Oculus Quest All-in-One VR gaming system costs $399

[HEXUS]

Wireless system launches in Spring with controllers, 64GB, 6DoF, 1440p per eye.

Read more.

[scaryjim]

Breakthrough inside-out tracking

I suspect Acer might want to question just how much of a breakthrough that really is... https://www.ebuyer.com/823549-acer-windows-mixed-reality-vr-headset-motion-controll-vd-r05ee-003

[DanceswithUnix]

I suspect Acer might want to question just how much of a breakthrough that really is... https://www.ebuyer.com/823549-acer-w...l-vd-r05ee-003

I thought they did have something similar, but that link is for a Windows headset that needs a PC and cables

[cheesemp]

I just want a really cheap headset for my PC... Still cost more than a decent monitor!

[DanceswithUnix]

I just want a really cheap headset for my PC... Still cost more than a decent monitor!

You are buying a pair of 1080x1200 90Hz monitors, with lenses, tracking systems and vr controllers.

Having said that, I do most of my gaming sit-down in driving games and Elite. I believe for that sort of use you can actually plug a PS4 headset into a PC with a program that costs 15 euros.

https://www.windowscentral.com/how-p...playstation-vr

The PSVR is more of a mass market product and probably shows how cheap they can be made atm. CEX seem to have them second hand at £145 for just the headset.

[scaryjim]

I thought they did have something similar, but that link is for a Windows headset that needs a PC and cables

I believe they're first to the consumer market with a self-contained VR device (I don't know if the planned AMD-powered device for professional iomaging applications ever got made), but the article states that "inside-out" tracking is a breakthrough, which it clearly isn't...

[cheesemp]

You are buying a pair of 1080x1200 90Hz monitors, with lenses, tracking systems and vr controllers.

Having said that, I do most of my gaming sit-down in driving games and Elite. I believe for that sort of use you can actually plug a PS4 headset into a PC with a program that costs 15 euros.

https://www.windowscentral.com/how-p...playstation-vr

The PSVR is more of a mass market product and probably shows how cheap they can be made atm. CEX seem to have them second hand at £145 for just the headset.

Oh I get that - Some of the Microsoft based headsets have hit £200 as they are failing to sell. It just still a lot of cash for something I wouldn't use that much... I'd be happy with one without controllers and no room tracking if they could just make it cheaper as I'd only be able to use it at my desk anyway!

[DanceswithUnix]

I believe they're first to the consumer market with a self-contained VR device (I don't know if the planned AMD-powered device for professional iomaging applications ever got made), but the article states that "inside-out" tracking is a breakthrough, which it clearly isn't...

I assume inside out tracking is easier if you can dedicate a desktop PC core or two to the problem, on a stand along device tracking that would seem hard. Interesting that Acer use two cameras for tracking, the Oculus seems to use 4. I presume that makes it easier or maybe just possible as processing twice the video feeds can't be light on power.

Oh I get that - Some of the Microsoft based headsets have hit £200 as they are failing to sell. It just still a lot of cash for something I wouldn't use that much... I'd be happy with one without controllers and no room tracking if they could just make it cheaper as I'd only be able to use it at my desk anyway!

You can buy just the Rift headset, but the full kit with hand controllers is often on offer so doesn't cost any more. A pair of controllers is £100, the headset with controllers is often £350, but I have never seen a headset for £250. That is the sort of money I bought in at, thanks to some Amazon vouchers I got as an award from work, I don't think I would ever have paid full price. I also only got it because I had a brief play with a PSVR, because before then I didn't really get it.

I have heard of the half price Mixed Reality sets but only seen them in the US. Over here I see Amazon has the Acer for £300 which is the best I have seen.

My dad quite fancies playing Spitfire flight simulators, but between the headset and the PC upgrades he isn't jumping to it.

[Ttaskmaster]

VR in 4,000ft²?
That means going outside, for most people. I foresee some accidents on the horizon, probably from something like Pokemon: Go-VR, or GTA-VR!!

[Spud1]

It's a real shame they are still putting all their (publicly facing) effort into these stand-alone devices - still no sign of a PC tethered wireless option Oculus? These stand alone headsets are very limited in use and appeal...I am still here waiting for a wireless PC connected rift with a screen bump to 4k. Then I will upgrade happily For now I will keep using my OG rift setup

The Vive isn't really an option when you've owned a rift - its vastly more uncomfortable and such a PITA to setup and configure (and those wands...I can't stand them compared to Oculus Touch).

[Saracen]

It's a real shame they are still putting all their (publicly facing) effort into these stand-alone devices - still no sign of a PC tethered wireless option Oculus? These stand alone headsets are very limited in use and appeal...I am still here waiting for a wireless PC connected rift with a screen bump to 4k. Then I will upgrade happily For now I will keep using my OG rift setup

The Vive isn't really an option when you've owned a rift - its vastly more uncomfortable and such a PITA to setup and configure (and those wands...I can't stand them compared to Oculus Touch).

I'm not sure I agree about limited appeal.

Let's face it, if this is an entirely standd-alone VR gaming system, at a XBOne/PS4 price point, then it's aimed at those that don't want PC-based systems, of the faff, hassle and complications of such. They're aimed at people that can pop down to Argos, pick one up, go home and get playing, and not have go worry about compatibility with this or that, or installing/updating drivers, etc.

In other words, nass market, not enthusiast. And me.

Personally, I have some questions, not least, will this give me the screaming headache I associate with VR (and 3D TV for that matter)? Secondly, is the gsming experience good, are orocessors beefy enough, etc.

And third, am I convinced of long-term on-going support from games mwnufacturers because personally, I'm not forking out on a platform unless I'm convinced I'll still be buying games in several years time.

But, subject to those questions, I'm up for one of these. I just hope it isn't the Betamax to somebody else's VHS.

[Spud1]

I'm not sure I agree about limited appeal.

Let's face it, if this is an entirely stand-alone VR gaming system, at a XBOne/PS4 price point, then it's aimed at those that don't want PC-based systems, of the faff, hassle and complications of such. They're aimed at people that can pop down to Argos, pick one up, go home and get playing, and not have go worry about compatibility with this or that, or installing/updating drivers, etc. .

Yes, definitely aimed at that sort of market - but it's got to be such a small market and isn't it really served by the smartphone "combi" headsets? They do a decent job of giving a VR experience without the effort of an expensive PC to power it. Trying to position the rift as a console in it's own right strikes me as a little bit odd when at least with the current technology it is very likely to be a second (or third?) console that someone buys. At the price they are trying to charge for it that's a lot of money to put down, especially when as you say it's far from certain what the developer support will be (or the longevity of the hardware).

I am a big fan of VR, but the reality of the current technology is that the type of gaming you can do on a VR headset is fairly limited at the moment, at least until Omni directional treadmills become small, light and cheap enough that people are willing to have them in their homes.

I guess we will see how the sales stack up next year

edit: and yes, if you are sensitive to this kind of tech then it very likely will give you a headache or motion sickness in anything where the player character moves. As I understand it the core tech has not changed/moved on as yet.

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

Its confirmed to use a Qualcomm Snapdragon 835:

https://www.anandtech.com/show/13406...one-vr-headset

[Saracen]

@Spud .... agreed on the motion issues, but in my case it's more likely vision-related as even a 3D TV does it to me. But then, I do have a 24/7/365 headache and all that varies is how bad it is.

[DanceswithUnix]

Secondly, is the gsming experience good, are orocessors beefy enough, etc.

From the review on Ars, the games are a bit basic which isn't surprising given this is a high end smartphone chip so hard to compare against headset powered by a desktop PC kicking out 300W. But then like the Wii was never about the quality of graphics, it should be good enough for some decent gaming.

https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2018/...ground-for-vr/

, at least until Omni directional treadmills become small, light and cheap enough that people are willing to have them in their homes.

I don't see treadmills ever being that popular, unless you go to some sort of "VR Cafe" and use your headset on their treadmill. I know a lot of people who struggle to find space for a PC so they have a laptop rather than a desktop. That Allows them to put it away into a cupboard, and use it on the dining room table when they need a PC. I have wondered about putting my VR kit in the "study" downstairs (basically a small TV room for the kids) as that would allow the space for some basic stand up play. A treadmill would dominate the room, I suspect if you could fold it up it would still dominate the room and there isn't really a wall to lean it against. So even in a 4 bedroom house I think I would have to sell the car to use the garage if I wanted a treadmill, and I would rather have the car

Being able to use the headset in different places does seem a big win with this. I leave my Rift upstairs with my PC for the simple reason that I don't want to move my entire PC around the house. The plan of using it downstairs would require a VR capable PC in the study, which isn't cheap. But I wouldn't want to play sit down VR games in the study where there isn't a desk to mount joysticks and steering wheels on, but I can't do stand up games with any amount of movement in the office as I have to wheel my chair out of the way just to get enough room to stand up.

Edit: Ars have some interesting comments from Carmack who compares this to the Switch.
https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2018/...ox-360-or-ps3/

From one of the comments on that article, I wonder if they should just bundle Beat Sabre with the game.

Possibly NSFW, player drops an F word around 4 minutes in, but I have to get this on the Rift: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Us3gkZYQfyA

[Percy1983]

This seems quite interesting, I have a Rift on a PC but as something portable the GO seemed a little too cut back where this could work out quite nicely.