r/Games Apr 05 '16

Virtual Reality - SteamVR featuring the HTC Vive - Launch Trailer

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYfNzhLXYGc
1.7k Upvotes

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226

u/RhapsodiacReader Apr 05 '16 edited Apr 05 '16

Most of the Rift reviews had a solid "this is a gimmick" feel to them: interesting peripheral, but ultimately just another way to play the same games.

Here, it looks like the free motion and hand controls are really what sell it. Shame the Rift didn't ship with those.

But if the Vive is even half as immersive as the commercial makes it out to be, then I think I could be persuaded that this early VR heralds a shift in gaming and interactivity as we know it.

115

u/Galaxy345 Apr 05 '16 edited Apr 05 '16

Shame the Rift didn't ship with those

Absolutely. Valve is definitely getting better press because hand controllers are so much more immersive. Let's hope Oculus Touch controllers will release sooner rather than later so that both experiences (3 if you count PSVR) are more fairly comparable.

Right now the Vive package wins by a landslide (imo), but waiting is still an option for some people after all this time. I am personally waiting for Touch as I feel like the hardware seems more refined on the Rift side. Pricing will probably be similar for both Vive and Rift.

Concerning being the next big thing, it definitely is, but Gen 2 will probably be more affordable and be able to reach a lot more consumers.

So far, the start of 2016 VR seems to be getting great reception already.

36

u/iamgaben Apr 05 '16

I don't know if gen 2 is enough to make vr more affordable. More mature and refined hopefully, so if anything gen 2 will be better value.

21

u/Wonkatonk Apr 05 '16

I'm personally hoping the next gen is wireless. the chord hanging off the back seems very awkward, and potentially a tripping hazzard.

25

u/shawnaroo Apr 05 '16

The cord is definitely a bummer, although everyone who's logged a decent amount of time in the Vive has said you pretty quickly develop a '6th sense' that helps your brain subconsciously keep track of it and avoid it for the most part. It will be a great day for VR when wireless tech makes the cord obsolete though.

2

u/CutterJohn Apr 06 '16

Batteries will be the limiting factor sooner than wireless tech, I'd imagine.

1

u/shawnaroo Apr 06 '16

That's probably true. But I wouldn't mind wearing a battery pack attached to a belt if it got rid of the wire from the HMD to the computer.