Mr. Braben is totally wrong about VR

I started with the Vic-20, Ti-99, Apple IIe, Pong, and the Atari 2600, but ended up spending most of my time on the C64 until I turned 16 and got a car lol.

We had the Vic-20. Only game I remember having was some Space Invader type game. Then we got the C64. I thought it was the greatest day ever when we eventually got the disk drive for it. Then I could play some "real" games. My dad wasn't into space games so I missed out on Elite. We had a lot of military games though. Beachhead, Bungling bay, Raid over Moscow ect. We had a game similar to what Splinter Cell is. Special ops guy in an enemy base with rooms full of traps/puzzles.
 
Just thought I'd do a "black cat" on the computer nostalgia...

My first game on a computer was the Star Trek game on the university mainframe ...

We think we got sussed and had our mainframe time cut when they noticed the heavy usage of printer paper rolls due to playing this and also people running-off large wall posters of pin-up girls - ascii images.

I then had a TRS-80 home computer and that later got me into Flight Simulator - the subLogic one, there were no decent space games unless you counted Invaders or Asteroid (there was a tank game supposedly on the moon with pyramids to hide behind - can't remember what that was called). Thankfully the Beeb came along in the 80's with much better graphics although I had to learn a whole new instruction set as I had learned machine-code on the Z80 family (a lot of people were bugged at first by them using the 6502 processor).

Apologies for the OffTopic ramblings. :)
 
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So you talk of steamvr so I am guessing you use a vive or pimax 4k. I dunno if there is an equivalent for those devices but on the rift you can pin your monitor view into your ships cockpit. I admit I don't do it myself (but even so I absolutely often play full sessions in ed without using my screen at all once the game is booted up) but I have seen some rifters playing ED with a "laptop" in their ship for all PC use AND a TV screen for Netflix. I don't think there is a limit for the number of screens you can have in your ship.
I've tried that, but it's not an easy solution (as of yet at least) compared to a simple "alt-tab" on keyboard and monitor. I've played Elite in both SteamVR and Oculus VR, and in neither is the solution easy to use. I've also used virtual windows/screens and such, and using the wands for handling windows, closing, opening menus and selecting, virtual keyboards... really slow and tricky. For instance, sometimes in Beat Saber things happen and you want to go to windows, and I've done it in VR, but trying to hit those menu selections in windows with a laser pointer means, no fun. My hand isn't stable enough at times. Imagine the first generation of tv remotes being a 15 feet stick that you had to click the buttons on the tv with. Some can do it, but can really anyone or everyone do it?

I will check it out some point for interest but I would say that absolutely ... For many things a pc IS fully functional without having a monitor at all. (Aside perhaps for the practically of booting into vr... I am not sure if that works tho I don't see why not)
Maybe you can, but I have tried to use Windows in VR mode. And currently, it's not very efficient. Actually, one of the worst things to try to do is simply closing a window.

You are right about the keyboard but personally I use an x55/x56 hotas and voice attack for game controls.
I think Braben wasn't talking about a VR with HOTAS only, but VR in general. Think of playing any game, or do word processing, or browsing and posting on a forum. It's not a replacement currently for the screen. In its current form it can't be. That's either the technology of using some "mouse" gloves must be available or augmented reality (AR) be developed.

I only need keyboard for making notes and typing system names however I can touch type and there is always the cheat gap near the nose piece of the rift (which I would miss dearly)
Yes, it works (mostly) in Elite, because the game is made for this and it's fairly straightforward, but even then, when I'm using EDDiscovery and other tools, it's just a lot easier to use in normal screen/kb/mouse. It can change, but if we're talking about VR in a bigger perspective, that's what I think Braben is addressing. It's a cool addition and toy to VR, but it's still really too early to replace what we have.
 
Oculus Dash does all of those things right now and has for sometime... To a lesser extent so does OVRDrop on SteamVR devices. I don't and have no need to view my real world display while in VR. This video shows you why:

https://streamable.com/5brbf

Keyboard, check - easy to access 3rd party application, check - moot point, check...
I tried it. Hate it. Too cumbersome. It's like trying to program machine code with a 16-pade hexcode monitor.

The fact that you believe that you need to access third party apps while playing Elite isn't a problem unique to VR, the problem is due to poor design, it is a fault with the game in the sense that is does not provide the player with the tools needed to play the game through interaction with the game or even the cockpit - virtually or otherwise, if this game was designed well you wouldn't need to access them. When you think about that it shows just how out of touch both David and Frontier are when it comes to game design and their approach to it. David is entiled to his opinions but why would I listen to them or take them seriously when I can see just how out of touch he actually is? 2018 was promised to bring improvements to the CORE game and by extension core gameplay, all I see is a few additional ships and the promise of yet another 'out of cockpit' seperated subset of tools. It is clear that Frontier either lack imagination or have it but do not have the ability, resources or skill to follow through. In 2018 Frontier well and truely failed to bring any tangable improvement to any area of the game is the fact we're now seeing.
I think Braben wasn't talking about VR in Elite, but VR in general.

People have done exactly that, I could have my PC start and open Oculus Home on log in, from where I could complete any task without the need for a keyboard, mouse or traditional display. The question is - why would you want to or need to? I don't even need to have Oculus Home set to auto run, it opens as soon as my headset is placed on my head.
Which means VR is more of a niche than anything else.

VR isn't about replacing your monitor for regular day to day use, I don't even believe that is the goal of VR (although one could cast their thoughts to the standalone VR devices) but it is possible right now to do so. However VR could and for many of us here has replaced our monitors entirely for gaming. What you are saying is almost like me complaining that my HOTAS doesn't both replace and make my keyboard and mouse redundant.
I don't think VR has goals either, since it's a technology and not sentient. ;) But Braben's complaint wasn't about Elite in VR, unless I remember it wrong, but VR as such. There are many games that are perfect for VR, but there also are plenty of games that are not.

AR will only be useful for gaming when AR headsets become dual AR/VR devices. Other than that AR gaming will, for the most part, be gimmicky rubbish which gets old fast, "ooooo look at this computer generated character jump around my room...oooooo..", much like the mobile phone games of today (yes, they tick the box for many people.. for some reason...). AR really shines in real world application, navigation, media consumption etc. It could also be nice to bring the likes of pinball, tabletop games and arcade cabs into your home virtually. Traditional "Computer Gaming" not so much. Why would I want elements of a game projected onto real world objects when I could remove the real world entirely and be immersed completely in computer generated ones? Of course that is preference, but I'd choose total immersion every time.

I've spent time with a Hololens and one thing I'll say, if you think VR has a long way to come, AR devices are way, way, waaaaay behind at the moment. The concept is there, the devices are not. People say that the form factor of VR needs to be a pair of glasses, I say it doesn't it just needs to be functional / comfortable and it is right now, AR however 100% needs to be the form factor of glasses or even contact lenses to be remotely viable - people are not going to be going about their daily lives with a hololens type contraption strapped to their heads.

Will VR replace the monitor when it comes to gaming? In time I believe it will. By the time AR matures enough to be viable playing games on flat screens will be a thing of the past. We'll all look back at flat screen gaming like we do at the 8-bit generation. It will seem comical that people wanted experience games through a small window rather than being in them.
Sure. Which what I'm saying. It's not here yet. As it is right now, VR isn't the big game changer in technology, but an niche technology and as such even then there's a ton of things that needs to be improved. It's coming, but it's not here.
 
Wait....so you're saying I don't have 1500+hrs in ED VR and about 100 or so in SkyrimVR/FalloutVR? Might want to keep "searching" next time :rolleyes:

Oh ok just the way you were talking about it being just a fancy camera angle changer made it sound like you don't like vr but you do then? Which is it ? XD
 
Oh ok just the way you were talking about it being just a fancy camera angle changer made it sound like you don't like vr but you do then? Which is it ? XD

I don't believe there was anything negative in my post. It was a point/counter point post to the person quoted. He claimed vast amounts of FD resources are being put into VR. I disagree since VR in Elite is really nothing more then headlook. As opposed to a game like Skyrim with touch controls and VR friendly UI.

And yes VR is the best $400 impulse buy I've ever made. Since I got it last summer I almost never play on a flat screen.
 
I tried it. Hate it. Too cumbersome. It's like trying to program machine code with a 16-pade hexcode monitor.

What can I say, it works fine on my end....I'd say easier than alt tabbing out of game on a flat screen to be honest. Much more immersive as well as I remain in cockpit at all times. The video I linked shows just how easy it is.

I think Braben wasn't talking about VR in Elite, but VR in general.

My post was in response to your own which mentioned Elite specific issues. I'm not aware of any other VR title which has such need for its user base to use third party apps - just this one so as such I can only assume that parts of your post were mentioning Elite specific issues and not related to Davids comment.

Which means VR is more of a niche than anything else.

Of course it is, no one could argue that at this moment VR is niche, it's relatively new technology that has a high price point at this time. Its not going to remain that way though.

I don't think VR has goals either, since it's a technology and not sentient. ;) But Braben's complaint wasn't about Elite in VR, unless I remember it wrong, but VR as such. There are many games that are perfect for VR, but there also are plenty of games that are not.

Of course companies that make VR HMDs have goals for the products they are making....I doubt that replacing displays for every day computer use is one of them, at least not in the short term anyway. Besides WMR device support is now a native part of the Windows OS.

What games would not translate well to VR? I honestly can't think of any other than 2D platformers.
 
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Yes, it works (mostly) in Elite, because the game is made for this and it's fairly straightforward, but even then, when I'm using EDDiscovery and other tools, it's just a lot easier to use in normal screen/kb/mouse. It can change, but if we're talking about VR in a bigger perspective, that's what I think Braben is addressing. It's a cool addition and toy to VR, but it's still really too early to replace what we have.

ok I guess I agree that in general a vr HMD is not going to replace a screen any time soon.. but i am not sure why that is an issue that he is concerned about would he say the same about a HOTAS or a steering wheel? they are not going to replace a KB/M any time soon, but, in tandem with a KB/M they are completely transformative when used in the correct context... and indeed of the 3 products his company now sells / is actively working on, all 3 of the them would be massively improved if they supported VR.

(ie try no limits roller coaster simulator.... imagine that kind of support in planet coaster.

imagine getting up close and personal with a TRex in Jurassic Park..)
 
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ok I guess I agree that in general a vr HMD is not going to replace a screen any time soon.. but i am not sure why that is an issue that he is concerned about would he say the same about a HOTAS or a steering wheel? they are not going to replace a KB/M any time soon, but, in tandem with a KB/M they are completely transformative when used in the correct context... and indeed of the 3 products his company now sells / is actively working on, all 3 of the them would be massively improved if they supported VR.

(ie try no limits roller coaster simulator.... imagine that kind of support in planet coaster.

imagine getting up close and personal with a TRex in Jurassic Park..)

No idea where this replacing monitor nonsense has come from to be honest. There seems to be a mix up with what Braben said and what Han Zulu has wrote...

Yes Mike, your HOTAS analogy is spot on, I used the same a few posts ago but got the same 'Braben Deflection'.
 
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ok I guess I agree that in general a vr HMD is not going to replace a screen any time soon.. but i am not sure why that is an issue that he is concerned about would he say the same about a HOTAS or a steering wheel? they are not going to replace a KB/M any time soon, but, in tandem with a KB/M they are completely transformative when used in the correct context... and indeed of the 3 products his company now sells / is actively working on, all 3 of the them would be massively improved if they supported VR.

(ie try no limits roller coaster simulator.... imagine that kind of support in planet coaster.

imagine getting up close and personal with a TRex in Jurassic Park..)

Telling though that Frontier had no intention of adding VR support... I asked ... for both games!
 
Telling though that Frontier had no intention of adding VR support... I asked ... for both games!

lol so did i. I vote with my wallet, it is all i can do,

dont get me wrong i may pick them both up one day in a steam sale or humble bundle but once i learned i could not ride the roller coasters in Vr it removed most of the interest i had in the game.
 
And yes VR is the best $400 impulse buy I've ever made. Since I got it last summer I almost never play on a flat screen.

i don't see it replacing the monitor, rather conplementary - especially as 1080p looks like 4k after the Rift. :)
Some games are best played on monitor, some games (Elite) are best played in VR.

And there are some that are VR unique, yesterday I had a blast playing table tennis online. :)
 
lol so did i. I vote with my wallet, it is all i can do,

dont get me wrong i may pick them both up one day in a steam sale or humble bundle but once i learned i could not ride the roller coasters in Vr it removed most of the interest i had in the game.

Being able to visit a park you built in either game in VR would be amazing. :)
 
VR headsets could do with higher res screens...but then that forces users to buy top end GFX cards to power them. Yes, the Vive Pro has 80% more pixels than the CV1...but at £1200 that's just insane.

I don't agree with this. I think higher resolution screens don't necessarily require higher resolution graphics. I think that with scaling we can have reasonable render resolutions on much higher resolution screens and scaling can be done in cheap hardware. Removing the screen door/visible sub pixel effects from the displays is more important than upping the render resolution.

When experiencing VR first with the Oculus DK2 and then the Vive, my most important improvement was the reducing of the screen door effect, not the increase in resolution.

While it would be nice to keep display and render resolution in sync, I'm all for creating higher resolution displays before upping the render resolution. It would improve the experience enormously. And it would not impact the addition of higher resolution rendering at a later stage (if the developers would take this into account through the use of the necessary connectivity options).

The biggest problem I foresee for this technological path is finding affordable high resolution displays. There are some display makers out there that are active in this area, but their products are aimed at the professional video market and thus come with a hefty price tag. Not something that would be conducive for cheap high resolution VR headsets.
 
For me it was the fact you couldn't create a disaster where the roller coaster ran out of track in mid loop and everyone died :(
^actually true

It died for me when I realised this was less of a tycoon game, and seemed to have poured all focus into the "Design your hipster" character creator.

It's a top down management game why even have a character !?
 
It died for me when I realised this was less of a tycoon game, and seemed to have poured all focus into the "Design your hipster" character creator.

It's a top down management game why even have a character !?

Uhm... there's very little focus on designing your character in Planet Coaster.
 
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