Why isn't anyone here talking about virtual reality?

TiLT · Post by **TiLT** » Mon Jul 18, 2016 5:25 am

If you want real games, the Rift is the only choice that delivers right now (though you could always use that utility that allows you to use Oculus Home on the Vive). Vive games seem to be shorter, more demo-like things. I really don't think this will change, with a couple of exceptions, during this VR generation. Roomscale, for all its awe and wonder, is extremely limited in the types of gameplay it can offer (in this generation at least. Once the problem of locomotion is solved, this might change). There's much more flexibility in the classic seated controller setup that the Rift mostly sticks with. I just finished Edge of Nowhere this week for example, and it was a very entertaining game that reminded me of Rise of the Tomb Raider in its gameplay. It would never have worked with motion controllers or roomscale.

Buatha · Post by **Buatha** » Mon Jul 18, 2016 3:03 pm

I've used both, and I think you may be swayed by the one you use first and/or the size of your play area. I received the Vive first, and there was no going back, especially after my kids played Space Pirate Trainer and Hordez. The motion controllers (for now) make all the difference in the world. I sold the Rift to a friend. As for the god rays, I liked them less than the fresnel rings, even though the screen was a little clearer.

Granted, I have to move my PC into the living room for true room scale play, but I rarely use it in my office other than Elite, which due to its high-res graphics makes it kind of painful to see it that way

I leave a connected HDMI cable and spare power cable in the living room for this purpose. The tripods for the cameras are a cinch to move.

blackjack · Post by **blackjack** » Sun Oct 02, 2016 12:21 am

Battlezone VR on PlayStation VR is sounding pretty cool, and have read a lot of good things about Sony's VR take --- that folks seem to be able to use it longer without motion sickness issues experienced on other VR units to date.

Watching the videos made me think of this OO thread right away.

Battlezone - 101 Co-op and Gameplay Trailer | PS VR
https://youtu.be/hY2EwtmEcas

Watch PlayStation VR shooter Battlezone gameplay
First-person combat game is fast and smooth
http://www.polygon.com/2016/9/30/131093 ... play-video
It appears to have 4-person, drop in/drop out co-op multiplayer (and offline play too). Parts of the footage maybe in some way remind me of Helldivers from a different perspective, with a variety of objectives, and ability to help "heal" your squad mates by moving close to them (or rezzing them if need be).

Then there seems to be this overhead map that's almost Panzer General-like (hexagons) for campaign play, and it really sounds compelling and interesting.

blackjack · Post by **blackjack** » Sat Oct 15, 2016 6:14 pm

Ran onto this on Flipboard. Sounds like something I might enjoy on VR. Article has thoughts on various other VR titles on various platforms too (Battlezone VR for example).

'Star Trek: Bridge Crew' Is My Favorite Multiplayer VR Experience So Far
http://www.vice.com/read/the-slow-and-s ... nce-so-far

Star Trek: Bridge Crew, sampled on this occasion via Oculus Rift, is the best multiplayer virtual reality experience I've had so far—not that I have a great deal to go on, admittedly, both in terms of alternatives played and measuring the depth of the (full) game in question.

I play this demo mission—rescue people, don't die yourself—twice in the company of Motherboard's Ben Sullivan (who's written his own assessment of the session, from the perspective of being quite the Trekkie, here) and a couple of on-hand Ubisoft representatives, which possibly gives us an advantage: after all, they've seen what plays out numerous times before.

And yet, the teamwork aspect of the operation is paramount to its success, and one or two people in the four-person crew being adept won't be enough to guarantee a winning result.

Communication is therefore everything in Bridge Crew—and having been a little skeptical about its novelty appeal back at E3, not being a Star Trek fan in the slightest myself, I'm surprised to find myself loving every second of each play through.

Though so far my basic impression is the less actual motion there are in a VR title, the better odds I might be able to enjoy it an hour or so without puking in the headset.

Also wonder if somewhere far down the road VR could have training applications in various modes of transport (planes, trains, ships, anything). Hopefully not resulting in creation of The Lawnmower Man.

Grifman · Post by **Grifman** » Tue Oct 25, 2016 11:21 am

A sad new thing on VR:

http://money.cnn.com/2016/10/24/technol ... index.html

Ralph-Wiggum · Post by **Ralph-Wiggum** » Tue Oct 25, 2016 11:31 am

Grifman wrote:A sad new thing on VR:

http://money.cnn.com/2016/10/24/technol ... index.html

Blech.

That article led me to this, which is equally disturbing.

PlayStation VR is going to launch with a game that allows players to sexually assault a woman who is actively asking them to stop. Yes, that's exactly as gross as it sounds and yes, of course the game is Dead or Alive Xtreme 3. The game's virtual reality update is slated to launch on the same day as PlayStation VR, and features a handful of experiences designed to let players ogle the female body. A video from Gamer.ne.jp shows that one of these game modes features active harassment -- allowing a player to continually touch a woman who is verbally protesting.

Daehawk · Post by **Daehawk** » Wed Nov 23, 2016 9:02 pm

This is neat . You use VR to watch others play VR or regular games. Even esports. Seeing someone else play a VR game is cool but seeing people pla ya shooter and being able to look down at them in a 3D map like mice in a maze is way cool.

Zitterbacke · Post by **Zitterbacke** » Sun Nov 27, 2016 7:35 am

I will wait for more games that allow me to do magical things, or create space-stations, maybe RPG, or a No Man's Sky, but done well. Something I'd like to be immersed into, no creepy shockers or war-zones. And possibly wait for first reports of kids that fried their brains. Better theirs than mine.

TiLT · Post by **TiLT** » Mon Nov 28, 2016 9:05 am

Zitterbacke wrote:I will wait for more games that allow me to do magical things, or create space-stations, maybe RPG, or a No Man's Sky, but done well. Something I'd like to be immersed into, no creepy shockers or war-zones. And possibly wait for first reports of kids that fried their brains. Better theirs than mine.

Sounds like you might enjoy Elite: Dangerous, which is arguably still the best VR game out there. It's very immersive, and you never have to fire a weapon if you don't want to (you do have to be prepared to run from attackers from time to time however). Equipping a ship for exploration and heading out into the unknown to be the first player to ever set foot on an alien planet is a magical experience in VR. I've sometimes taken my buggy and just sat there, looking at the beauty of a binary sunset on some distant snow planet, feeling utterly alone in a good way. There's nothing else quite like it. I would never play this game outside of VR again. It just wouldn't be the same.

Jaymann · Post by **Jaymann** » Wed Nov 30, 2016 1:10 am

When is the next gen/lower price version coming out?

Daehawk · Post by **Daehawk** » Wed Nov 30, 2016 1:12 am

TiLT wrote:
Zitterbacke wrote:I will wait for more games that allow me to do magical things, or create space-stations, maybe RPG, or a No Man's Sky, but done well. Something I'd like to be immersed into, no creepy shockers or war-zones. And possibly wait for first reports of kids that fried their brains. Better theirs than mine.
Sounds like you might enjoy Elite: Dangerous, which is arguably still the best VR game out there. It's very immersive, and you never have to fire a weapon if you don't want to (you do have to be prepared to run from attackers from time to time however). Equipping a ship for exploration and heading out into the unknown to be the first player to ever set foot on an alien planet is a magical experience in VR. I've sometimes taken my buggy and just sat there, looking at the beauty of a binary sunset on some distant snow planet, feeling utterly alone in a good way. There's nothing else quite like it. I would never play this game outside of VR again. It just wouldn't be the same.

Dont have VR but have owned this since kickstarter or whatever it was. Still need to play it. If you do play then try it with the voice commands. Seems wonderful from videos.

TiLT · Post by **TiLT** » Wed Nov 30, 2016 1:59 am

Jaymann wrote:When is the next gen/lower price version coming out?

Of virtual reality headsets? Expect to wait at least 1 1/2 years, possibly more.

wonderpug · Post by **wonderpug** » Wed Nov 30, 2016 9:42 am

Jaymann wrote:When is the next gen/lower price version coming out?

What price do you think you'd hold out for?

coopasonic · Post by **coopasonic** » Wed Nov 30, 2016 10:04 am

I got an award at work that comes with a 1500 prize... that has me thinking about this stuff for real now. My PC is already up to snuff per whatever app I found on steam that is supposed to know such things, so it would just be the VR hardware.... I need to try this stuff out somewhere. I heard Microsoft stores have the Vive? Does anyone have Oculus Rift to demo?

wonderpug · Post by **wonderpug** » Wed Nov 30, 2016 12:08 pm

coopasonic wrote:I got an award at work that comes with a 1500 prize... that has me thinking about this stuff for real now. My PC is already up to snuff per whatever app I found on steam that is supposed to know such things, so it would just be the VR hardware.... I need to try this stuff out somewhere. I heard Microsoft stores have the Vive? Does anyone have Oculus Rift to demo?

Some Best Buy locations have Rifts, and it looks like you can use this website to search:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/clp/oculus- ... 8302045866

I think I also heard many Best Buys also have PSVR demo units.

For the Vive, this website has a list of demo locations last updated at the end of August.

Also, if you ever find yourself 600 miles westward for some reason, you're welcome to stop by and try mine. :)

gbasden · Post by **gbasden** » Wed Nov 30, 2016 1:38 pm

wonderpug wrote:
Also, if you ever find yourself 600 miles westward for some reason, you're welcome to stop by and try mine.

Same here if you happen to be in Northern California for some reason.

Zitterbacke · Post by **Zitterbacke** » Thu Dec 01, 2016 4:37 pm

TiLT wrote:
Zitterbacke wrote:I will wait for more games that allow me to do magical things, or create space-stations, maybe RPG, or a No Man's Sky, but done well. Something I'd like to be immersed into, no creepy shockers or war-zones. And possibly wait for first reports of kids that fried their brains. Better theirs than mine.
Sounds like you might enjoy Elite: Dangerous, which is arguably still the best VR game out there. It's very immersive, and you never have to fire a weapon if you don't want to (you do have to be prepared to run from attackers from time to time however). Equipping a ship for exploration and heading out into the unknown to be the first player to ever set foot on an alien planet is a magical experience in VR. I've sometimes taken my buggy and just sat there, looking at the beauty of a binary sunset on some distant snow planet, feeling utterly alone in a good way. There's nothing else quite like it. I would never play this game outside of VR again. It just wouldn't be the same.

If I find someone with a VR set and Elite I will give it a shot. Last time I played that one was on the C64 when it came out!

wonderpug · Post by **wonderpug** » Thu Dec 01, 2016 5:12 pm

Oculus Touch Launch Window Lineup Trailer

Moliere · Post by **Moliere** » Fri Dec 02, 2016 3:09 pm

Not sure if this counts as a game, but it is VR:

An Adult Entertainment Company Just Launched the ‘iTunes of Blowjobs’

Porn was famously responsible for the marked increase in high-speed internet connections in the late nineties. And, as virtual reality becomes more realistic and haptic feedback more expected, VR porn is angling to become the industry’s next big data suck. CamSoda’s BlowCast is a teledildonics play designed to be integrated into an immersive experience.

Here’s how it works: Those wishing to provide the blowjob do their work on a dildo that records the pressure exerted. That data is compiled into a blowjob file, which is housed on CamSoda servers. Those wishing to receive mechanical head download that information to their computer, which then plays it using a “sleeve” that costs around $250. That device uses its inside rings to deploy the recorded oral.

Ralph-Wiggum · Post by **Ralph-Wiggum** » Fri Dec 02, 2016 4:48 pm

That sounds like it's going to suck.

JetFred · Post by **JetFred** » Fri Dec 02, 2016 9:31 pm

Okay, first, they already subtly used that joke, and second, I totally already predicted this idea. Just like every guy ever.

Ralph-Wiggum · Post by **Ralph-Wiggum** » Sat Dec 03, 2016 11:15 am

Great jokes never get old!

TiLT · Post by **TiLT** » Sat Dec 03, 2016 6:00 pm

My Oculus Touch order got processed today, so it looks like I'll be playing around with that in the near future. Looking forward to taking the next step in VR experiences.

wonderpug · Post by **wonderpug** » Thu Dec 08, 2016 10:34 am

My god, Superhot VR is incredible. It's a system seller, at least for anyone that's already on the fence about buying a VR system. If you've ever seen an action seen from the Matrix and thought "hey, that's neat", you'll probably love Superhot.

Bullet Train is amazing too but it's so short it's just a tease. Robo Recall will be the full version of the Bullet Train tech demo, and if it's even half as fun it should be incredible.

First Contact is an awesome intro to the Touch controllers and will probably be my new go-to first demo when introducing people to VR.

Really loving the Touch controllers so far.

TiLT · Post by **TiLT** » Thu Dec 08, 2016 2:35 pm

Superhot is fucking legit! It's the first real game I've played on my Touch controllers, and what a way to start. Now I'm all sweaty and need a break, because dodging bullets is really exhausting.

Unagi · Post by **Unagi** » Thu Dec 08, 2016 2:56 pm

So, educate me here....

How does one play a game (without these special controllers) like Elite: Dangerous , where the keyboard is used, while one is wearing the headset?

(I may be getting an Oculus for Xmas)

TiLT · Post by **TiLT** » Thu Dec 08, 2016 3:10 pm

Unagi wrote:So, educate me here....

How does one play a game (without these special controllers) like Elite: Dangerous , where the keyboard is used, while one is wearing the headset?

(I may be getting an Oculus for Xmas)

By feeling it with your fingers (anyone who's used to typing on a keyboard can easily recognize where he's keeping his hands on it) or looking through the nose gap on the headset. You might just want to use a regular Xbox controller though.

Unagi · Post by **Unagi** » Thu Dec 08, 2016 3:16 pm

I guess I feared that 'feeling the keyboard' was what people were doing.... I can do that... I do do that.... But for some games (like I would think Elite:) there are just a lot of keys to press...

So, Nose-Gap it is.

Buatha · Post by **Buatha** » Fri Dec 09, 2016 1:23 am

Arizona Sunshine is the type of game I've been waiting for...shooting zombies and not being forced to stand in one place.

Isgrimnur · Post by **Isgrimnur** » Fri Dec 09, 2016 12:53 pm

Industry standards

The appropriately-named Global Virtual Reality Association (GVRA) is made up of Acer, Google, HTC, Oculus, Samsung and Sony and will work to “promote responsible development and adoption of VR globally”.

No software-only companies are included in the partnership, with some hardware big players also missing. Most conspicuous by its absence is Valve, the company behind the Steam store and SteamVR platform used by the HTC Vive. Microsoft, which is working on the HoloLens augmented reality system, is also not involved.

The hope for consumers will be for the GVRA to introduce compatibility between different VR hardware and software. In a statement, the non-profit said it would “share best practices for industry and foster dialogue between public and private stakeholders” while also serving as a “resource” for consumers, policymakers and industry interested in working with VR.

TiLT · Post by **TiLT** » Fri Dec 09, 2016 2:26 pm

Buatha wrote:Arizona Sunshine is the type of game I've been waiting for...shooting zombies and not being forced to stand in one place.

It's really good. I've been playing it for the past hour, and it's been a very satisfying experience. It's also one of those rare VR games that feel like real games instead of limited experiments.

Getting swarmed by zombies is pretty stressful in a good way, without resorting to jump scares or outright horror.

wonderpug · Post by **wonderpug** » Fri Dec 09, 2016 3:17 pm

TiLT wrote:
Buatha wrote:Arizona Sunshine is the type of game I've been waiting for...shooting zombies and not being forced to stand in one place.
It's really good. I've been playing it for the past hour, and it's been a very satisfying experience. It's also one of those rare VR games that feel like real games instead of limited experiments.

Getting swarmed by zombies is pretty stressful in a good way, without resorting to jump scares or outright horror.

I'm also really liking it so far, but I think I'm going to wait until my 3rd sensor arrives before I play much more. I'm using the two-in-front sensor configuration right now and in Arizona Sunshine I've been finding I have to reset my orientation more often than I'd like in order to keep myself facing the sensors.

TiLT · Post by **TiLT** » Fri Dec 09, 2016 3:54 pm

wonderpug wrote:
TiLT wrote:
Buatha wrote:Arizona Sunshine is the type of game I've been waiting for...shooting zombies and not being forced to stand in one place.
It's really good. I've been playing it for the past hour, and it's been a very satisfying experience. It's also one of those rare VR games that feel like real games instead of limited experiments.

Getting swarmed by zombies is pretty stressful in a good way, without resorting to jump scares or outright horror.
I'm also really liking it so far, but I think I'm going to wait until my 3rd sensor arrives before I play much more. I'm using the two-in-front sensor configuration right now and in Arizona Sunshine I've been finding I have to reset my orientation more often than I'd like in order to keep myself facing the sensors.

You don't have to reset your orientation. Just use the joystick left/right axis to turn around instead of doing so in real life. You quickly get used to it.

wonderpug · Post by **wonderpug** » Fri Dec 09, 2016 4:31 pm

Does it turn you in 45° increments or something, or does it do analog turning like a traditional FPS? The latter is barf city for me in VR.

TiLT · Post by **TiLT** » Fri Dec 09, 2016 4:47 pm

Just finished Superhot VR. Man, that was some game, and that final battle was absolutely insane and felt like it would last forever. Got it on my first try, which is still hard to believe.

wonderpug wrote:Does it turn you in 45° increments or something, or does it do analog turning like a traditional FPS? The latter is barf city for me in VR.

Instant turning in either 90 or 45 degree angles. Perhaps somewhere in between. I'm not sure actually. You can also pull back on the joystick to do an immediate 180, which is useful if you get surprised by a swarm of zombies and want to gain some distance fast.

I'm swimming in ammo because of my efforts to always kill zombies with headshots. It's mostly working too.

wonderpug · Post by **wonderpug** » Fri Dec 09, 2016 5:07 pm

I've been pulling back on the joystick thinking it was resetting my orientation. No wonder it seemed inconsistent.

sgoldj · Post by **sgoldj** » Mon Jan 30, 2017 10:51 am

I just played Batman Arkham VR. Short, really short, and more of a proof of concept. But the story,as short as it was, was disturbing.

I played it through with standard controllers, s o will try MOVE controllers next run through.

From the playing part of it- too many times I was told I was out of play area or inside an object.

At $20.00, it was an enjoyable 1 hr.

Curious to see if anyone else has played.

TiLT · Post by **TiLT** » Tue Jan 31, 2017 1:56 am

I'm waiting for the inevitable Oculus/Steam versions of that one. It's one of the games that were revealed to be timed exclusives.

Max Peck · Post by **Max Peck** » Thu Feb 02, 2017 11:26 am

Round 1 to Zenimax...

A US court has ordered Facebook and other defendants to pay $500m (£395m) after finding they unlawfully used a firm's virtual reality technology.

The jury found Oculus, which Facebook bought in 2014, used computer code belonging to video game developer Zenimax to launch its own VR headset.

Oculus said it was "disappointed" and would appeal against the ruling.

[...]

Shortly before the results came out, the court awarded Zenimax damages from Facebook, Oculus and Oculus executives following a three-week trial.

Zenimax argued that its early innovations in virtual reality were unlawfully copied when Oculus built its own headset, the Rift.

"We are pleased that the jury in our case in the US District Court in Dallas has awarded Zenimax $500m for defendants' unlawful infringement of our copyrights and trademarks," said Zenimax chief executive Robert Altman.

The co-founder of Oculus, Palmer Luckey, was also found to have broken a non-disclosure agreement with the firm.

However, the jury ruled that none of the defendants misappropriated Zenimax's trade secrets.

I expected that anything to do with an NDA violation would fall on Carmack. Did Palmer Luckey have some sort of relationship with Zenimax/id prior to working on the Occulus Rift?

coopasonic · Post by **coopasonic** » Thu Feb 02, 2017 11:44 am

GameInformer says there's still no killer app. Anyone disagree? TiLT?

I came really close to trying them out over the holidays but then I got busy and didn't get to it and then my wife's car got new tires.