Sony’s Morpheus might be the better, more accessible VR option

Whether you like it or not, Virtual Reality is becoming a big thing. Again. The hyper, digital worlds afforded by video games are going to become more immersive, more engaging, and frightfully more expensive. As we’ve seen from the required specs for the Facebook owned Oculus Rift, you’re going to need a fancy machine to even experience VR, with an NVidia GTX 970 as the minimum spec. We don’t know what HTC and Valve’s Vive will need when it’s finally out. That will be released on Valve time though, and will also likely cost a fortune, and require some equally beefy specs. It’s all starting to make Sony’s PlayStation 4 VR headset, Morpheus, a lot more appealing.

[DEEBO]

Yeah I remember the 3d tv fad because I have one but I hope this does better then 3d.

Plus i'm not just going with one company on this technology, MS and others have something coming out too.

[Perjoss]

I honestly don't see how VR is going to work on consoles, its stereoscopic 3D by default so needs to be rendered twice. The PS4 and XB1 struggle to render good looking games at 1080p, how will they render these images twice? either the resolution will have to take a serious hit or we will only see VR games that are quite low in graphical fidelity.

[WeAreLegion]

So, you're just going to ignore all the previews online saying Morpheus works incredibly well?

[TheCommentator]

Just like all the positive feedback of the Kinect/ Kinect 2.0 before it released? Or the move controls? Even Nintendo had to come out with Motion Plus to try to make the Wiimotes work like they promised at launch. Tech demos and impressed press don't always translate the hype to the real world.

[LifeInNZ]

I have no doubt that it works incredibly well, tech demos are designed to show things off in a controlled environment. I will wait and see what games actually make use of VR and how they compare to playing the game normally. I was so looking forward to playing GT5 in 3D until I actually played it in 3D. I'm sure something will have to be sacrificed for VR gaming, I just hope we dont end up with a bunch of next gen EyeToy games.

[I_am_Batman]

Graphics don't need to be realistic to work in vr though. You can have a beautiful game that isn't too demanding for the PS4 even if it has to render in stereoscopic 3D and 60fps because it doesn't strive for realism.

[Perjoss]

Yes but realistic graphics always help when it comes to immersion, isn't that what VR is all about?

[I_am_Batman]

The thing is if you're going for realism in vr everything that isn't exactly right will catch your eye immediately.

Ideally you'd need a very high resolution and well above 60fps for vr to be really enjoyable. Obviously realism is what will be the goal but we don't really have hardware powerful enough to run realistic simulations at such parameters.

And a non-realistic artstyle that meets those parameters will be much more enjoyable than semi-realistic graphics with lower resolutions, non-fluid framerates or aliasing.

[TheCommentator]

Anything that's not natively rendered in 3d becomes immediately obvious when 3d viewing. 2d smoke instead of using a particle system is one example. When every 2d disc of smoke can be seen in 3d space it looks awful, but it looks fine on a 2d tv. Graphics need to look better for VR to work well, not worse.

[rainslacker]

There will be things that wouldn't be suitable for rendering in stereoscopic 3D, which is why they won't be used. One of the most obvious is grass. Grass is rendered on 2D planes, and then the plane moves to face directly at the camera. It's a cheap and effective way to have large areas of grass without taking up all the GPU resources. That isn't going to work on VR, so you'll likely see fewer environment details in this regard.

Basically, if you don't go into the first wave of new VR tech with the expectation of it looking like The Order, then you probably won't be disappointed. The idea of VR is more the experience than the look. Somewhere between PS2 and PS3 graphics is probably a reasonable expectation.

[uth11]

Morpheus has some tech that boosts frame rates. PS4 is certainly capable of rendering beautiful graphics at 1080p.

[Dir_en_grey]

The tech demos they show for Morpheus already have better looking graphics then all the Oculus Rift games out there running on PC.

[jhoward585]

@Perjoss

Its called re-projection, Sony are using a cheating method to render scene .

Its simply rendering one of the two frames while the 2nd frame is a snapshot loaded on to memory, and both frame type that are loaded on to memory are reprojected yet shuffling those frame on screen in a chronological order, sort of like a paper flip book. Good thing the ps4 had a very fast Ram to make this process work.

Though, I'm willing to bet that the same mutiplat game on oculus and PM will have very different loading time.

Another thing, This demo proves that there might be a joint relationship between Sony and facebook to get VR off to a good start. One way to make this happen is to make a single dev kit that is scalable between both hardware. Haven't you noticed how many multiplat games are on both oculus and PM so far?

[rainslacker]

They would be very well off to be working together. If there are competing technologies in this then it's likely going to split the market for the few VR devs that are going to be out there at the start. Not saying they can't market them seperately, but they should have the back end(engines and API's) be compatible enough to enable easy porting to keep software counts high. The last thing either company wants is limited support. That's been why all VR ventures have failed in the past. There wasn't enough software to justify the entry price.

[ToxicSushi]

Kudos to lazygamer.net for the icon/photo for this posting with Morpheus and his blue shades sitting in a boss chair!

[pompombrum]

Sony are probably in the best position in terms of making it mainstream but ultimately in will boil down to affordability I think. At least with Sony we know they'll really push for it with the support like they did with 3d gaming and move compatibility.

[Brazz]

I think if Morpheus is just a VR headset it will fail, but if it is more than a simple display of VR it has so much potential ...

think about it, besides being a VR display, Morpheus could act as a display for normal games, movies and PSnow. Morpheus could work as a 60-inch TV that u put in your room for private use, a 60-inch TV that does not need an insane amount of space (can be part of the smaller rooms) and it has 1/3 - 1 / 4 the price of a 60-inch TV! in my opinion this is one of the great potentials of Morpheus and VR sets.

a nice article: http://www.polygon.com/2014...

[Maxor]

Morpheus has zero core games support. None. Not even one. So until there is a core game announced for Morpheus I can't say that I'm interested or if it even has an advantage over OR which actually has games you can play with.

[amiga-man]

Project Cars already supports it, even though Morpheus isn't due for release till 2016

[Guyfamily999]

That dinosaur survival MMO type thingy of awesomeness (ARK I think) is being build from the ground up to be a great VR experience on Morpheus. Not confirmed but I wouldn't doubt No Mans Sky.

[rainslacker]

Morpheus isn't even released yet, so obviously it won't have support. I wouldn't doubt that GT7 supports it, and I also wouldn't doubt that Sony has some of their devs working on it.

It's fine to wait for games, but at least wait until Sony gives a release date for the unit. When they do, I wouldn't doubt that they also give a list of games that will be available for it. You don't have to commit to buy it, but to show no interest in it is a bit much. OR didn't have any core game support either, yet people were still eager to see what would come.

[DDOS-DelDaemonicOSes]

I think all the tech Microsoft is working on is FAR better than anything Sony is doing (or ever could hope to do, considering their insignificant position in the world of technology); however, I think Sony's flip up design of the Morpheus headgear could be a must have feature for VR, if it works well.

@SaveFerris, in other words, I think Sony's big contribution to tech next year may be the flip up VR headgear visor.

http://www.itworld.com/arti...

"The new Morpheus is designed to be easy to put on and take off. You can 'flip up' the display for when you need a quick peek into the real world to grab a beverage or a controller. If you wear glasses you'll be happy to know you can wear them under Morpheus."

If you meant pertaining to Microsoft Vs. Sony in tech, I suppose that isn't OT for this thread.

@amiga-man, I suppose, though I think compared to all that Microsoft does with tech, I think nothing Sony does for next year will matter as far as crediting Sony with progressing technology unless they somehow patented "the flip up VR headgear".

I personally think investing in further devilopment of daemonic OSes is ultimately a waste of time (similar 2 "polishing a turd").

What will benefit gamers most, for the foreseeable future, is Microsoft DX12, "#FACT!".

@BLow, I think you're right, people do forget about that.

@rainslacker, I suppose I should have specified "computer tech", because I could care less about electronic appliance tech, especially the kind that's easily replaced in a short time, with much better tech, by any one of a dozen global companies that are just as capable as Sony. Credit for flip up VR headgear is about the best I expect from Sony in the next year (thus "insignificant"... if you disagree, actually NAME how significant). The amount of significant "computer tech" Microsoft is releasing in the next year is too lengthy to list here.

Also, stop with the name calling. I just don't think Sony is worthy, especially when they release (what will unfortunately and mistakenly be regarded as) family TV shows that have kids eating ejaculate for superpowers, and they're going to be teaching children how to love communism in their "next-gen" game, The Tomorrow Children (as if that title isn't a subversive message of intent, in and of itself)... as if I am a "fanboy" for rejecting a company that does that, and not the other way around... you're BACKWARDS, and a clue about that is loving a culture that respects men "getting bent", dressing women like subservient bozos, and watching men wrestle (that's symbolically bad anywhere in the world, though especially in "diaper thongs").

[SaveFerris]

Can you elaborate on your opinion?

[amiga-man]

DDOS-DelDaemonicOSes: "Microsoft is working on is FAR better than anything Sony is doing (or ever could hope to do, considering their insignificant position in the world of technology)"

insignificant position in the world of technology..........your not serious, Sony are a technology company

[BLow]

And Vulkan #FACT!!!! People seem to forget about that....

[TheCommentator]

Sony's API is closer to the metal than Vulkan already because of how they've modified Open Gl 4.4. That's why it's forgotten, lol. #FACT.

[rainslacker]

"considering their insignificant position in the world of technology"

You're kidding right? Sony has had a hand in almost every single piece of technology that we use today. There isn't a single device out there that billions of people use on a daily basis that doesn't have some sort of Sony patent inside it, including your precious Xbox One.

MS has a pretty significant place in the tech world as well through their patents, but come on man. There's a point of showing just how much of a fan boy you are, and you just made a record breaking leap over it.

Give credit where it is due. Sony has been around a lot longer than MS in the technology field, and they have had more impact on it than MS ever will. MS technology works off the technology made by others, whereas Sony makes technology that will one day become standard for things that people use.

[TheCommentator]

You got me to thinking about BluRay's launch and how right now it doesn't support 4k due to data limitations. Anyways, I remembered a Holographic Media Disc was set to debut about a year after BluRay as a computer format. It was to start at 200GB and theoretically end around 8-10TB. Sony bought the company and shut it down to avoid competition. I think sometimes they try too hard to be the standard - Betamax, Minidisc, Memory Pro, ATRAC, etc. If it weren't for the BluRay player winning the format war against HD DVD via it's inclusion in PS3, they would've lost that "war" too. BluRay used an inferior video codec and had less features than HD DVD. Long story short, I think innovation does not come without a cost and I wonder how much longer Sony can afford to take such risks in its current state.

[rainslacker]

Buying out tech is pretty common. I'm not too familiar with the holographic media, but from what I remember it was going to have a hard time with adoption because it was very limited. The chance that it ever got implemented in the same way as Blu-Ray was pretty slim anyways, because consumers were just getting on board Blu-Ray.

HDDVD and Blu-Ray actually used the same Codec. Both were from MS. The final blu-ray format wasn't finalized until after HDDVD became defunct though.

As far a Sony not being able to afford to take risks in the future, I can't speak much to that. That'll depend on them and how much they feel it will pay off. They have their failed products just like any company. It is kind of a throw everything against the wall to see what sticks mentality when it comes to tech, and any tech company is a risky venture. Many do not make money and end up getting brought out for their patents.

My comment was more about the electronics and things behind all the devices people use. There are tons of patents in the most simple of devices. Some have to be paid for, some are for free use for the advancement of technology.

I won't be one to say Sony always hits it big with everything they create. That's just blind fanboyism, but I am reasonable enough to understand that Sony is not some wannabe tech company. They're older than MS, and they've pushed technical innovation since day one. They do have problems keeping up with markets at times, like TV's for instance, and while their devices are amazing they just couldn't compete against those that used cheap knockoff parts to give a cheaper, yet acceptable, product.

[KakashiHotake]

People make too big of a deal about porn with VR. That is not the intention of this technology and honestly I'm against it. I can see porn in VR having an extremely negative affect on weirdos and sociopaths.

[2cents]

I will have to wait till both are finalised, both have a price point, both have software to entertain, both are stress tested.

Then I will be better informed to make a call.

On the content side, I feel that the Oculus will potentially have more to offer because of the pc development space and the fact that it is all thanks to Oculus that we are even discussing VR today.

Sony may trump Oculus on quality over quantity but that remains to be seen.

Either way there seems to be something for everyone, even the Hololens may have its day in the gaming space.

Exciting times all around!

[rainslacker]

It all comes down to software in the end. Implementation is important, but both OR and Morpheus have their pros and cons.

I'm excited for the prospect of something new, but in the end, I will still wait for compelling software to play on it. I've been burned by too many accessories in the past to consider jumping on board right away.

[2cents]

:)

My attic contains:

Power Glove
R.O.B. the robot
Virtual Boy
Wii-mote sports attachments
Steel Battalion Controller
Bass fishing reel
About 10 xbox 360 faceplates
Eyetoy
Kinect 1

...

oh the joys of being ripped off :)

[rainslacker]

I have most of those as well, but I'm also a collector so I got about half of them after they were defunct anyways. I will admit though, my post mostly alluded to the Power Glove and the Virtual boy.:)

Kinect I actually used for development purposes though, so I wouldn't consider that a burn as I actually made good money off it. Luckily I stayed away from all the Wii-mote attachments. Don't think I have a single one TBH.

[WheatBread]

True, but I think the pc vr will be a better experience overall because of the better hardware, more options, more apps, and porn.

[Erik7357]

4k Ultra HD virtual reality Porn...my gawd....we have finally done the unthinkable

[lemoncake]

Morpheus does not have porn which puts it at a big disadvantage straight out the gatem if we are all being honest that is going to be the second if not the first thing we will want to experience.

[Erik7357]

What could stop Sony from using virtual reality in the web browser on the ps4 again? Knowing Sony's strategy...their focus will be easy development...aka making porting over games or "things" ;) from oculus rift easy.

[rainslacker]

I doubt Sony will actively promote porn for the Morpheus, nor will OR. But like life, porn will find a way.

[Scatpants]

I would say it's probably the worse, more accessible option.

[Erik7357]

Only advantage I see Sony having is that it will be easier to develop for because of the unity of the hardware. On pc, Oculus Rift has to consider all these set-ups. For sony, they can optimize technologies related to their VR and have it run really well on the hardware/software of the ps4. But I can't see Morphus running Triple AAA games on it at 60fps like Oculus can with a good pc.

This will be interesting to see if it will be like flops like Kinect,Move,etc.
Though you could argue Kinect was not a flop due to its successful hardware sales, it's content and games were not up to par.

[kenwonobi]

Sounds about right. The Oculus has more potential. The Morpheus has a more stable environment which can cause larger growth for VR. In a perfect world I would like both. Reality is I will probably go with Sonys VR. The games may be there and the tech might be backed better. I think this could take off as long as they dont treat this like some sorta peripheral that will just be another light gun experience with bland games. They should go all in on this and capture the future gamers before someone else eventually does. Console gaming will die off to something like this one day. They should try to be the one who captures that new audience.

[SaveFerris]

I tend to agree. I really hope VR takes off but it is crucial that Oculus Rift and Morpheus have the right price, and content to get people to adopt it.

[kenwonobi]

I am a huge fan of VR already. This is the future. They never had the graphics and immersion technology before. Now they do. VR was never the problem. Technology was. Now we have it. Lets VR game now.

[captainexplosion]

It needs to track hands, work for all games, play 3d Blurays, and also have porn. Wouldn't specifically made porn for it just be on blurays anyway so it should be allowed?