Oculus Rift Unlikely to Ship to Consumers in 2015

Hardcore Gamer: The long-in-the-works VR project Oculus Rift has been making waves in the gaming sphere for years now, but its consumer release could be pushed outside of 2015.

[ValKilmer]

This is really bad for Oculus. There are literally hundreds of other VR headsets in development and they are making huge strides on an almost weekly basis. If another big name VR debuts before Oculus ships, it could be the end.

[Neonridr]

I would say the only other headset that has as much hype and strength behind it is Project Morpheus. And since that is PS4 restricted, it's hard to say that it's a direct competitor. If anything, Oculus would want it to succeed to help VR as a whole thrive.

I would rather them focus on making the Oculus Rift as close to a perfect experience as they can while doing their best to keep costs at a minimum. If that means delaying it to early 2016, then so be it.

[Bodge]

If there's a VR headset that will flop, it'll be Sony's.

[SteamPowered]

The HTC Vive is already being touted as the Oculus-killer. It is due to ship in November and has Massive support from Steam. Dev kits just went online today. If anyone has a real shot at making VR viable, it's Valve.

[Pandamobile]

The Vive and Rift probably account for most of the VR hype right now.

Morhpeus is a barely even on the radar at this point.

[xer0]

I'll say it again... Oculus won't launch before Morpheus. They don't have the audacity.

Right now, they are waiting to see what Sony will do next, as they have done in the past year.

I'll bet anyone £100, that Oculus will not launch before Sonys' VR.

[Neonridr]

I've never even heard of the Vive to be honest. I will have to check it out. That being said, I don't scour the internet for VR news, but if this thing is as big as you guys are touting it I am surprised I haven't seen it up front and in my face more like news on Oculus and Morpheus.

[Pandamobile]

You should leave your echo chambers once in a while. In VR hobby and enthusiast boards, the Vive is currently top dog.

[Neonridr]

@Panda - thanks for the tip... tip.... tip...

[kickerz]

All those billions of dollars and still taking so long :( what are they doing? Having boat parties instead... Living it up... I will be an old man before I get to try VR :(

[Neonridr]

facebook only bought them last year... they didn't *always* have billions of dollars backing them.

[kickerz]

Good point Neon.still I've been pumped for Oculus for years now. If they leave it too long I may just get Valves VR instead.

[SteamPowered]

You should maybe start looking into a Vive sooner than later. With Oculus dragging their feet, devs arent going to wait on their products to go to market, they will start supplying the Steam Store.
Valve performed a masterstroke by revealing the Vive release date, and beating the Oculus to market.

[Clover904]

If you're right, Oculus is in bad shape, because Valve's Vive VR headset is set to be released this year. People who have tried it have said that as of now it is the most impressive VR headset (which is why it's not shocking that Oculus is still in R&D mode). So with Vive already being impressive and being backed by the super popular PC gaming platform Steam, Oculus no doubt has a serious PC VR competitor. The only thing that'll hold Vive back will be the price, with Valve themselves saying that Vive is a "premium" VR device.

@Bodge I think if VR proves to be a hit with gamers, Morpheus will be a success. Reports from the last VR showing have said that Morpheus is the most comfortable headset out of the main three. Also, I can definitely see the masses going to Morpheus over Oculus Rift/Vive, because a lot of people already have a ps4. You don't have to worry about graphics cards, ram, latest cpu, etc. Just plug-and-play. Convenience is a huge selling point.

[Scatpants]

Good, gives me time to buy a new video card, a force feedback steering wheel, a Hotas stick and a volair sim seat.

[killagram]

It's hilarious how some people are so f'ing negative. I'm sure there's good reason for the delay and it won't mean "Game Over" for them by delaying till next year. Maybe the fabrication of cheaper/better components won't be available to Q4 and will mean a more competent overall product. I'm also guessing Morpheus' 120fps display had Oculus reconsidering their present day specs.

[WeAreLegion]

Looks like 2016 will be the big VR year. I can't wait!

[obz]

Every year you idiots say this stuff.

[WeAreLegion]

By that, I mean Oculus and Morpheus will come out in 2016.

You need to chill, dude.

[DougLord]

It won't be ready in 2016 either. The technology isn't there. It needs to be ALOT smaller, ALOT lighter and ALOT cheaper. It needs 4k @ 120fps and that requires more then dual Titan Xs.

[Maul_T_Pass]

If designers used your mentality we would never have any sort of new consumer electronics. Devices come out all the time and are frequently updated and improved over their life time. You can't just sit on a project because you are waiting for the technology to grow and be perfected

The technology grows to meet demand. If VR takes off (even in its infancy), you'll start to see components designed with VR in mind being released and at cheaper prices. You gotta start some where.

1440p screens or even 1080p would work for a generation 1 model then go from there. Nvidia DSR is something to look at as well. Its capable of driving 2K and 4K images on a 1080 display and it works rather effectively. It could be used as a bridge between HD and 4K screens.

[SteamPowered]

All tech has to start somewhere. The first cell phone I had was a brick that was impossible to text on. Did that sway me from owning one? Of course not. If nobody takes chances on new gear, then the market will stale.

[Maul_T_Pass]

100% agree. Even though VR has come a long way since the late 80's, it's still some what of a gamble in terms of large scale production. Right now VR's biggest obstacle is winning over the public.

Oculus Rift needs to release something soon to prove they are headed in the right direction and to get the consumer talking about VR again. Its still a very niche thing even among gamers.

[Ryan741]

The headline should read,"Unlikely to ship". That would be more accurate.

[ChrisW]

Ugh! Like a kick in the nuts...