As the year moves on, so does the technology industry. Sometimes so much happens at once it’s impossible to keep track. This is very true with Virtual Reality, which seems to have found new life in this quarter. Last week we looked at a few new headset on the horizon. However, that was not the only VR news to come this week. Here are the most significant developments to happen last week.
Heavy Price Slash for the Oculus Rift
Image courtesy: Road to VR
This bit of news is probably the most significant for several reasons. It’s good for anyone who is interested in getting their hands on a Rift at a slightly lower price. For Facebook stockholders, however, this isn’t good at all. According to Oculus, the drop in price is due to a decrease in component costs for making the headset. Jason Rubin, head of VR content for Oculus also put a positive spin on the price drop. In a statement to Upload VR, he says, “Less expensive hardware means more people have more money to spend on content and more people, in general, come in. This is 101 for expanding your ecosystem.” This might be true, but the fact that HTC is not going to do the same would suggest there are other motives at play here.
Source: Upload VR
Xbox One and Scorpio will be getting VR support
Image courtesy: Road to VR
Phil Spencer has gone on record saying that until VR content gets better, there won’t be any VR content for the Xbox One or the upcoming Scorpio. Either there are some (Resident Evil 7 and the upcoming VR version of Fallout 4), or the success of the PSVR has changed Microsoft’s tune. By this time next year, you can use one of the many low-cost Microsoft VR headsets on either of these consoles. There is also speculation that either the HTC Vive or the Oculus Rift will be compatible as well. No doubt more information will be available come Scorpio Launch.
Source: ARC
PSVR getting aim gun peripheral with Farpoint
Image courtesy: CNET
Remember in the early days of console gaming when there was nothing but peripherals? Everything from the Powerglove to the Virtuaboy flooded the market. Even though VR headsets themselves can be considered peripherals, it seems like it’s opening the floodgates for even more. When Sony’s VR shooter Farpoint launches in May, it will come bundled with an aim gun. I had the chance to use one last month, and aside from a few sync issues you would expect from a pre-release game, it felt quite natural to use. Nevertheless, buying a VR headset means that more and more plastic will begin to flood your home, that is something to worry about.
Source: International Business Times
New Samsung Gear VR with controller on the horizon
Image courtesy: The Verge
In Singapore, most users will likely experience VR on their mobile phones. In an attempt to bridge the gap between mobile and PC VR, Samsung is launching a new redesigned Gear VR. Aesthetically it will look a bit different, and the lenses have been changed to improve FOV. The main improvement, however, is the introduction of a controller. This will single-handedly resolve the most annoying issue the Gear VR has at the moment, which requires a third-party purchase. Samsung hasn’t announced any release date or price but will bring their headset at the very least to parity with Google’s DayDream View, which launched with its controller.
Source: University Herald
