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[block tower]

I don't even

i mean in the fact that game developers wont use it, itll just be another shoehorned gimmick that console companies will push. did kinect sell a lot? yes. do people actually use kinect in a meaningful way for the average video game? no. do people want kinect or ps move games? clearly not. its limited technology and requires someone putting something on in an intrusive way. itll be like 3D tv's; cool concept, poor execution.

 

[SkeptiMism]

i mean in the fact that game developers wont use it, itll just be another shoehorned gimmick that console companies will push. did kinect sell a lot? yes. do people actually use kinect in a meaningful way for the average video game? no. do people want kinect or ps move games? clearly not. its limited technology and requires someone putting something on in an intrusive way. itll be like 3D tv's; cool concept, poor execution.

There are 50 000 dev kits sold as it is. Majority of those were bought by devs I'd imagine.

There's already plenty of content for OR. Mostly it is demos, but there are some games supporting it too, and some games have promised to support it. Devs like to support it partly just because they're excited about it.

There are big companies testing with it too.

Nobody was excited about stuff like Kinect or Move in a similar fashion.

 

[pestul]

Come on, can you not see the potential in this? Not just in Truck simulators I mean, though that's still awesome!

That would crazy immerse in the case of a flight simulator. Or something like a wingsuit diving simulator.

 

[Okamid3n]

Most of the gaming genres I like would gain nothing, and lose a lot, if gaming became VR-focused.

I hope it's just a niche.

 

[Sectorseven]

You'll probably see an image of the game on the screen (he will still need a monitor or TV most likely unless he wants to do everything on the PC/console via OR) and if he uses speakers like I assume he does now he can talk to you. Hard to make eye contact though.
If he uses headphones then you'll probably have to speak up. Other than that wouldn't it be the same as normal? I mean, expcept with him moving his head around more and maybe going "woah" more than normal (unless he's Keanu Reeves)

Will consoles be able to render a second display while maintaining performance? The demos always have the dual images on another monitor, but it's not much to look at.

As for conversation, with traditional gaming there's at least acknowledgement of your existence via eye contact, even if it's only peripheral. With the headset on I don't want to feel like I'm talking to the wall.

 

[Betta Lines]

i mean in the fact that game developers wont use it, itll just be another shoehorned gimmick that console companies will push. did kinect sell a lot? yes. do people actually use kinect in a meaningful way for the average video game? no. do people want kinect or ps move games? clearly not. its limited technology and requires someone putting something on in an intrusive way. itll be like 3D tv's; cool concept, poor execution.

I have no idea how it is possible to reach this conclusion, so I'll just back away slowly...

 

[IvorB]

I've tried it, and I'm a believer.

Any game where you sit in chair(Mechs, Tanks, Cars, Planes, Helo's, Boats, Space Ships, ect) will never feel the same.

If you meet the tech requirements(high FPS, no pixel blur, high res, 1:1 tracking) it's amazing.

Simply amazing.

A bleeding edge Wipeout in VR would probably make me open my wallet. In fact if Sony is developing its own VR they would be wise to get Wipeout running on it. They probably will since they typically use that to showcase new tech. And they did renew the trademark recently... hmmm....

 

[Mudcrab]

That would crazy immerse in the case of a flight simulator. Or something like a wingsuit diving simulator.

Or space sims!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fdU-f456N-E

 

[OmegaTreeFish]

2 main reasons its not something I will buy and why I don't think it will be mainstream. (I think it will certainly do well enough with a certain crowd and in other fields that arnt gaming)

1 - immersion in this sense isn't what I care about when I game. Its normally gameplay and mechanics. Graphics always nice but I never play games to feel like its me in that world. I'm always playing from the perspective that I'm controlling / watching a character.

2 - I have zero desire to shut my self off from the world. I'm almost always doing 2 things at once (talking to wife, half watching a TV show, eating etc etc). This prob ties in slightly to point one.

Also I don't play many games these days that even remotely need VR. Playing shadow era, VLR, spelunky etc etc. I play bf4 once a week but again I have no desire to feel like I'm there. I actually like my actual reality.

I would certainly give it a try and would be great for simulator stuff like the roller coaster.

What mainstream opinion will be, I don't actually know. Time will tell.

 

[IvorB]

Come on, can you not see the potential in this? Not just in Truck simulators I mean, though that's still awesome!

Holy sh*t! What??? Is that where we are??? For some reason I thought it was way more primitive than that. That's proper VR. Amazing.

 

[SkeptiMism]

Most of the gaming genres I like would gain nothing, and lose a lot, if gaming became VR-focused.

I hope it's just a niche.

What genres would that be? How would they lose a lot? How would they lose anything?

 

[Weltall Zero]

I hope the VR hardware makers now the limitations and push the product as a specialty device (like fightsticks, racing wheels) for first person games. If they take the Kinect approach of "this changes everything" people will become aware of its limitations, like not being able to see your controller, fast and it'll become a fad at best.

Why the hell do you need to see your controller for? Do you really look at it when you're playing?

No. If you read a book you are isolating yourself too. But you are able to respond to outside influences. Vr may be an awesome experience from the inside, from the outside you are like a coma patient.

What nonsense is this? You can still hear people just fine, people trying it on TV have interacted with the other people in the studio just fine. You're much more isolated when you put headphones on.

 

[Mononoke]

I think VR is the next evolution in gaming. But do I think it will take over, and become something widely adapted? No. But there is nothing wrong with that. PC games have already gotten on by catering to a smaller market (graphics card enthusiasts for example).

 

[block tower]

I have no idea how it is possible to reach this conclusion, so I'll just back away slowly...

so are Xbox One users playing titan fall by using their hands or body? are PS4 users playing Infamous Second Son using PS Move? no and no. its not a practical way to play games vs just using a controller and television. Did Kinect get packed in with the Xbox One sure, doesn't mean its being used for actual gaming. Vizio just dropped 3D television support because they came to the conclusion the consumers were buying 3D television becuase if it being a HD television and the 3D was an after thought. barely any of the 3D tv's were being used for 3D. so tell me how im wrong for concluding that something might sell well because of initial interest, but might never be used in a practical way and be nothing more than a gimmick in the end?

 

[RetroStu]

That would crazy immerse in the case of a flight simulator. Or something like a wingsuit diving simulator.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XbWefP-umMI

Using wingsuit pov videos, crazy good.

 

[LocalE]

In a few decades, when ubiquitous VR is a fact of life for the first world, someone is going to read an archived copy of this thread and die of laughter.

So, after there has probably been at least several "next big things" which were not VR, people are going to die of laughter because some people in 2014 didn't think VR would be the next big thing.
Unless this thread somehow causes their VR rigs to give them only laughing gas to breathe, I don't see it.
Maybe one person. But "people"?

Wouldn't the more reasonable response be to acknowledge that our primitive, bulky VR solutions like teh Rift were actually not able to help VR be "the next big thing" until decades later?


Anyways, I don't see solutions like the Rift being more than a niche enthusiast thing. That's okay. I like niche, enthusiast things and am glad that enthusiast niches can sometimes get products that they really enjoy.
When it's a sophisticated interface capable of supplying your brain directly with the information and sensations, controllable by the mind-link function, then it could possibly be a big mainstream technology.

TL?,DR?: Wearing a headset like the Rift and playing with a mouse and keyboard or controller of some kind seems to me to be something that will not be the next big thing.
Even if, some day in the future, VR actually gets a chance to be the next big thing, which it may.

 

[SkeptiMism]

so are Xbox One users playing titan fall by using their hands or body? are PS4 users playing Infamous Second Son using PS Move? no and no. its not a practical way to play games vs just using a controller and television. Did Kinect get packed in with the Xbox One sure, doesn't mean its being used for actual gaming. Vizio just dropped 3D television support because they came to the conclusion the consumers were buying 3D television becuase if it being a HD television and the 3D was an after thought. barely any of the 3D tv's were being used for 3D. so tell me how im wrong for concluding that something might sell well because of initial interest, but might never be used in a practical way and be nothing more than a gimmick in the end?

You didn't answer my reply.

And with OR you don't play with your body anyway (for now though). Except with the head tracking, but that's actually more natural because you are in the gaming world. If you turn your head then you see the gaming world. If you turn your head around with Kinect, you'll see your wall.

 

[riflen]

i mean in the fact that game developers wont use it, itll just be another shoehorned gimmick that console companies will push. did kinect sell a lot? yes. do people actually use kinect in a meaningful way for the average video game? no. do people want kinect or ps move games? clearly not. its limited technology and requires someone putting something on in an intrusive way. itll be like 3D tv's; cool concept, poor execution.

You mean the developers that paid to fund the kick-starter, to massive success, or the developers who paid for one of the thousands of dev kits that have been shipped and whose feedback is shaping the product? Those developers?

You're talking about shit, console-crippled motion control systems made with lowest-cost possible components that were forced on developers and hyped to all hell as some amazing revolution. No-one with any clue thought kinect would change the world. There's a reason John Carmack likened it to a "zero button mouse with a lot of latency".

The console development space is very different to PC, which is the only platform with an actual consumer VR product on the way. There are no fees required to release or develop games for PC. There is no platform owner to placate, no-one paying your bills and prodding you to shoehorn support for their latest accessory into your game.

I can't wait to see the crazy shit that devs are going to come up with for the Rift.

 

[AllIsOneIsNone]

so are Xbox One users playing titan fall by using their hands or body? are PS4 users playing Infamous Second Son using PS Move? no and no. its not a practical way to play games vs just using a controller and television. Did Kinect get packed in with the Xbox One sure, doesn't mean its being used for actual gaming. Vizio just dropped 3D television support because they came to the conclusion the consumers were buying 3D television becuase if it being a HD television and the 3D was an after thought. barely any of the 3D tv's were being used for 3D. so tell me how im wrong for concluding that something might sell well because of initial interest, but might never be used in a practical way and be nothing more than a gimmick in the end?

That's not what he meant. If you did any research you'd see that highly regarded developers are already developing for VR and core/hardcore gamers are reacting very well to it. Did either of those things ever apply to Kinect?

 

[Durante]

Holy sh*t! What??? Is that where we are??? For some reason I thought it was way more primitive than that. That's proper VR. Amazing.

Yes, that's where we are. And that's just after a year with a primitive clobbered together HW prototype and extremely early software.

Just think what the future holds.

 

[The Albatross]

I don't think VR is the next big thing. I do think things like Oculus Rift are a thing, but I don't think they'll get huge.

The next big thing in gaming is currently the big thing in gaming -- mobile and universal device support.

 

[GuitarAtomik]

The topic says it all. 3D didnt take off cause no one liked the glasses. OR seems amazing from impressions. But why are so many ppl convinced that VR will take off with OR or the rumored sony VR solution. Its a I have to stick something on my head . I dont want to do it. And I'm not the only gamer who feels this way. And many many casuals feel the same way. So why is this such a big deal all of a sudden.

Touch screens didnt take off till it was intuitive. Thats why stylus phones failed and the iphone worked. I'm pretty sure the current VR trend wont take off ...

To answer this post specifically: Why is OR's version of VR a bigger deal than before? There are a few reasons why actually:

• It's cheaper than ever. Previous versions of VR helmets have been way too expensive to be anything more than the niche-est of niche. Bringing the VR experience down to a more consumer friendly price of $300-$400 is a big deal when you were talking more like upwards of $1k before. It's still not a mainstream consumer price but it still opens it to a much broader audience.
• The tech has finally caught up. Thanks to smart phone screen resolution wars, they finally have the screens they need to trick the eye (the final version will at least), and they've brought latency down to a point that lag is almost imperceptible. All of this in tech that fits in small, light headgear as opposed to the uncomfortable monstrosities of years past.
• It works with lots of stuff. Thanks to open source software, LOTS of games will support it. They have just about every indie dev interested in it and past and future games can be hacked to work with it even if they don't support it natively.

As people mentioned before, 3D hasn't taken off because people didn't want to buy expensive new TV's for it at home, and the implementation is often pretty bad. I really don't think people care about wearing the glasses.

All this said, I don't think OR or Sony's thing will make it "mainstream". It will still be a niche thing, but that doesn't mean it won't be successful specifically on PC. People speak about it as the next big thing because it will and has enabled significantly new and unique gaming experiences that you will not be able to duplicate in any other fashion. That's kind of a big deal even if your mom isn't going to go out and buy one.

EDIT: I didn't mention Sony's thing because we don't know anything about it. It could be as awesome as the OR or be as cumbersome and expensive as the HMZ. It's kind of pointless to debate or argue against it's merits in this discussion considering that.

 

[Durante]

i mean in the fact that game developers wont use it, itll just be another shoehorned gimmick that console companies will push.

Developers are the ones pushing for Rift support in most companies.

It's completely different in that regard from the gimmicks people like to compare it with.

 

[RetroStu]

i mean in the fact that game developers wont use it, itll just be another shoehorned gimmick that console companies will push. did kinect sell a lot? yes. do people actually use kinect in a meaningful way for the average video game? no. do people want kinect or ps move games? clearly not. its limited technology and requires someone putting something on in an intrusive way. itll be like 3D tv's; cool concept, poor execution.

The ironic thing about what you just said about Kinect is that Kinect would be perfect for VR if you think about it.
I still hate Kinect though!.

 

[Scottiths]

I am both excited and not excited for this stuff. On the one hand, it is an awesome idea. On the other hand, it really depends on how much that headset weighs, and whether the cables get in the way or not. Not to mention that you have to connect it to whatever device is using it, causing a tripping hazard if you are not sitting right next to the device and have other people living with you. I suppose they could go wireless, but then you start having to deal with more lag and such.

Color me as on the fence.

 

[impetuous_silly]

To those who can't seem to comprehend why someone wouldn't be excited over VR, keep in mind that some of us gamers simply do not care about immersion.

 

[Extra Sauce]

Because it is. That's just a fact. Could take decades before it becomes mainstream though because the tech is quite primitive at the moment.

 

[coldcrush]

by the way here is a new article about PS4 VR, I can't create a new thread, but its relevant here

http://www.roadtovr.com/sonys-ps4-vr-headset-impressive-valves-new-details-emerge/

For those that say it only works with first person games, I have seen many examples of RTS, and even 3rd person games where it works surprisingly well, In fact I am a a developer and have seen and played first hand demos of 3rd person games that work suprisingly well on the rift

(I have nothing to do with this video, but it shows a basic example)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lj02biz9eKA


Regards immersion, It is not a decider for me. and i respect everyone's personal preference,, I just cant understand who would not want to experience things we simply could not in our real lives, like flying a space ship.

 

[block tower]

The ironic thing about what you just said about Kinect is that Kinect would be perfect for VR if you think about it.
I still hate Kinect though!.

thats my point though. all this gaming add on experience tech is all cool in theory but most of the promising stuff comes in the form of what ifs and elaborate tech demos or mini games. what happens in the end is a few developers will figure out very useful obscure ways to use it, and gaming in large will move on. i understand why people thin OR is going to be different, but give it a few years and it wont be. and John Carmack joining doesnt solidify its success in gaming, John is a very intelligent person outside of gaming, known for building rockets and such. im sure he's looking at much different applications than just gaming.

 

[elyetis]

The topic says it all. 3D didnt take off cause no one liked the glasses. OR seems amazing from impressions. But why are so many ppl convinced that VR will take off with OR or the rumored sony VR solution. Its a I have to stick something on my head . I dont want to do it. And I'm not the only gamer who feels this way. And many many casuals feel the same way. So why is this such a big deal all of a sudden.

Touch screens didnt take off till it was intuitive. Thats why stylus phones failed and the iphone worked. I'm pretty sure the current VR trend wont take off ...

I don't know if it will be a big succes sales wise. But I don't care. All I want is to see it get enough sales to see the tech evolve even more ( pretty sure it won't be a problem ), and have a maximum of game compatible with it ( shouldn't be too much of a problem on PC, thanks to modding, but still is a concern ).

 

[syko de4d]

i mean in the fact that game developers wont use it, itll just be another shoehorned gimmick that console companies will push. did kinect sell a lot? yes. do people actually use kinect in a meaningful way for the average video game? no. do people want kinect or ps move games? clearly not. its limited technology and requires someone putting something on in an intrusive way. itll be like 3D tv's; cool concept, poor execution.

unlike 3D tv´s there are alot of devs who want to support VR because they find it cool.

here are some games that will get VR support

Project Cars, Assetto Corsa, iRacing, The Forest, Routine, Among the Sleep, The Witness, Dream, Scale, Ether One, Reset, Minecraft, DayZ, Dreamfall, Obduction, Star Citizen, EVE Valkyrie, Elite: Dangerous, Everquest Next, alot of simulator games, what ever oculus itself creates, what ever Valve has in Pipeline and many more. The list could be much longer and there will be many new game on the list in one year. There will be enough to play

 

[Chocolate & Vanilla]

Sword Art Online.
You don't go backwards after that.

Gimme dat Nervegear.

Straight into ma brainz!

 

[TouchMyBox]

Because it's the first cool new gaming tech which actually has momentum to come out in over a decade?

 

[Murder. She Wrote]

Look I don't want to write up a whole long post about why VR is awesome so i'll just say this:

See you in five years when us VR enthusiasts are all proven right

 

[thefil]

I'm guessing this perspective has been voiced already, but:

I doubt many people believe VR will be the next big thing. However, that doesn't stop us, the crazy enthusiasts who peruse gaming forums, from being excited. The same crazy enthusiasts who make up the gaming press.

It's excitement, not a prediction of massive market relevance.

 

[RetroStu]

Can you imagine watching a 3D BluRay movie through VR where they have the aspect ratio zoomed quite far in so you could actually look around the scene you are watching, that would be crazy good.

 

[Chipotle]

I'm not sure that it'll catch on at home as it currently is but I can imagine it being a draw for arcades where the wow factor of it would outweigh problems you'd get at home (cumbersome, expensive, looks silly/anti-social).

 

[Shmuely Bully]

The movie First Kid had a big impact on my thoughts about VR (Coolest scene ever? Coolest scene ever).

It is a logical progression in some ways, but it remains to be seen if the additional cost and equipment prevents it from catching on or not. Any new technology has to get past user/consumer resistance to change and changing behavior is one of the hardest things to do. If VR can motivate people to do that then it will be awesome.

 

[RetroStu]

I'm guessing this perspective has been voiced already, but:

I doubt many people believe VR will be the next big thing. However, that doesn't stop us, the crazy enthusiasts who peruse gaming forums, from being excited. The same crazy enthusiasts who make up the gaming press.

It's excitement, not a prediction of massive market relevance.

All they would need to do is to have working VR headsets in game stores and it will be a huge success. The Rift blew me away when i tried it and that was the crappy dev version, it will be the same reaction with most people i believe.

 

[sbkodama]

Developers are the ones pushing for Rift support in most companies.

It's completely different in that regard from the gimmicks people like to compare it with.

You think some dev haven't think about what you call gimmick ?
So they use rift for what these dev ?

 

[Mesoian]

This is precisely the point. I dont want to try it cause i know ive have to stick something on my head. I'll try it at a trade show or a cool concept showcase. In my living room. No thank you.

Once you use the Occulous, you'll understand.

 

[MightyHedgehog]

It's been the next big thing for decades. Gonna take something as neat as Google Glass or better for it to resonate with the mainstream, though. The current setups are too big, too bulky, too expensive. Probably within a decade where it can be price-competitive with displays and be easy to use with the right software to drive adoption. I doubt it will ever replace displays for most people which can be used safely in any environment and by multiple people easily, but it could be the go-to display tech for some more solitary and tech-inclined folks sooner than later if the price and quality of display keep advancing as fast as it seems to be currently.

 

[charsace]

Because it offers a high level of immersion beyond what a controller can. Helmet + camera + props are the future.

 

[spekkeh]

There are 50 000 dev kits sold as it is. Majority of those were bought by devs I'd imagine.

There's already plenty of content for OR. Mostly it is demos, but there are some games supporting it too, and some games have promised to support it. Devs like to support it partly just because they're excited about it.

There are big companies testing with it too.

Nobody was excited about stuff like Kinect or Move in a similar fashion.

Small devs were massive hype for Wiimote and Kinect.

 

[thefil]

All they would need to do is to have working VR headsets in game stores and it will be a huge success. The Rift blew me away when i tried it and that was the crappy dev version, it will be the same reaction with most people i believe.

I've used the dev version as well, and I agree that it blew me away. I don't think that will overcome the negative aspects of the experience for many game players, though:

+ cost
+ isolation from other human beings, social implications
+ discomfort/weight/bulkiness

I'm willing to deal with all of these, but I am not normal (and probably you aren't either if you tried a dev Rift).

 

[AllIsOneIsNone]

I'm guessing this perspective has been voiced already, but:

I doubt many people believe VR will be the next big thing. However, that doesn't stop us, the crazy enthusiasts who peruse gaming forums, from being excited. The same crazy enthusiasts who make up the gaming press.

It's excitement, not a prediction of massive market relevance.

Well, I think people are excited partially because of the potential of mass market relevance. If we want the technology to push forward (quickly at least), then more than the ultra enthusiasts will have to adopt it. I certainly don't mind if it's still a niche product to some degree, but it needs to be relevant enough for developers to have a reason to develop for it.

 

[coldcrush]

http://www.roadtovr.com/sonys-ps4-vr-headset-impressive-valves-new-details-emerge/

edit, apologies there is a separate thread about this

 

[Doc Holliday]

Being shut out of the world is a weird excuse to me considering many of us play on 24+ inch monitors with headphones.

Honestly I don't know how you can say that if you have tried the OR,This isn't 1995.

 

[Camp Freddie]

VR, in a nutshell:
It's awesome because we are completely immersed in a virtual world.
It's terrible because we are completely immersed in a virtual world.

I don't know if it'll suceeed.
On the one hand, it seems terribly rude and awkward to put on a headset that prevents you from seeing the real world. It's not just putting on some silly-looking glasses, it's putting on a silly-looking blindfold (with some little TVs inside). It's a whole different league to wearing some shades.
Watching TV/movies in the dark is way more immersive, but most people keep the lights on. I'm not sure how much we really want 'complete immersion'.

On the other hand, it would be a really cool way to play a flight sim or FPS. Something like Gone Home would be even more amazing on the Rift. However, I'm not sure how the freedom of movement would translate to FPS controls. I mean, you're using your head to look, a stick/wasd to move your feet and another stick/mouse to turn and aim.

 

[Durante]

unlike 3D tv´s there are alot of devs who want to support VR because they find it cool.

here are some games that will get with VR support

Project Cars, Assetto Corsa, iRacing, The Forest, Routine, Among the Sleep, The Witness, Dream, Scale, Ether One, Reset, Minecraft, DayZ, Dreamfall, Obduction, Star Citizen, EVE Valkyrie, Elite: Dangerous, Everquest Next, alot of simulator games, what ever oculus itself creates, what ever Valve has in Pipeline and many more. The list could be much longer and there will be many new game on the list in one year. There will be enough to play

You didn't even mention The Gallery: Six Elements, which is built specifically for VR.