Oculus Rift

[Resonance]

I've been reading a bit about the oculus rift, so i wondered what oc3d members say about this. (i couldn't find a thread about it)

I think it's a pretty nice idea in the area of gaming. However, to me, don't favor the idea of having to turn my head when i want to look. Still I don't know what sort of way that'll work but when i was watching one of the developers play doom, it just seemed a bit stressful, even if it weighs nothing. i know it's just a matter of laziness but it just seems hard to adjust to. that's just me though.

what're your opinions?

 

[leejc73]

I saw a news segment on these a little while ago.

I'm reserving judgement on the product until it's actually available.

The current resolutions aren't exceptional @ 1280x800 but then do they need to be when it's sitting on your face? I don't know.

My biggest concern is the actual weight of the device and it's comfort, if you can't wear it for prolonged periods then it's going to be assigned to the "nice idea/bad experience" cupboard, the size of the headband isn't suggesting it's going to be light and i'm wondering what if any adjustment there may be to the mask itself.

Also depends heavily on the price point.

It seems to be a more considered development than the previous attempts have been but time will tell on how well it's received by gamers.

 

[DragonK8]

this is the future of gaming!

 

[SuB]

Had a go on one at i49. Every single piece of technology in it is utterly superb... except the screen itself.

Was very very impressive however. So long as they can get a good screen in it, i'll be buying a retail one

 

[SparkleDJackson]

was there a mention of price sub. did you get motion sick at all

 

[SuB]

No price it was a dev kit, and it wasn't being properly demo'd just letting people have a go on a chair.

I personally didn't get motion sickness at all (but I don't anyway tbh).

The feeling of moving around is VERY present though, it does make you auto-lean quite a bit, it's hard to explain. Ya know those big dome cinema things they had at theme parks and stuff where you stood up and felt like you had to lean around a bit kinda thing? Like your head is messing with you?

It's like that but x 1000 the 3d and field of view and the fact it's so instantly responsive in movement make it hugely, hugely immersive. Very weird but definitely very cool. Honestly if the screen was a crisp 1080p+ (i reckon to get it right they're gonna have to go higher, or go for a 'retina' approach to double the pixels up) it will be revolutionary in all ways. you have to experience this thing to get it, it's awesome.

 

[SparkleDJackson]

Im guessing you would need an insane system to run something on it though

 

[SuB]

At the kind of resolution it would require (double 1080p in truth) yeah.

It all depends how they tweak the pixels on the display if they can reduce the screen-door effect and get it up to 1080p and still responsive then it'l be epic.

As it stands it's like putting your face up to a screen and seeing all the black lines between pixels, and then the aliasing is quite hellish as well.

This really is pretty much all it needs though, it's a hell of an experience.

 

[SparkleDJackson]

Cool. Ill check it out once more info on the retail edition comes to light

 

[Dark NighT]

I will be buying one just after release.

 

[SuB]

I really wouldn't waste your money if the screen isn't vastly improved.

 

[Cru]

is there a rumored price for this?

 

[Damien c]

I can't remember where I saw it or if I heard it one of the many videos on youtube, but I believe that the retail versions for normal people to buy will have 1080p screens.

 

[SuB]

Until you try it with a 1080p screen i'd still hold off, it really is a deal breaker at this point.

 

[Dark NighT]

Well i have a Novint Falcon and i think combining that with the rift is going to be mind bending madness.

Video of the falcon.

 

[SuB]

Wow i had no idea anyone actually bought one of those....

 

[Dark NighT]

I got that when it was 50% off and had another christmas coupon for an additional 20% of the shipping and overall price, so it was just under 180 dollars to get it all the way from california to the netherlands, i kind of had to and i love it, but ive always wanted something else to go with it and the rift looks like it might be what i need.

 

[SuB]

Yikes, that's still a pretty hefty price for something I've only ever seen supported in one game... (battlefield 2)

 

[Dark NighT]

All valve games upto l4d work on it as well, profiles and controls done by valve and since Novint has developed F-Gen it works with prettymuch any game so long as there is a user made profile for it, which are available on their community website.

 

[SuB]

cool, is it as good as/better than a mouse then ? or is it more of a gimmick?