm not even sure how you would demo a VR device on stage. What would you see exactly, some guy moving his head around ? A view of his video feed, distorted and looking like a cut from the Blair Witch Project ?
I don't know how the Oculus Rift guys handled it, but I don't think it's the kind of things you demo to a crowd.

You could take the tracking data, and input it into a second PS4 to show a 2D full frame version of the game. Assuming you make it clear to the audience that's what's taking place, it'd be a reasonable way to demonstrate what it looks like 'inside' the headset.

For sure, I just think the best experiences will be from developers who create their games/experiences with VR in mind from the onset.

Probably, yeah. Some games would make a great fit even as an afterthought though, like The Witness. The Witness is almost the perfect VR game really, geometry heavy, no pronounced shader work, no defined texture work, the puzzle solutions are tightly associated with observing the world, slow and limited movement capabilities, etc.

 

[zeroOman]

so did they revealed the VR yet

 

[Crimson_Gold]

so did they revealed the VR yet

Another 11 hours and 11 minutes

 

[POWERSPHERE]

It's a developer conference they're not going to make a cool demonstration but show something raw to get devs amped

 

[iceatcs]

The best experiences I've had with the DK1 have been demos created with VR in mind. (Rift Coaster, Affected, RedFrame, Blue Marble, The Room, Rift Cave, etc)

Not saying it can't work on some games, but I think it would be better to just create new experiences/games instead of attempting to VRify current games.

And look, is Microsoft joining the VR hype?

http://www.ign.com/articles/2014/03/18/microsoft-reportedly-working-on-a-vr-headset-for-xbox-one

To be honest, that list is deadly boring gameplay, basic only for experience or exploratory.

All are FPV games. Therefore FPS can be easy to port for VR if engine support.

 

[ido]

Probably, yeah. Some games would make a great fit even as an afterthought though, like The Witness. The Witness is almost the perfect VR game really, geometry heavy, no pronounced shader work, no defined texture work, the puzzle solutions are tightly associated with observing the world, slow and limited movement capabilities, etc.

Isn't The Witness getting Oculus Rift support, though? In a sense, that isn't necessarily being tacked on if it's being added before the game is released. My comparison to ground up vs. tacked on VR was more for games that are already released that may potentially receive the VR treatment. I don't think those experiences will be quite as good, imo.

To be honest, that list is deadly boring gameplay, basic only for experience or exploratory.

All are FPV games. Therefore FPS can be easy to port for VR if engine support.

Most of them were created by one person with virtually no budget. Their aim was an experience, and I didn't find any of them boring personally. I think experience and presence is more important in VR than gameplay.

But sure, FPS games could probably be ported for VR easier than most. But some FPS games may conflict with VR, imo. Being too fast paced for one, may not feel right in VR.

 

[chrishackwood]

Its not only graphical fidelity and frame-rates we are talking about here. VR games need to be built from the ground up because things like, scale, which is very important in VR. You can't just take driveclub or uncharted, tone down them graphix and throw it on VR googles. That car you are driving might feel like its 10 times to large for the VR user, or an example with the VR oculus demo of hawken, is where they tweaked it wrong and all the other mechs looked the size of chickens, or the cockpit felt like its the size of a building and you are an ant on the driver seat.

Sounds awsome. Imagine a game where you start out normal size and get transformed into a mouse or a giant and your scale changes with it. Sorta like Alice in Wonderland - games don't just need to be about shooting things, a puzzle solving VR game would be amazing.

 

[gofreak]

I would love to be wrong, but I seriously doubt they will have an HMD on the floor to demo.

I'm pretty sure they won't. However I'm hopeful they'll take some press and others back to try it out in private hands-on, like they did with Vita at its reveal. I hope we can get independent impressions.

 

[Mr.Green]

If Sony announces mainstream AR crap instead, or doesn't announce anything at all, just watch the legions of fans switch [back] to VR-is-just-a-gimmick mode.

 

[StuBurns]

Isn't The Witness getting Oculus Rift support, though? In a sense, that isn't necessarily being tacked on if it's being added before the game is released. My comparison to ground up vs. tacked on VR was more for games that are already released that may potentially receive the VR treatment. I don't think those experiences will be quite as good, imo.

Yeah, luckily I don't think we'll see much of that, just because there haven't been many viable PS4 games released so far. Outlast could get VR support, but I can't imagine we'll see it crammed into most games.

 

[iceatcs]

If Sony announces mainstream AR crap instead, or doesn't announce anything at all, just watch the legions of fans switch [back] to VR-is-just-a-gimmick mode.

Ok, I'm writing the username list atm. To see if you believe that.

 

[Dirtyshubb]

I'm just currently at a graduate recruitment event in London and I noticed a stand with an oculus Rift and I spoke to the guy there (who is actually a developer who worked on the app) and we got talking about Sony and their possible reveal and he said that his team think Sony are collaborating with a 3rd party to develop their VR set. don't know how in touch he is or anything but I thought it was worth a share.

 

[darkside31337]

If Sony announces mainstream AR crap instead, or doesn't announce anything at all, just watch the legions of fans switch [back] to VR-is-just-a-gimmick mode.

Something can be a gimmick and still be desirable.

I would gladly buy that VR headset on day one. But I don't think theres any chance this (or even the Oculus for that matter) turns into a Kinect level success. Maybe a Move level and that'd be great.

 

[kyser73]

Sounds awsome. Imagine a game where you start out normal size and get transformed into a mouse or a giant and your scale changes with it. Sorta like Alice in Wonderland - games don't just need to be about shooting things, a puzzle solving VR game would be amazing.

An Alice In Wonderland experiential game (maybe along the lines of Walking Dead-type interaction) would be a amazing, and the kind of thing that could expand VR into mainstream use.

 

[ido]

Yeah, luckily I don't think we'll see much of that, just because there haven't been many viable PS4 games released so far. Outlast could get VR support, but I can't imagine we'll see it crammed into most games.

Good point. It helps that the PS4 is still new, because if this truly takes off more games can be made with VR in mind.

I do hope if they let at least some journalists try this out behind closed doors, that the journalists in question know enough to give us a decent comparison with the Rift.

 

[Varth]

What's the current betting rate on presentation being 1 hour late?

 

[gofreak]

If Sony announces mainstream AR crap instead, or doesn't announce anything at all, just watch the legions of fans switch [back] to VR-is-just-a-gimmick mode.

I actually hope there is an AR element to their product. A HMD with both VR and AR capability would be great. However I want VR in there.

 

[Mr.Green]

Ok, I'm writing the username list atm. To see if you believe that.

You have to admit that the VR buzz got a lot bigger since this Sony-VR rumor started. If it doesn't materialize, the blow-back is inevitable in my opinion.

 

[iceatcs]

Most of them were created by one person with virtually no budget. Their aim was an experience, and I didn't find any of them boring personally. I think experience and presence is more important in VR than gameplay.

But sure, FPS games could probably be ported for VR easier than most. But some FPS games may conflict with VR, imo. Being too fast paced for one, may not feel right in VR.

Exactly just like every FPS games are feel not the same. I think there shouldn't any rules on VR that that game have to made for VR only.

I hope there will be lot of different experiences - for example Echochrome VR will be brilliant - by using the light shadow puzzle.

You have to admit that the VR buzz got a lot bigger since this Sony-VR rumor started. If it doesn't materialize, the blow-back is inevitable in my opinion.

Of course but I gotta to make sure if they're the same people switch.
e.g. I have a hard time to believe for example StuBurns will hate VR just because there is no Sony VR.

 

[thunder_snail]

If Sony announces mainstream AR crap instead, or doesn't announce anything at all, just watch the legions of fans switch [back] to VR-is-just-a-gimmick mode.

Nope. They'd be waiting for Oculus Rift instead.

 

[Atomski]

Yeah, Fallon is the game guy, although Conan does his comedy game reviews. I imagine they'll both feature VR at some point.

Fallon featured Oculus Rift a good while ago.

 

[FrunkQ]

My thoughts on this entire VR thing.

- The VR on PS4 seems like it is coming, all rumors and sources point to it, when we will have it in our homes we don't know but I bet it is between late this year and early 2015. You don't
- It will be affordable, Sony knows this is the only way to go. Otherwise it will flop.
- Technically it should be fantastic. As everyone said the technology exists and the PS4 is more than capable. The question is, will it be wireless?
- I don't see why games can't be adaptable to this. Play X game at 30 FPS with all filters on and big draw distance, cool shaders etc. or play it at 60fps for VR with none of this.
- The Move is supported by the PS4 and we have a camera already, it should be a no brainer the possibilities that open up.
.

I see your your game and will raise you in the predictions stakes:

- VR hopefully announced today - with tech demos (from our fave techie duo) and glimpse of DriveClub_VR & The Witness VR. Mainly to get Devs & hardcore gamers excited. Full software reveal and some "oh shit" stuff at E3 to get the mainstream on-board. Released in October in US, November in EU, January JP

- $299, £220, Euro 250 (basic with demo disc), $399, £299, Euro 349 (bundled with camera and move controller & game), Driveclub VR PS+ version available to all.

- Wireless - nope, not because it is not fast/easy but to keep costs and weight down. Batteries will be expensive tech and saved for more efficient screens of PS5 version. But technically I see Sony making their own display with greater pixel density in the center and lens colour bleed correction - bypassing 2 issues with using lenses in wide FoV. It will have a glowing ball and have full sub-millimeter accuracy based on refined Move tech... now PS4 has multiple cameras

- Games - any game with 3D will be a VR shoe in. Sony 1st/2nd parties will make some dedicated VR games (which will be best). The rest will do as you say... 60fps 2D or 30fps 3D/VR options. 3rd party will ignore it. Indie will pick it up and run with it... from tiny one man startups to Witness to Elite: Dangerous at the high end of indie circles!

- Move will be critical in VR UI and will be standard interface - better 2 move controllers. I anticipate Move2 being part of this afternoons announcement - a little more accurate with a built in touch-pad

 

[beast786]

You have to admit that the VR buzz got a lot bigger since this Sony-VR rumor started. If it doesn't materialize, the blow-back is inevitable in my opinion.

Lol come on man.

oculus rift had a huge hype. So many more thread before launch etc.

 

[JonnyKtyler]

Does anyone think there's a chance that the sony VR headset has an extra GPU or something similar built in to help power it?

 

[Mr.Green]

But I don't think theres any chance this (or even the Oculus for that matter) turns into a Kinect level success. Maybe a Move level and that'd be great.

You can't possibly be serious! I mean, I could be wrong but I think VR will be a lot bigger than Kinect. Hell, porn sites alone would probably sell more units.

It might not catch as quickly as the Wii did because of the price but there's no doubt in my mind that we're witnessing the birth of an entire new industry. One that wouldn't even need gaming to be successful. It's gonna be huge.

Lol come on man.

oculus rift had a huge hype. So many more thread before launch etc.

Sure it had hype. I never said it didn't...

 

[PodcastFips]

Does anyone think there's a chance that the sony VR headset has an extra GPU or something similar built in to help power it?

I'm not even sure if that is realistically possible.

 

[stryke]

Does anyone think there's a chance that the sony VR headset has an extra GPU or something similar built in to help power it?

lol, no.

 

[Atomski]

I'm not even sure if that is realistically possible.

Heh I am sure it could be possible it would just be much bigger and cost way more than it should.

 

[Raist]

Does anyone think there's a chance that the sony VR headset has an extra GPU or something similar built in to help power it?

After Phat, Slim and Slimmer, please welcome the 4th HW revision of the PS3. It's now a VR headset.

 

[Alx]

It will have a glowing ball and have full sub-millimeter accuracy based on refined Move tech... now PS4 has multiple cameras

Multiple cameras actually don't help for accuracy (they make it easier to filter outliers and detect complex objects, but you don't need either with a Move sphere), but the increase in resolution does. And the absolute value of accuracy will always depend on the distance to the sensor, in the end.
About the ball, I still find it weird that Sony is so adamant on tracking glowing objects rather than IR sources/reflectors like everybody else. Having glowing balls on the headset would make it look goofy, but I'm sure they could rather use other shapes to make you look like an x-man instead.

 

[Sidewinder]

After Phat, Slim and Slimmer, please welcome the 4th HW revision of the PS3. It's now a VR headset.

Cell Hard - With a Vengeance! Ken Kutaragi wins.

 

[Raist]

Multiple cameras actually don't help for accuracy (they make it easier to filter outliers and detect complex objects, but you don't need either with a Move sphere), but the increase in resolution does. And the absolute value of accuracy will always depend on the distance to the sensor, in the end.
About the ball, I still find it weird that Sony is so adamant on tracking glowing objects rather than IR sources/reflectors like everybody else. Having glowing balls on the headset would make it look goofy, but I'm sure they could rather use other shapes to make you look like an x-man instead.

Because you need an IR camera for that, and they wanted to keep the AR stuff.

 

[F-Pina]

I see your your game and will raise you in the predictions stakes:

- VR hopefully announced today - with tech demos (from our fave techie duo) and glimpse of DriveClub_VR & The Witness VR. Mainly to get Devs & hardcore gamers excited. Full software reveal and some "oh shit" stuff at E3 to get the mainstream on-board. Released in October in US, November in EU, January JP

- $299, £220, Euro 250 (basic with demo disc), $399, £299, Euro 349 (bundled with camera and move controller & game), Driveclub VR PS+ version available to all.

- Wireless - nope, not because it is not fast/easy but to keep costs and weight down. Batteries will be expensive tech and saved for more efficient screens of PS5 version. But technically I see Sony making their own display with greater pixel density in the center and lens colour bleed correction - bypassing 2 issues with using lenses in wide FoV. It will have a glowing ball and have full sub-millimeter accuracy based on refined Move tech... now PS4 has multiple cameras

- Games - any game with 3D will be a VR shoe in. Sony 1st/2nd parties will make some dedicated VR games (which will be best). The rest will do as you say... 60fps 2D or 30fps 3D/VR options. 3rd party will ignore it. Indie will pick it up and run with it... from tiny one man startups to Witness to Elite: Dangerous at the high end of indie circles!

- Move will be critical in VR UI and will be standard interface - better 2 move controllers. I anticipate Move2 being part of this afternoons announcement - a little more accurate with a built in touch-pad

If it is not wireless, then that means we have 2 or even 3 cables going out from the helmet / glasses / thing.
- Power / assuming it needs it's own power and USB is not enough
- HDMI / Video and audio
- USB / power or other information like positioning etc.

I don't know about you guys, but unlike the Oculus I am not sitting right next to the machine. I am in the couch 2 to 3 meters away. And maybe I need to be tracked by the camera. And unlike the PS1 and PS2 controllers these cables connect to the back of the PS4, not the front.

If they don't manage to do this wireless with some sort of new crazy adapter to carry over the signal fast enough for 60fps x2 we will go back in time to an era where wires were crossing the living room / bedroom while you played.