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Time Magazine names PSVR as one of the best inventions of 2016

wotta

Member
Do you agree? Sure it has some flaws, but I think it deserves to be in there.

In order to access the most cutting-edge virtual reality, people typically have to shell out thousands of dollars—not just for a headset (like the $800 HTC Vive), but for a computer that’s powerful enough to support it. Sony’s PlayStation VR, by contrast, is designed to work with a console that millions of people already own: the PlayStation 4. That’s a boon for gamers in search of what Sony engineer Richard Marks calls “the most intense, most extreme” action, as well as casual consumers, who now have an easier way to experience VR.

http://time.com/4572079/best-inventions-2016/
 

Audioboxer

Member
Dat lack of HDR passthrough is such a joke. I will wait for revision 2 of PSVR which innevitably fixes this.

As for it being named as a best invention, sure, why not, it seems like a well priced and well made VR headset (besides the above point).
 
simp-vrmzuhr.jpg
 

Tagyhag

Member
I agree with their explanation. It's VR that works (for the most part) at a much more reasonable price.

It's no Vive, and roomscale is a generation ahead of sitting/standing VR but that comes at a much higher price and with extra space needed. PSVR is the mainstream consumer VR.

Oculus can just go away lol.
 
But my Vive also worked for a computer I already own. And actually has impressive features that push the boundaries. Almost a year before the PSVR came out.
 

Plum

Member
It's not an invention though, it's technology pioneered by others and sold before at a higher price made more affordable through the usual cutting of costs and lower quality. Even the controllers are just re purposed ones from years ago. It's admirable that they're wanting to make VR slightly more affordable but this definitely doesn't deserve to be on the list. Maybe one of best innovations, or simply just best tech, but definitely not best inventions; that implies something entirely new of which very few parts of the PSVR actually are.
 

Audioboxer

Member
But my Vive also worked for a computer I already own. And actually has impressive features that push the boundaries. Almost a year before the PSVR came out.

A lot of these kinds of lists favor things that are affordable and offer ease of access to wider markets via "plug and play".

They don't necessarily list the most technically superior and first to market devices.

Just saying. This isn't saying PSVR is the best, it isn't, PC VR headsets are better than a console VR headset.
 

mjc

Member
I would think that the sweet potato growth augmentations would be more influential than PSVR...but that's just me.
 
There are a lot of weird things on that list.

It is quite bizarre. The Levitating Light Bulb? I have never heard of that one before. A fit anywhere soccer field? There are also a few interesting things as well.

Eagle 360 spinning tires? I swear the Eagle 360 tires are still in a concept stage, and there are no cars that can use them in existence. Did Goodyear slip Time Magazine money to put them on this list? Because they have been trying to make these tires a thing in reality, but no vehicle manufacturers have jumped on board.

It is really hard for me to call the PSVR headset innovative. What it can do, it does really well. But I would hardly call that innovative.
 

Doosi

Banned
I agree with their explanation. It's VR that works (for the most part) at a much more reasonable price.

It's no Vive, and roomscale is a generation ahead of sitting/standing VR but that comes at a much higher price and with extra space needed. PSVR is the mainstream consumer VR.

Oculus can just go away lol.

pretty much lol

isn't the IQ of the PSVR with PS4 Pro similar to Rift/Vive?
 

Elandyll

Banned
VR for the masses. For that alone it's probably worth it.

leo-toast-9.w529.h352.gif


Hopefully I can convince my spouse to spend the $399 sometime soon :)
 

RooMHM

Member
A wire is a feature? Nah, the airpods are pretty dope.
You don t need to remove jacks to make bluetooth earphones.

So, this list. You put a Dyson airdryer costing 300$ saying you pay for quality and put PSVR and not Vive which is more technologically advanced and introduces true roomscale.
Sad.
 

Haines

Banned
I mean sure.

It's just an expensive one here in Canada so Pro was much more worthwhile (ever game support going forward instead of a guessing game of support)
 
Disagree honestly. To get everything that you need for proper VR on PS it would probably cost $700. Camera and motion controls the PSVR is $500 bundled, more if you didn't. Then they don't even have a proper tracking solution and if they did I'm guessing it would cost upwards of $200 if not more.

By coming in without proper tracking solutions they've made it significantly harder to add it in the future too. They've set out a VR experience that is very middling in terms of actual engagement because the tools are seriously lacking. Future iterations may have it, but it means the first gen users will be left in the dust or have the bitter taste of having to buy expensive peripherals to add on to get a really solid experience. You then have a fracture user base many of whom don't want to shell out even more money on hardware and developers who are debating using the base PSVR as a standard or using the one with full motion tracking as a standard.
 

Par Score

Member
There are a lot of weird things on that list.

Yeah, that is a fucked up list of "inventions" for sure.

Some neat stuff, some useful stuff, some dumb stuff, and about half-and-half on what I'd consider an "invention" or not. Inventions usually have to be new, novel and unique.
 

HowZatOZ

Banned
Congratulations, Sony!

I predict there will be some salty-ass posts in this thread.
And they will be tight. The PSVR isn't innovative, Vive is with roomscale. What the PSVR does well is appeal to the masses by keeping costs low and being an excellent beginner VR headset that will push the market across into new bounds. Vive alone can't do it because right now it is an ehtusiast device, but together with PSVR the virtual reality world is going to be absolutely amazing.
 

Tagyhag

Member
Disagree honestly. To get everything that you need for proper VR on PS it would probably cost $700. Camera and motion controls the PSVR is $500 bundled, more if you didn't. Then they don't even have a proper tracking solution and if they did I'm guessing it would cost upwards of $200 if not more.

By coming in without proper tracking solutions they've made it significantly harder to add it in the future too. They've set out a VR experience that is very middling in terms of actual engagement because the tools are seriously lacking. Future iterations may have it, but it means the first gen users will be left in the dust or have the bitter taste of having to buy expensive peripherals to add on to get a really solid experience. You then have a fracture user base many of whom don't want to shell out even more money on hardware and developers who are debating using the base PSVR as a standard or using the one with full motion tracking as a standard.

No one here is denying that the PSVR isn't the inferior of the big 3.

And while it's still expensive, compared to getting a Vive and a VR-ready PC, it's much much cheaper.

Which is Time's reason as to why it's there in the first place.
 

Plum

Member
No one here is denying that the PSVR isn't the inferior of the big 3.

And while it's still expensive, compared to getting a Vive and a VR-ready PC, it's much much cheaper.

Which is Time's reason as to why it's there in the first place.

"Cheaper" is not an invention. Sony creating some new technology to allow Vive or OR-quality VR at a much cheaper price would definitely be an invention, but neither the tracking nor the headset in the PSVR is new and there already is cheap VR out there. The PSVR is well designed, yes, but not new.
 
No one here is denying that the PSVR isn't the inferior of the big 3.

And while it's still expensive, compared to getting a Vive and a VR-ready PC, it's much much cheaper.

Which is Time's reason as to why it's there in the first place.

Let's say after all is said and done we're left with a few scenarios

PS4 (slim) ($300 || Pro $400) + PSVR solution ($500 || $700 w/proper tracking).

Total Cost

PSVR Light: $800

PSVR full experience: $1100

PC (Entry PS4 comparative $500 || Pro+ comparitive $600 simply because you'd want at least a $200 GPU) + Oculus (Vive $800).

PC near or above the light experience: $1300

PC at or above full experience PSVR: $1400

It's certainly great that there's more options, I'm all for options. However, when you haven't set a solid standard for an experience that doesn't require users to have radial ratchet turning and movement, motion sickness from weak tracking and generally lacking features we should expect for gaming in VR. Well... it may be a better thing to have a stricter standard. As I've put it can also have longer term detriments because they could fragment the market should they try to catch up in terms of experience.

At the Pro and Vive price range with people shelling out that much money, it would just be hard to recommend the full PSVR experience vs the one provided by even an entry level PC with Vive.

There's obviously other Pro's and cons, but you get my point.
 

The Argus

Member
Weird list. A levitating light bulb for $350. A folding helmet which for some reason sounds incredibly dangerous to me (I always wear my helmet during commutes, I get that they're a pain to store, but I'd rather one not fold on impact and pop my head like a grape). Chemically engineered pot vape, no thanks.

Is the PSVR even an invention? It's doing the same thing others do just for a little cheaper. Not sure I'd rank it next to Tesla's solar roof, or dishes that allow those with serious health issues to eat easier and enjoy life fuller.
 

TheMan

Member
didn't know about the hyperadapts, but with a >$700 pricetag they're only for the rich and stupid. Hopefully that price comes down soon.
 
Most of this article reads like an ad for skymall (Expensive crap) note the links for half the stuff, im sure they are getting ad revenue here
 
I've bought both a PSVR and a Vive, and really all I want to do is use the PSVR headset for Vive applications. Roomscale is absolutely the kind of innovation that can't be replicated on any conventional gaming setup, even though it's a huge pain in the ass to set up, but the screen and lenses on the Vive headset are both so much worse. For people who are considering the two right now I'd recommend the PSVR over the Vive, easily.
 
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