VR (DK2) vs VR-lite (3D Vision + EDTRacker Pro) + bonus fact: best in-game ship for VR

VR andysonofbob

VR andysonofbob
[I created the 3D Vision fix so I'm fairly sure I needn't worry about hurting my own feelings...]
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tl;dr: VR (DK2) wins, obviously.
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I have gamed in 3D for nearly 10 years now. I can't no longer play in 2D because I can't get immersed. I am addicted to games. I eat drink dream games. BUT can effortlessly walk past any game when not in 3D. I currently have a DK2 on loan from a kind friend.
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***DAY 1***
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I put it on and executed the OR software's desktop simulator to acclimatise. Pretty cool! I was in the room. Yes I tried to touch the card towers.
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Ran ED:H
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ROUND #1 - DK2
  • My experience went something like this:
  • Looked around the cockpit of my Asp E.
  • Noticed how big it was.
  • Looked at the floor.
  • Felt vertigo (the good kind).
  • Noticed I was actually holding my breath. Literally took my breath away!
  • Lined up for docking at an outpost (FA Off at all times)
  • Noticed how big it was.
  • Double take of the size of the outpost.
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  • Docked
  • Noticed the blur
  • Noticed I had to keep the head kit at precisely the right place to keep the blur to a minimum
  • Noticed I really had to tighten the headgear
  • Noticed the 'dots'
  • Noticed the text!
  • Noticed I was conscious of the headgear.
  • Noticed I had to sit up really straight.
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  • Undocked
  • Tried some combat
  • Noticed the blur
  • Took off the unit
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INTERLUDE
  • Felt actual dismay at how small my 27" monitor now looked.
  • Marvelled at how clear and vibrant it was.
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ROUND #2 3D Vision + EDTracker Pro
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  • Noticed how sensitive I had the headtracking
  • Turned down sensitivity
  • Aware of the 'light' aspect of VR 'lite'.
  • Considered how much smaller things seemed
  • But very much aware at how much brighter and clearer things seemed in game
  • Quickly back in the immersion zone
  • Wife called me to bed.
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INTERLUDE
  • Snuck in a quick Rift demo. Temple Run clone. My first impression of 3rd person perspective games in VR wasn't great. Frankly 3D Vision won here, with regard immersion in similar games (toyification, looking down a fixed perspective like guns etc.)
  • Quit game
  • Star Conflict - also pants bar looking down at the floor which resulted in good vertigo.
  • Remembered weight
  • Remembered text
  • Remembered bad things basically
  • Looked at the cables
  • Wasn't sure what to do with it
  • Boxed the headgear but kept the camera plugged in
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***DAY 2***
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  • Serious, I mean SERIOUS cogitation about giving the DK2 another go or not.
  • Decided I was borrowing it so might not get another chance.
  • Unboxed and connected DK2
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ROUND #3 - DK2
  • Blown away
  • Blown away
  • Blown away
  • Looked at the size of the handles in the Asp E
  • Blown away
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  • Looked at the planet
  • Landed
  • Bummed about in the SRV
  • Realised I was really enjoying just jumping about on the planet.
  • Didn't want to leave the surface
  • Returned to the ship
  • Noticed it looked massive
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  • Swapped the Asp E for a DBS (super quick, super manoeuvrable, super FOV)
  • Returned to planet
  • FA off
  • Low flying
  • Red impact lights flashing
  • Thrilling
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  • Crossed a ravine
  • First thoughts: jumping across this in the SRV would be SWEET!
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  • Boosted hitting the lateral thruster
  • Watched the surface rapidly drop away from me.
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GAME OVER
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VERDICT
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DK2 wins
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BUT
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I could return to VR-lite, push come shove and very quickly re-acclimatise. But I REALLY couldn't play ED in 2D. I think going back to VR-lite is doable because it is in stereo which, let's face it is the biggest deal when it comes to VR and you also have head tracking, which is nice too.
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Anyway!!!
Had to get that off my chest.
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p.s.
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As promised...
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DBS is the best ship to fly using VR: FACT!
 

Sir.Tj

The Moderator who shall not be Blamed....
Volunteer Moderator
Sir.Tj
I enjoyed reading that.

Esp the wife called you to bed bit. :D

I've got the DK2 and have not played ED on the 37" HD screen I was happy with once since I first put the DK2 on.

There's really no going back for me.
 

VR andysonofbob

VR andysonofbob
Cheers mate!

I can't believe how much of a different game ED:H is, with the Rift. And I feel so much better now I have that off my chest - phew!

I'm sure you'll be relieved to know the nightly bedtime exchange is back to normal; I have zero interest in trying any other game. "Bedtime" , "Just docking" :)
 

Soda Popinski

Soda Popinski
I assume you were using the latest Oculus runtime (0.8). You'll actually get less blur if you install 0.5 or 0.6 and run in Extended mode.
 

vic

V
Same here Dude!

If my DK2 broke before I got one of the new upcoming hmd's, I simply would not play at all, period!
Just like I cannot watch TV on the old square tube TV's anymore.
 

Karnath

Karnath
Great post, it's been such a long time since I've read somebody having their first experience of ED in VR with the DK2
It's always great to read about people's first impressions when they see what a game changer VR is
 

Mazhurg

Mazhurg
And there is another reason why I can't play this game plain Jane....

Dk2 since the start, beter HMD in the future -> BUT -> VR all the way!
 

VR andysonofbob

VR andysonofbob
vic said:
Andy why do you think the DBS is better in VR than say the ASP exp?
Click to expand...

Hello mate!
Reasonable question, considering my balsy assertion.

me; said:
  • Swapped the Asp E for a DBS (super quick, super manoeuvrable, super FOV)
Click to expand...

I have listed various scenarios and the ship which I believe offers the most 'wow!' factor for that role using VR and VR-L. VR-L conviently provides a decent benchmark WOW! factor. The greater the difference, the greater the WOW! factor. The more WOW! factor for the scenario, the higher the ship associated to is rated. Clear as mud?

This is what I thought:

  • Supercruise: VR > VR-L; ASP E but all of the open canopy, high FoV ships come close here
  • Docked inside any station: VR > VR-L; probably any ship you like the look of
  • Casual Combat: VR > VR-L; Vulture
  • Super close quarters combat: VR >> VR-L; Vulture
  • Flying relatively near objects e.g. outposts, meteorites, planets: VR >> VR-L; ASP E but all of the open canopy, high FoV ships come close here
  • Flying around planet's surfaces: VR >>> VR-L; DBS super quick, super manoeuvrable, super FOV I also play FA OFF)
  • Buzzing planet outposts or PoVs: VR >>> VR-L; DBS
  • Dangerously low flying: VR >>>> VR-L; DBS
  • Canyon running: VR >>>> VR-L; DBS

As you can see, if we were assessing ED and not ED:H, the Asp E or Vulture would win depending on your playstyle
but with ED:H the stuff Horizons offers is just so mind blowing in VR! Dangerous flying in VR is what VR is all about, right?

What are you thoughts?
 
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