Game Changer: The Oculus Rift Is Officially Badass

Nerdist: "tl;dr Summary: I was never impressed by the Oculus, but after experiencing the recent improvements that the gadget has undergone, I can boldly say that this is shaping up to be more than just another game peripheral!"

[Leio]

Now please let make it smaller. That thing screams neckpain

[starchild]

They have said that the consumer model will be a lot sleeker and smaller. That said, it is a lot lighter than it looks.

[thorstein]

What have they said about games? Is it a unique console? Will I be able to play PC games on it? Can it connect to current gen (PS4 and XOne) consoles?

[elhebbo16]

@thorstein sorry man but the creator of oculus said a couple of months ago that the consoles couldnt handle the rift.

http://arstechnica.com/gami...

If the PS4/X1 cant play games with a constant 1080p/60fps in 2D how is it going to play it in 3D? (which is double the resolution)

[ibrake4naps]

Last gen handled 3d. Batman and uncharted 3 looked gorgeous! Sony is looking at the rift and creating their own ps4 headset!

[starchild]

@ibrake4naps

That's pure rumor. Sony have said nothing of the sort.

Last gen games that offered stereoscopic 3D always had downgrades to the graphics and a hit to performance.

"For 3D on console, you must have, I would say, at least 60 frames per second, because, basically, you draw two images to achieve 3D," Girard told Eurogamer. "Your game has to deliver twice as many frames to still remain fluid in 3D.

"You must have twice as many frames, so either you're losing the 60 frames per second, or you are losing the quality of graphics. I cannot imagine a game with all the polished graphical quality running at 120 hertz so that each image is 60 hertz. Something has to be reduced somewhere. It's tricky."
http://www.eurogamer.net/ar...

"There are compromises - we're fairly sure that the 896x504 per eye resolution from the beta is retained, though pre-rendered movies for the single-player mode get a boost to 1024x576. Environmental detail is pared back in places, LODs are a touch more intrusive and heavy scenes can see a 4-5FPS drop in frame-rate."
-Digital Foundry talking about Uncharted 3 in 3D mode.
http://www.eurogamer.net/ar...

Uncharted 3 in 2D mode: http://images.eurogamer.net...
Unchated 3 in 3D mode: http://images.eurogamer.net...
The downgrade is obvious.

Stereoscopic 3D at 1080p and 60fps for VR is obviously even more demanding. If a game on the PS4 is already maxing out the hardware to run at 30fps with no stereoscopic 3D there is no headroom to reach the standards needed for VR.

If the consoles ever do get VR it's always going to be a watered down, sub par experience compared to PC.

[badz149]

Badass and anti-social! Even the socially awkward penguin is no match for this.

[Perjoss]

Its super light, well the dev kit I have is not heavy at all anyway.

@thorstein
for now it looks like it might be a PC only thing, its not a console at all, its kind of similar to a pair of 3D glasses in the sense that you can't do anything with it until you connect it to a computer, it works with compatible games that you already have installed on your PC or Mac.

[Volkama]

They have said the final version is likely to run a version of Android OS, so it may have some standalone functionality. Or that may just be how you navigate around the settings.

PC peripheral for proper games though.

[Sunnyknight]

CES last year I knew this thing would pick up eventually, super awesome to see it getting more exposure.

[ExPresident]

This looks interesting, and I could see myself one day getting it. That being said I think if I did purchase it that I would do it in a second or third generation version of it. This coming from someone who buys new generations of consoles on day 1.

I say this because this tech is pretty new and while it is cool there isn't anything like it out there which means real innovation in its style, weight, look, and features probably won't come until that 2nd or 3rd generation when the masses have had the opportunity to play, test, and see what 1st generation versions lack.

Who knows. I'll keep watching it tho.

[Ripsta7th]

If they can make it look like cyclops' visors id buy it if it were under $300

[AnEwGuY]

Yes, because nothing says "badass", like a set of welding goggles hanging off your head while you're sitting on your couch playing a game. /s SMH....

[starchild]

What an ignorant comment. I guess you think you look pretty badass sitting there in your underwear in your parent's living room with your mouth agape, eyes glazed over staring at a TV screen.

Get real. Nobody plays games to look cool.

The Rift is a badass experience, and that is what really matters.

[AnEwGuY]

Son, I'm 42 years old, married for 14, and have been a home owner since 1997. I have an opinion, which obviously differs from yours. If you're too immature to accept that fact, then I would suggest you refrain from ridiculous personal attacks on someone you do not know at all, at least until you grow up.

[Hicken]

It may be true that nobody plays games to look cool, but nobody wants to look like an idiot while playing, either.

Well.. maybe you do, but most people don't.

And seriously, the way you drone on about PC gaming, you sound far more likely to still be staying in somebody's basement than most people on this site.

AnEwGuY is definitely right about your maturity. Or lack thereof, as the case seems to be.

[Iltapalanyymi]

Rift really is a great device. its really hard to put into words but once you try it for yourself, you will understand. Got to try one in digiexpo finland last year. shit was cash im tellin ya.

Gonna get one once the consumer edition hits the shelves.

[Pandamobile]

Yep. VR is the real next-gen. This is the fist game-related thing I've actaully gotten excited about in the last 5 years.

[N311V]

I'm not convinced it'll sell well.

People complained about having to wear glasses for 3D TV. I doubt that many people will be willing to essentially put the glasses and TV on their face. It'll sell to a neiche market for sure but I doubt it'll ever become maintstream.

[Dfooster]

If the potential is fulfilled which it sounds like it's certainly on track to be then it will sell.

A peripheral that puts you inside game worlds for £300, it can't fail.