Hardware & Technical Facebook buys OculusVR

[PacalB]

I think the most important factor is that old chestnut FUN.

The gadget looks FUN. People who have used it say it is FUN, and watching them playing Elite using it, they seem to have FUN doing it. It's like people saying "Why buy a 3D TV?". Because it adds an extra dimension (literally) and makes watching a film more fun than in flat 2D.

I'm still waiting for CV1. In the meantime, for the pure hell of it, I ordered one of these which I'm expecting delivery of tomorrow.

Ooh! Now that does indeed look like a little bit of fun, be nice to use that with an app like SkyView. Laying on the bed relaxing whilst checking out the night sky, very cool.

Just ordered one as well, thanks for the heads up on that Juniper.

 

[Toumal]

Never having used one myself I'm curious to know if it is really 100% immersion. is there any borders etc?

You mean the oculus?

Well the DK works really great for cockpit sims. Yes you feel like you're in there. The "borders" in the auxiliary vision are definitely there, but it's more like you're wearing a helmet or one of those large diving goggles. After a few minutes you don't notice anymore. When I wear the DK1 I feel like I'm sitting inside that Sidewinder. Getting the DK2 was a no-brainer for me.

The best thing people who are still on the edge can do is find a place to try it out. Yes even the devkit1, you know the resolution is not great and DK2 is a lot better, but you can already judge whether VR is "for you" or not.

Also just a heads up, if you have a Devkit 1, you can now order an upgrade kit that goes full HD. You lose a few degrees of FOV but you actually get higher true resolution than the DK2 (regular LCD vs. pentile).

And as for screen resolutions in general: I talked to a few hardware vendors. There's already 24xx-resolution 7 inch screens in the pipeline for several of them, some with an estimated availability (i.e. you can actually order them) within the year. Things are only going to get better.

I think the most important factor is that old chestnut FUN.

I completely agree with you. And I can only tell you this: The first dogfight in Elite Dangerous with the Rift on was simply the greatest gaming experience I had, even though I had the DK1 for some time now. The great sound design, the cockpit, it really comes together with VR in a way that you just have to experience.
And when my cockpit glass shattered and the air got sucked out I held my breath until I was blue in the face, only then realizing that I'm a silly fish and I can indeed just keep breathing. If you ever come to Vienna I'll strap that thing over your head and make you believe, sound fair?

 

[jabokai]

Currently those of us who know (or suspect) that VR won't "work" for us for one reason or another get the impression that all design and all gameplay decisions revolve around VR and making that work optimally with little consideration for alternative displays and controls.

I think a lot of those comments are directed at people who seem overly negative about it without ever having tried it. Not saying that applies to you but certainly it's seemed that way quite a lot of the time.

Well I didn't want to mention it but.....

Cheers mate!

Sounds as if it's something thats not going to be much of a issue then. Looking forward to getting the DK2 more and more.

Playing ED and hopefully watching to occasional film will be a experience to say the least.

The ski goggles effect is not a big issue, no. Obviously, over time, that will one of the things they will improve but it's certainly more than good enough as is.

 

[Neo-ST]

within the year. Things are only going to get better.

Which means, now is the worst time for purchase...

 

[Toumal]

Which means, now is the worst time for purchase...

In terms of DK2.. perhaps. But people said the same thing about the DK1, and now you can just upgrade the screen to full HD on that one too. It's reasonable the same to be possible for DK2 further down the road.

 

[Barns]

Ooh! Now that does indeed look like a little bit of fun, be nice to use that with an app like SkyView. Laying on the bed relaxing whilst checking out the night sky, very cool.

Just ordered one as well, thanks for the heads up on that Juniper.

Ok so I'm all the skeptic here but that does look interesting and pretty cheap since all the tech is already in your mobile you probably already have. I wonder if it could be used to mirror a display from a PC game? Hmm. You'd need to feed back the accelerometer sensors to the PC as a controller somehow... sounds technically possible to me. Anyone done this yet?

 

[metanoia]

Which means, now is the worst time for purchase...

You can say this about pretty much all tech stuff, there is nearly always something better just over the horizon.

 

[Sir.Tj]

Cheers mate!

No problem, I did rep you though as a apology.

You can say this about pretty much all tech stuff, there is nearly always something better just over the horizon.

That's how I see it. We've no idea on how much FB will dictate the CV1 price so I;m taking a gamble on the DK2. and theres alwayd ebay.

 

[noodle]

I don't understand your feelings here. But if I can try to make sense of this:

• A new technology comes along that can finally make VR possible
• People get excited
• People try it out, and they get even more excited
• It gets mentioned a lot in the news
• Some people (X) don't want to hear about it (for unspoken reasons)
• The more X-people hear about it, the more they feel a peer pressure and feel annoyed.
• The X-people go to public forum thread with the topic "Oculus Rift" and talk about how they don't want it or don't find it interesting, and complain about other peoples' excitedness as it perturbs them..
• In efforts to "debate" the topic, they bring ignorance to the table

How about we add to the list:

• Advocates of the technology resort to slandering anyone who doesn't buy into their unqualified enthusiasm

Really. If you're one of those who don't want the feeling of immersion, you could just stay away from this thread if you don't want to hear people rave about how great VR is.

Firstly, the thread is about Facebook buying OR - it's not exclusively a fanboy thread, as far as I was aware. Secondly, I don't object in the slightest to people raving about it. I have minor issues with being told that it's an essential experience. Speaking of which, such comments are clearly aimed at people who don't currently use OR, so asking them not to get involved in the thread seems a little strange.

Nobody is forcing you to try it. I've not read a single post insisting to people, saying something like "well, you should get one, you really should get one!"

I never said they were. Don't you think you're overreacting a little bit?

Sorry if this crude timeline didn't represent you, but that is the sense I'm getting from people such as yourself. It just seems comes across as ignorant and petty. Especially the comparing to a 3D TV.

Read the thread. The 3D TV comparison originated with an OR user.

Yes, it's crude. It's also inflammatory and rude. Do you think you could possible discuss this more courteously, without resorting to simplistic dismissals of views that you (as you admitted) don't understand?

One last thing. If people feel the need to hold polarised, black & white views, that's fine by me. I honestly don't object. However, I do object when people adopt such a position, and lump me into the opposite end of their polar scale. I've already said that I think OR is almost certainly amazing. My personal jury is out, because I haven't tried it. I have merely presented the alteranate point of view that not everyone might want that level of immersion - which is a response to arguments that OR is virtually essential, it's the future of gaming, everyone will want to use it, etc. etc.

 

[Neo-ST]

You can say this about pretty much all tech stuff, there is nearly always something better just over the horizon.

Sure, but most of the tech stuff today is not as new as VR stuff, which experienced a completely new introduction in 2012.
Think of beginnings of a smartphone and now. Sandy bridge vs. Haswell, etc.

 

[Rog]

I don't think there really needs to be a pro vs. anti divide here.

The way I see it, VR will be a fantastic way to have certain experiences and play certain games in a way that was unavailable before. But I certainly don't think playing games or media consumption on flat 2d screens and monitors is going away anytime soon, or in fact ever.

Movies didn't make books obsolete, walking is still popular in spite of the bicycle and car.

 

[noodle]

I don't think there really needs to be a pro vs. anti divide here.

This.

The way I see it, VR will be a fantastic way to have certain experiences and play certain games in a way that was unavailable before. But I certainly don't think playing games or media consumption on flat 2d screens and monitors is going away anytime soon, or in fact ever.

Movies didn't make books obsolete, walking is still popular in spite of the bicycle and car.

And this.

 

[GMcA]

I'm just afraid that if I do spend money on OR I might be one of the many who get quite nauseous, I don't want to game with a sick bag on hand.

 

[jabokai]

I'm just afraid that if I do spend money on OR I might be one of the many who get quite nauseous, I don't want to game with a sick bag on hand.

The DK2 (and CV1) address the nausea issue quite heavily. It will probably still be there and gradually lessen with each iteration of the hardware, and with the design of software as developers become accustomed to producing products for VR. It will possibly always be there for some people but it is an area they've worked hard on and will continue to do so.

FWIW there were some OR demos that made me feel almost instantly nauseous and ones I could use for hours with no ill effect. Elite Dangerous was one of the latter experiences. Again, it won't be the same for everyone, but maybe it's slightly encouraging!?

 

[noodle]

I'm just afraid that if I do spend money on OR I might be one of the many who get quite nauseous, I don't want to game with a sick bag on hand.

Strap the sick bag to your face for true immersion

 

[Shigawire]

Noodles, I do sincerely apologize to you sir. It riled me up, because I thought you were holding the victim card without good cause. I'm not emotional about Oculus Rift, I just get riled up when I perceive people using the victim card (on any subject) as an argumentation tactic, or for base trolling. I see now that you did not mean that. And again, I apologize for my misrepresentation of your views.

I still do think that you are overreacting with a fear of regular displays being "left behind." I think this is a misapprehension, because VR is never going to replace regular displays. They will merely co-exist, much like motorcycles haven't replaced bicycles (from Rog's examples). VR will bring many new different kinds of experiences to the electronic entertainment medium, which a table display cannot. However, I can never imagine playing a good strategy game in VR. Total War or Crusader Kings 2 in VR? Never gonna happen. So don't worry about VR. And if Frontier Developments haven't added support for multiple monitors yet, I sure hope they will.

Virtual Reality is only "the future" for new and different kind of experiences.

I don't think there really needs to be a pro vs. anti divide here.

The way I see it, VR will be a fantastic way to have certain experiences and play certain games in a way that was unavailable before. But I certainly don't think playing games or media consumption on flat 2d screens and monitors is going away anytime soon, or in fact ever.

Movies didn't make books obsolete, walking is still popular in spite of the bicycle and car.

Exactly.

 

[Juniper]

So please, try to get some knowledge on the subject before comparing it to a 3D TV

Fair points well taken - I have never used a Rift. The only experience I have with VR is the old Virtuality headset which was powered by Amigas. My Durovis Dive arrived today though, so hoping to have a play with that later.

What I was primarily getting at though with the comparison (there is none, I agree) is that TV manufacturers (who I see as the big future players in this VR game, not startups or tech companies) pushed 3DTV as a means of increasing immersion when watching films. The idea of perspective, depth, and things coming right at you out of the screen - versus a flat 2D experience.

Whether VR provides that or not, to a greater or lesser degree, I honestly have no idea at this point. Others obviously do though.

 

[Juniper]

Read the thread. The 3D TV comparison originated with an OR user.

Actually, it didn't - it originated from me from a position of ignorance, which I was (rightly or wrongly) called up for. I've never used an OR, but one day I will most likely own one.

I must admit I didn't expect a kind of Spanish Inquisition concerning it - but hey, whatever.

 

[noodle]

Noodles, I do sincerely apologize to you sir. It riled me up, because I thought you were holding the victim card without good cause. I'm not emotional about Oculus Rift, I just get riled up when I perceive people using the victim card (on any subject) as an argumentation tactic, or for base trolling. I see now that you did not mean that. And again, I apologize for my misrepresentation of your views.

Thank you. That's very decent of you. Much appreciated.

I still do think that you are overreacting with a fear of regular displays being "left behind."

That's not a fear I hold though

Actually, it didn't - it originated from me from a position of ignorance, which I was (rightly or wrongly) called up for. I've never used an OR, but one day I will most likely own one.

I must admit I didn't expect a kind of Spanish Inquisition concerning it - but hey, whatever.

Whoops. I thought you were an OR user sorry. Can't keep up. Must be my age.

 

[Shigawire]

Actually, it didn't - it originated from me from a position of ignorance, which I was (rightly or wrongly) called up for. I've never used an OR, but one day I will most likely own one.

I must admit I didn't expect a kind of Spanish Inquisition concerning it - but hey, whatever.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QqreRufrkxM

Fair points well taken - I have never used a Rift. The only experience I have with VR is the old Virtuality headset which was powered by Amigas. My Durovis Dive arrived today though, so hoping to have a play with that later.

What I was primarily getting at though with the comparison (there is none, I agree) is that TV manufacturers (who I see as the big future players in this VR game, not startups or tech companies) pushed 3DTV as a means of increasing immersion when watching films. The idea of perspective, depth, and things coming right at you out of the screen - versus a flat 2D experience.

Whether VR provides that or not, to a greater or lesser degree, I honestly have no idea at this point. Others obviously do though.

Oh yeah, the difference between 3D TV and VR is gigantic! I have a 3D TV, and only barely watched some stuff on it. The problem with 3D TV is that there is too much "cross-talk" between the left and right eye. Where you see a slight shadow of the right eye's view on your left eye, and slight left eye view on your right eye. Because of the limitation of the shutter glass technology. The LCD glasses simply flip the liquid crystals in the glass super rapidly to increase the opacity and reduce the refraction. And you can still see through the Liquid Crystals. They're not opaque enough to block your view 100%. You might think the 3D TV experience is barely like watching through a "window", except it's not even that.

VR tricks your brain's visual cortex, which transmits to your temporal lobes, which again transmit directly to your amygdala (fear center) and the entire CNS (central nervous system). So it doesn't matter how rational you are, and what understanding you have of the VR experience. Your CNS will still react with the "fight or flight" mode, feeling of excitement, awe, or fear. This is why VR is considered as a genuine solution for psychiatrists in resolving phobia.

You have a balance organ called the "middle ear", which we usually think about when it comes to how our balance works. But in actuality, the middle ear is really nothing more than a "best guess" approach which works in conjunction with the visual cortex. Because the middle ear is basically a liquid based gyroscope sensor, the sensory output always lags behind your visual cortex which is instant.
It is the visual cortex which overrules all our feelings of balance. Even over the middle ear. This is why our sense of balance is often affected in VR. It's best to sit down.

Of course, some people prefer not to get too much adrenaline, cortisol and other stress hormones. But I'm sure there will also be incredibly relaxing game experiences for VR. Experiences which would be too "boring" on a regular screen, but totally engrossing in VR. I expect "The Gallery: The Six Elements" will be a very relaxing and awe-inspiring VR game. I can also imagine playing "Dear Esther" in VR.. a game which I thought was horribly boring when I played it! These are the kind of experiences which can be excellent for VR. I sincerely doubt that first person shooters will be very good with VR. Completely new experiences, which are almost like relaxing mystery games such as Myst, The Gallery, and of course cockpit based experiences!