Greetings Commanders,
Ive been looking at the various options to improve imersion into the game. Below are my finds and thoughts. I welcome any constructive thoughts or comments you may have, please keep your replies on-topic and constructive:
Oculus rift
This is no doubt the first of many types of modern VR headsets we will start to see through 2014 and beyond. At the time of writing there is no firm release data for OR, with an updated headset in the works we could see second generation (Crystal Cove) or even third before it hits the commercial market.
Level of imersion
It offers (imo) is the most immersive solution available. Once configured and fitted your visual senses only see the game your playing with no real world distractions.
Cost
$300 (£183) for the current development model, rumours of cheaper solutions when launched.
Practicality
Needing to wear a headset may not be the most practical for everyone, its weight might effect how long you can wear the device for. Also being so imersed in a game and not being able to see (or maybe hear) what is going on in the real world could also be a concern - its bad enough when I wear a headset and someone comes into the room!
Other considerations
Ive read a number of articles from people who have used/tested the current OR device. One thing that appears time and time again is how long people can use it before a) they get a stiff neck b) suffer from nausia or c) get a headache. I would be interested in hearing from people who use it and if they have suffered any of the above, or other side effects...
Multiple Monitors
Having multiple monitors isnt new, people use mutiple screens for multi-boxing a game or for enhanced features/imersion within a game for years.
Level of imersion
Not so imersive as OR as you can still see real world events, however like most people who play flight sims with multiple monitors it does feel more realistic than a single monitor.
Cost
Looking at a standard 24" monitor with 1920 x 1080 resolution you are looking in the region of £200 per monitor and around £300 for a triple stand - £900 in total
Practicality
Some people may have issues with the space needed to accomodate such a setup. It does offer more flexibility in regards to other users besides gaming.
Other considerations
Power three monitors by its very nature may require a more powerful video card, which in turn could increase the overall cost.
TrackIR or similair
Headtracking solutions offer an additional level of immersion, but falls short of the total imersion offered by OR. Headtracking solutions have been available for a few years now and are a tried and tested solution, with improved solution coming out on a fairly regular basis.
Level of immersion[/B]
Headtracking solutions allow for a higher level of immersion by translating your head movements into the game, be it turning your head to the left/right/up or down to peeking around corners and alike (great for FPS sytle games). I would say it is more immersive than multiple monitors, but not as immersive as OR.
Cost
In the region of $150 (£91) for TrackIR5 (Pro version also available). The cost for this solution isnt as cost prohibative as the other options.
Practicality
The solutions typically require the user to have some sort of device attached to either a cap or headset (other solutions are available with self build solutions), in addition to this a INFRA-Red webcam or similair module is also required. Wearing a cap/hat and/or a headset may not be convenient, although a fair proportion of people wear a headset for communications reasons. Comfort may be a factor for both solutions - though this will boil down to personal choice.
Other considerations
The cap solution does not require any additional wires so in a practical sense this seems easier than a wired module attached to your headset. A high level of sunlight can cause interference so depending on the location of your computer this could be an issue. People also have had issues with the Pro (headset) module not working as effectivly as the cap module, and the reliability is also in question.
Conclusion
There is no doubting that increasing the level of immersion offers more depth and feeling within a game, however with so many different options available choosing the right solution isnt as straight forward. Depending on how deep your pockets are, your real world commitments (family etc) and even the space you have for your system all have an impact on which solution you could use.
Recommendations
Most immersive solution - Oculus Rift
Most cost effective solution - TrackIR (headtracking)
Most practical solution - TrackIR (headtracking)
Most flexible solution - Multiple monitors
These of course are my thoughts and are prone to being incorrect or somewhat based on assumptions! As I have already mentioned I welcome any comments or feedback the ED community has.
Fly safe (not backwards!)
Kro
Ive been looking at the various options to improve imersion into the game. Below are my finds and thoughts. I welcome any constructive thoughts or comments you may have, please keep your replies on-topic and constructive:
Oculus rift
This is no doubt the first of many types of modern VR headsets we will start to see through 2014 and beyond. At the time of writing there is no firm release data for OR, with an updated headset in the works we could see second generation (Crystal Cove) or even third before it hits the commercial market.
Level of imersion
It offers (imo) is the most immersive solution available. Once configured and fitted your visual senses only see the game your playing with no real world distractions.
Cost
$300 (£183) for the current development model, rumours of cheaper solutions when launched.
Practicality
Needing to wear a headset may not be the most practical for everyone, its weight might effect how long you can wear the device for. Also being so imersed in a game and not being able to see (or maybe hear) what is going on in the real world could also be a concern - its bad enough when I wear a headset and someone comes into the room!
Other considerations
Ive read a number of articles from people who have used/tested the current OR device. One thing that appears time and time again is how long people can use it before a) they get a stiff neck b) suffer from nausia or c) get a headache. I would be interested in hearing from people who use it and if they have suffered any of the above, or other side effects...
Multiple Monitors
Having multiple monitors isnt new, people use mutiple screens for multi-boxing a game or for enhanced features/imersion within a game for years.
Level of imersion
Not so imersive as OR as you can still see real world events, however like most people who play flight sims with multiple monitors it does feel more realistic than a single monitor.
Cost
Looking at a standard 24" monitor with 1920 x 1080 resolution you are looking in the region of £200 per monitor and around £300 for a triple stand - £900 in total
Practicality
Some people may have issues with the space needed to accomodate such a setup. It does offer more flexibility in regards to other users besides gaming.
Other considerations
Power three monitors by its very nature may require a more powerful video card, which in turn could increase the overall cost.
TrackIR or similair
Headtracking solutions offer an additional level of immersion, but falls short of the total imersion offered by OR. Headtracking solutions have been available for a few years now and are a tried and tested solution, with improved solution coming out on a fairly regular basis.
Level of immersion[/B]
Headtracking solutions allow for a higher level of immersion by translating your head movements into the game, be it turning your head to the left/right/up or down to peeking around corners and alike (great for FPS sytle games). I would say it is more immersive than multiple monitors, but not as immersive as OR.
Cost
In the region of $150 (£91) for TrackIR5 (Pro version also available). The cost for this solution isnt as cost prohibative as the other options.
Practicality
The solutions typically require the user to have some sort of device attached to either a cap or headset (other solutions are available with self build solutions), in addition to this a INFRA-Red webcam or similair module is also required. Wearing a cap/hat and/or a headset may not be convenient, although a fair proportion of people wear a headset for communications reasons. Comfort may be a factor for both solutions - though this will boil down to personal choice.
Other considerations
The cap solution does not require any additional wires so in a practical sense this seems easier than a wired module attached to your headset. A high level of sunlight can cause interference so depending on the location of your computer this could be an issue. People also have had issues with the Pro (headset) module not working as effectivly as the cap module, and the reliability is also in question.
Conclusion
There is no doubting that increasing the level of immersion offers more depth and feeling within a game, however with so many different options available choosing the right solution isnt as straight forward. Depending on how deep your pockets are, your real world commitments (family etc) and even the space you have for your system all have an impact on which solution you could use.
Recommendations
Most immersive solution - Oculus Rift
Most cost effective solution - TrackIR (headtracking)
Most practical solution - TrackIR (headtracking)
Most flexible solution - Multiple monitors
These of course are my thoughts and are prone to being incorrect or somewhat based on assumptions! As I have already mentioned I welcome any comments or feedback the ED community has.
Fly safe (not backwards!)
Kro
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