Another down the rabbit's hole

[[VR] optimal_909]

So, I've just had my second VR session, and what can I say, WOW! Playing 2D again is simply out of equation - perhaps with the exception of long jonking sessions or outfitting.

Against any advice, I skipped getting used to the Rift and launched Elite as soon as I could. I managed well with even a dogfight (with an Eagle) in the first session, but my brain hurts after about 90mins of gameplay, it is very intense.
Best part so far is the ship interiors and being inside, looking at my own body (minus 10kg for sure) is downright weird. Looking at the ships exterior parts leaning out from the cockpit alone was very entertaining - shame that the Cobra Mk4's front hardpoint doors are missing.

Also against most advice, I am playing with KB+M and it is working quite well, I guess it is even an advantage in navigating the map and the menus. At the moment I'm avoiding combat and also open, just in case, and slowly re-learn playing the game. It requires quite a lot of head-turn to check on the fuel, and other stuff.
In other words, I couldn't care less about the state of the Beyond updates, etc., I am rediscovering basic gameplay!

To sum up: we are very lucky to have Elite with an apparently polished VR mode, if any game warrants this, then it must be ED. The mind boggles when I compare this experience with that of the C64 wireframe on a small monitor - even though both feature very distinguishable, individual pixels.
The cost of getting in (even though both the Rift and the 1080ti came second hand) is not low, but now I feel it was money very well spent.

P.S. Is the Apollo 11 VR recommended?

 

[Faded Glory]

Yep, VR is a game changer for ED.

The only time (in over a year of playing) I've gone back to the monitor was one session selling exploration data, otherwise everything is done with the rift on. Not sure how you are managing with a KB&M, I'd definitely recommend a HOTAS. The Thrustmaster T.16000M FCS is very good and not overly expensive. Also, if you haven't already I'd suggest investing in VoiceAttack.

Flying the ships never really made me uncomfortable, but you may find driving the SRV does. General advice there is to start slowly with short sessions and build up your resistance to any motion sickness.

Anyway, enjoy VR. It completely changes the scale of the game IMO.

 

[[VR] optimal_909]

I did a planetary scan mission, and indeed it was a bit dizzying when I did a 360 in the SRV escaping the enemy fire. Now I see the design purpose of black-out in the SRV.

As for KB+M, I got already used to the controls, so why fix something if it isn't broken. Also, I have bad experience with steering wheels (I admit, low tier Logitech GT Force wheels) - clumsy kit, breaks down easily and requires too much effort to store/mount (to me).
I'll see, I might jump into it later on. VoiceAttack on the other hand is something to consider so that I can remain hands on the mouse and WASD at all times.

Thanks, I will certainly sink countless hours into it.
One more comment on the ship interiors: to me it was never an issue how big they are, but now in VR the cockpit/bridge sizes absolutely make sense, even that of the T9.

 

[Shigawire]

P.S. Is the Apollo 11 VR recommended?

That is affirmative. It is a great experience to showcase VR to friends and family. There is mostly a spectating experience, with a few exceptions where you can interact.

 

[Sylveria]

Biggest issue I've had to overcome with VR in ED so far have been the Galaxy Map (which takes quite a bit of tweaking with controls to get navigating it right) and perhaps even the FOV periphery issues (everything is a bit more narrow in VR) but other than that it's been a real blast. I just wish keyboarding wasn't quite so difficult when using a HOTAS, as depth perception is a bit different when you've got a headset on. I touch type, so not seeing the keys isn't an issue, it's finding the keyboard to begin with. LOL

I'm actually looking at simpit options to rectify this, but if I'm going to go that route, I'll likely save up some cash to make sure it's well worth the effort.

 

[[VR] optimal_909]

Narrow FOV certainly needs some time to get used to, but I just realized how much it helps me aiming with fixed weapons. In general, combat is ridiculously good in VR.
SRV is still a challenge, so is flying close to surface in a fast ship.

In the meantime, I'm optimizing the controls. Especially the shortcuts I don't need anymore, like looking at the menus, or switching to head turning. For example, now I assigned mouse 3 for jumping, which is very convenient. My aim is to forego lifting my hands unless I'm typing.

Again, it is fantastic to rediscover the basics of the game, step-by-step.

 

[-VR- Max Factor]

I love my rift. Hoping to love my Pimax when I get it even more. But I will need a new GPU.

VR is the best way to play the game in my view.

 

[Frank]

There's one thing that still gives me pleasure in VR, much to the annoyance of my teammates. Try boosting through the station slot.

Voice attack is a fantastic addition to VR, but if you find yourself barking the same command over and over again, you might want to consider purchasing a footswitch.

Welcome to the more voluminous world of VR

ONE OF US!
ONE OF US!
ONE OF US!

 

[[VR] optimal_909]

I love my rift. Hoping to love my Pimax when I get it even more. But I will need a new GPU.

VR is the best way to play the game in my view.

I'm curious how Pimax will shape, but I guess top tier VRs will be quite pricey, so I think I'll keep the Rift for some time. I just hope VR takes off properly, and FDev continues to support it, because there is no way back to 2D.
Got a used MSI Armor 1080ti - realized it is considered a Lemon after I bought it - actually it is decent at 70C if a bit loud, which doesn't bother me with the Rift on. I will undervolt it and see if it gets better. Anyway, it is more than capable of handling Elite in VR.

There's one thing that still gives me pleasure in VR, much to the annoyance of my teammates. Try boosting through the station slot.

Voice attack is a fantastic addition to VR, but if you find yourself barking the same command over and over again, you might want to consider purchasing a footswitch.

Welcome to the more voluminous world of VR

ONE OF US!
ONE OF US!
ONE OF US!

Indeed! Now, that I started reconfiguring the keyboard it seems I won't need voice attack. Playing KB+M in VR is actually very good.

*****

What is stunning how natural and good it feels to fly around in these ships in space. It feels like we humans are meant to do this in real life as well.
Oh, and Coriolis spaceports are the business, those look much-much better in VR!

 

[[VR] Frank_G]

Welcome to VR!

Elite is still the best VR experience and playing 2D (in general) became a complete no go for me.

I strongly recommend trying a HOTAS though. It takes time to get used to, but once you are familiar, there is no going back neither... Also the immersive feeling seeing your virtual body react almost instantly to your real body motion is pretty convincing.

To enhance the feeling of being there even more, i can recommend the use of chair mounted transducers. Feeling the engine shaking your chair and having feedback from SRV wheels, hits to the ship and such things is a whole level higher and adds a lot to the drama and tension of piloting a ship through

Be seeing you in the (3D) void CMDR

o7

 

[[VR] Frank_G]

Oh i forgot...

One serious advice. Do not try to fight nausea or headache you might get from longer sessions.

On the slightest issue, stop playing and rest, or you might end up being unable to ever play in VR without nausea again... Your brain needs to adapt to the new input and it should by no means be forced to do so...
I had nausea after playing for 30 minutes when i started playing in VR, but over a period of a few weeks, play-sessions got longer and longer with no further effort. Today i can play for several hours straight.

 

[Sweet&Dandy]

You seeing this DB?

 

[Alec Turner]

Re: the Apollo 11 experience, it was actually one of the first experiences I ever got (that was before the Touch controllers were launched). There's a sequence where you go into space for the first time and you're looking out of the window as you orbit the Earth while Aldrin (I think) speaks about the experience. The first time I showed this to my wife (it was one of her first ever VR experiences) she broke down in floods of tears. It was incredible and strangely beautiful to watch, she just found it so overwhelming.