Fool me, this is real good shit ! [the VR thread]

[Misfit]

So, bottom line, what's the best VR visor and control devices to buy in 2020. And what are some killer apps for it on Windows 10?

Unless you are going into the non-gaming devices, then the Valve Index is the top-spec at the moment. Best resolution/refresh rate and most advanced controllers. But it's not cheap and you need a top PC to really drive it properly.

Best value/multi-purpose is the Oculus Quest by a mile. PC/Wireless gaming with inside out tracking (ie no base stations needed) and the ability to turn it into a PC headset (via the USB cable supplied, although a high spec USB 3 cable is recommended) or even a wireless PC headset (using virtual desktop and a good router).

You can take the Quest anywhere and it just works in seconds. So easy to get others to try. I've now had 4 friends buy quests after a couple of minutes doing the getting started demo and a bit of Beat Saber...

[gilesgoat]

So, bottom line, what's the best VR visor and control devices to buy in 2020. And what are some killer apps for it on Windows 10?

I would dare to say "Oculus Quest" with the cable (*) so you can attach it to a PC if you like, Polybius, MAVOL1 and soon to be Moose Life, also Half Life Alyx is AMAZING !

(*) it would appear that thanks to some new firmware update is possible to use also the supplied "power only" cable for data transmission, people that tried different cheaper cables said "there's no visual difference whatsoever" only that the "80 pounds Oculus cable" is better constructed.

So it appears that even a 12 pounds cable works as well as the "original" Oculus cable.

Really I always tought that "room space" was more than a gimmick than a real thing .. is isn't , it really adds "an extra dimension" to the experience - TRY BEAT SABER !!!

Also it's light, has NO WIRES .. it's really what you want ! You can bring it around, you have "nothing" to set up ! No wires, no cameras , no shit !

[Misfit]

Killer apps? Probably...

Beat Saber
Half Life Alyx
Google Earth

But there is tons of great stuff now. I love Box VR, Thrill of the Fight and Oh Shape for lockdown workouts and then off the top of my head there is Superhot, Eleven table tennis, Racket Nx, Pistol Whip and The Room which are all great.

[gilesgoat]

So, bottom line, what's the best VR visor and control devices to buy in 2020. And what are some killer apps for it on Windows 10?

*SNIP*

Unless you are going into the non-gaming devices, then the Valve Index is the top-spec at the moment. Best resolution/refresh rate and most advanced controllers. But it's not cheap and you need a top PC to really drive it properly.

I'd be very curious to test one but I suppose that's also "all another kind of fish" where you need a beefy PC with some RTX20 something or RADEON dunno what and a power horse PC.

Now .. I have the "older" VIVE here .. the first time you see it you think "wow that's amazing" .. but then you wear it .. and "ok unless you are into that" feels like wearing some military bulk equipment.

It's definitely "solid" .. but also "too solid for its own good"... problem is "the magic kinda vanishes a bit" when you actually start LOOKING into it, true the resolution is a bit higher, the colours are a bit better, the god rays are less ..

BUT .. the VISUAL FIELD is NOT "that big" at all, you have the effect "looking through goggles" .. amd it's really heavy .. compared to Oculus does not stand the comparision well.

Ergonomically speaking ( and I speak here having 4 different VR systems I switch/test/compare all time ) "nothing beats PSVR yet", yes PSVR is "bulky" too but as weight distibution and comfort goes beats all the others ... EXCEPT maybe the Quest.

But overall, give that "you can have with cable OR without cable" I'd go for the Quest.

[gilesgoat]

Killer apps? Probably...

Beat Saber
Half Life Alyx
Google Earth

But there is tons of great stuff now. I love Box VR, Thrill of the Fight and Oh Shape for lockdown workouts and then off the top of my head there is Superhot, Eleven table tennis, Racket Nx, Pistol Whip and The Room which are all great.

I DO NOT KNOW if it's available for PC as well .. but Skyrim VR is "a thing of SUPER LOVE"

[Misfit]

So, bottom line, what's the best VR visor and control devices to buy in 2020. And what are some killer apps for it on Windows 10?

I would dare to say "Oculus Quest" with the cable (*) so you can attach it to a PC if you like, Polybius, MAVOL1 and soon to be Moose Life, also Half Life Alyx is AMAZING !

(*) it would appear that thanks to some new firmware update is possible to use also the supplied "power only" cable for data transmission, people that tried different cheaper cables said "there's no visual difference whatsoever" only that the "80 pounds Oculus cable" is better constructed.

So it appears that even a 12 pounds cable works as well as the "original" Oculus cable.

Really I always tought that "room space" was more than a gimmick than a real thing .. is isn't , it really adds "an extra dimension" to the experience - TRY BEAT SABER !!!

Also it's light, has NO WIRES .. it's really what you want ! You can bring it around, you have "nothing" to set up ! No wires, no cameras , no shit !

Yes, the last update makes it work on USB 2 although haven't tried it yet.

Doing so well with a wireless/virtual desktop setup I'm not even going to try the link cable.

And you are right, it's the no wires/take anywhere that takes the Quest to a whole new level. That more than makes up for the games not being PC 'quality'. But then you can have PC quality too

[gilesgoat]

So, bottom line, what's the best VR visor and control devices to buy in 2020. And what are some killer apps for it on Windows 10?

I would dare to say "Oculus Quest" with the cable (*) so you can attach it to a PC if you like, Polybius, MAVOL1 and soon to be Moose Life, also Half Life Alyx is AMAZING !

(*) it would appear that thanks to some new firmware update is possible to use also the supplied "power only" cable for data transmission, people that tried different cheaper cables said "there's no visual difference whatsoever" only that the "80 pounds Oculus cable" is better constructed.

So it appears that even a 12 pounds cable works as well as the "original" Oculus cable.

Really I always tought that "room space" was more than a gimmick than a real thing .. is isn't , it really adds "an extra dimension" to the experience - TRY BEAT SABER !!!

Also it's light, has NO WIRES .. it's really what you want ! You can bring it around, you have "nothing" to set up ! No wires, no cameras , no shit !

Yes, the last update makes it work on USB 2 although haven't tried it yet.

Doing so well with a wireless/virtual desktop setup I'm not even going to try the link cable.

And you are right, it's the no wires/take anywhere that takes the Quest to a whole new level. That more than makes up for the games not being PC 'quality'. But then you can have PC quality too

We try now to develop "high quality stuff with a lower denominator" .. specifically "it has to run very well and look very well on Quest" .. and it works well there, it'll work even "more wonderful" on a PC

I think you can get some really good Quality even given some limitations, of course "fuck off your new Unreal whatever engine gazillion polygons" .. "gazillion poly alone don't make a good game"

[Misfit]

We try now to develop "high quality stuff with a lower denominator" .. specifically "it has to run very well and look very well on Quest" .. and it works well there, it'll work even "more wonderful" on a PC

I think you can get some really good Quality even given some limitations, of course, "fuck off your new Unreal whatever engine gazillion polygons" .. "gazillion poly alone don't make a good game"

Very excited you're looking at native Quest versions, but glad I don't have to wait /rely on them now my PC is up to speed.

What is being done with the Quest is unbelievable really. I mean it's basically a couple of year old phone dealing with inside out tracking, full-motion controls, a guardian system so you don't hit the wall and still running some great looking games.

[gilesgoat]

We try now to develop "high quality stuff with a lower denominator" .. specifically "it has to run very well and look very well on Quest" .. and it works well there, it'll work even "more wonderful" on a PC

I think you can get some really good Quality even given some limitations, of course, "fuck off your new Unreal whatever engine gazillion polygons" .. "gazillion poly alone don't make a good game"

Very excited you're looking at native Quest versions, but glad I don't have to wait /rely on them now my PC is up to speed.

What is being done with the Quest is unbelievable really. I mean it's basically a couple of year old phone dealing with inside out tracking, full-motion controls, a guardian system so you don't hit the wall and still running some great looking games.

Yes it's impressive .. it means you can do A LOT when you create "a dedicated system" and throw away "all the crap you don't need".

How you seen HOW WELL HAND TRACKING WORKS ???? And it's all done by the camera/etc. ?

Ok "it's still improving" but heck can get quite well some "basic gestures" and fingers tracking and such .. and still keep decent framerate going !! And all the rest !!!

[Misfit]

How you seen HOW WELL HAND TRACKING WORKS ???? And it's all done by the camera/etc. ?

Yes surprisingly good, but does show the quest probably needs another camera to help keep the hands in view.

Got my Quest on launch in 2019 and I think it's probably my tech of the decade and I'd used VR and had a Rift before that (although you probably used mine more than I did!)

[ElfQrin]

Thank you everybody. So Oculus Quest it is! I should get it on Monday.

This is currently my wishlist for it on Steam:

- Virtual Desktop (2016-03-31; VR only; seated / standing): 12.99 E
- Bigscreen Beta (2016-04-28; VR only; seated): Free
- Google Spotlight Stories. Back to the Moon (2018-05-02; VR only; seated / standing / room): Free
- Google Earth VR (2016-11-16; VR only; seated / standing / room): Free
- International Space Station Tour (2018-03-23; VR only; seated / standing): Free
- War Robots VR. The Skirmish (2017-08-10; VR only; seated): Free
- Half-Life. Alyx (2020-03-25; VR only; seated / standing / room): 49.99 E
- Arizona Sunshine (2016-12-06; VR only; standing / room): 39.99 E
- Rest In Pieces (2019-11-16; VR only; standing / room): 49.99 E
- Rise of the Tomb Raider (2016-01-28; VR supported; seated / standing / room): 29.99 E (includes Season Pass)
- X-Plane 11 (2017-03-30; VR supported; seated / standing / room): 64.99 E

[Misfit]

Thank you everybody. So Oculus Quest it is! I should get it on Monday.

This is currently my wishlist for it on Steam:

- Virtual Desktop (2016-03-31; VR only; seated / standing): 12.99 E
- Bigscreen Beta (2016-04-28; VR only; seated): Free
- Google Spotlight Stories. Back to the Moon (2018-05-02; VR only; seated / standing / room): Free
- Google Earth VR (2016-11-16; VR only; seated / standing / room): Free
- International Space Station Tour (2018-03-23; VR only; seated / standing): Free
- War Robots VR. The Skirmish (2017-08-10; VR only; seated): Free
- Half-Life. Alyx (2020-03-25; VR only; seated / standing / room): 49.99 E
- Arizona Sunshine (2016-12-06; VR only; standing / room): 39.99 E
- Rest In Pieces (2019-11-16; VR only; standing / room): 49.99 E
- Rise of the Tomb Raider (2016-01-28; VR supported; seated / standing / room): 29.99 E (includes Season Pass)
- X-Plane 11 (2017-03-30; VR supported; seated / standing / room): 64.99 E

Nice.

Note, if you are doing the Virtual Desktop wireless approach to games you need to use SideQuest to update the version you've bought on the Quest so it can patch it to work with the Steam, Vive and Oculus store-bought games, apparently Oculus wouldn't approve this in the official release.

https://sidequestvr.com/
https://www.vrdesktop.net/

[zbandito]

Echo Combat

[ElfQrin]

My Day 1 impressions about the Oculus Quest.

First thing: Wow! Really wow! Totally immersive. When you remove the headset it's weird to find yourself back in your room.

The downsides:

- The installation process is very long and tricky if you want to play games with SteamVR. In 2020 I'd expect to connect the device to the PC, the Operating System immediately installs all drivers and stuff and Steam welcomes you to the new SteamVR experience. Actually instead it's worst than a Windows 95/98 device installation nightmare: I had to install tons software and apps on three different devices: the headset itself, the smartphone, and the PC, download stuff from websites using the Web browser, and then install many apps for different platforms (Oculus, SideQuest, Steam...), I even had to download and install a driver manually from DLLs. Then I had to register on many of these platforms and apps, which often required to put the headset on and off because of data input or confirmation boxes on a different device.

- Motion sickness!!! I've found I can mitigate it with a fan and by walking on the spot while moving.

- You need a large room to fully appreciate the experience when you move, otherwise you'll always see the limits of the virtual cage.

[Misfit]

My Day 1 impressions about the Oculus Quest.

First thing: Wow! Really wow! Totally immersive. When you remove the headset it's weird to find yourself back in your room.

The downsides:

- The installation process is very long and tricky if you want to play games with SteamVR. In 2020 I'd expect to connect the device to the PC, the Operating System immediately installs all drivers and stuff and Steam welcomes you to the new SteamVR experience. Actually instead it's worst than a Windows 95/98 device installation nightmare: I had to install tons software and apps on three different devices: the headset itself, the smartphone, and the PC, download stuff from websites using the Web browser, and then install many apps for different platforms (Oculus, SideQuest, Steam...), I even had to download and install a driver manually from DLLs. Then I had to register on many of these platforms and apps, which often required to put the headset on and off because of data input or confirmation boxes on a different device.

- Motion sickness!!! I've found I can mitigate it with a fan and by walking on the spot while moving.

- You need a large room to fully appreciate the experience when you move, otherwise you'll always see the limits of the virtual cage.

So the downsides...

-Installation, well if you use a Quest as it's primarily intended, as a standalone VR device, setup is practically zero and it just works. If you use a Quest on the PC as Oculus recommends with the Link cable, although it's in Beta, is still pretty seamless.

If you want to use the quest via wireless using Virtual Desktop, then you are doing something completely unsupported by Oculus and hacked in by the enterprising world out there. So, yes, it's going to be a bit of a pain in the arse. But if you get it working well, and it sounds like you did. It's worth it!

-Motion sickness will vary by game, if you go straight for those where you walk/run around that's often where you are most at risk. Many games will have comfort settings and many games should have no effect. You'll also get better with time.

-Room size needed again will vary very much per game, many can get away with pretty small spaces, but you're right, the bigger the better.