Oculus VR has announced launch details for its Oculus Rift virtual reality headset. But don’t get too excited just yet. It won’t hit the streets until the first quarter of 2016, with pre-orders starting later this year.
“The Oculus Rift builds on the presence, immersion, and comfort of the Crescent Bay prototype with an improved tracking system that supports both seated and standing experiences, as well as a highly refined industrial design, and updated ergonomics for a more natural fit,” Oculus said in the blog post.
Oculus’ Crescent Bay prototype has been well received but the long delay in releasing the Oculus Rift since the headset was first revealed to the world as a Kickstarter project has given other major companies time to catch up.
Samsung released its Galaxy-powered Gear VR headset last year and Sony is working on its Project Morpheus headset. But it’s the HTC Vive that’s more worrying for Oculus’ prospects. While the Gear VR is tied to mobile phones and Project Morpheus was designed for Sony’s PlayStation 4, the HTC Vive takes square aim at PC gaming – just like Oculus. What’s more, the SteamVR technology powering the Vive creates a more compelling virtual reality experience than the Oculus prototypes because of its pair of VR controllers and ability to let you wander within a 15ft. radius. Simply put, HTC and Valve’s headset is the new VR frontrunner in town.
Gathering the wagons
Don’t count out Oculus, though. Beyond developing VR-ready software with Samsung, Oculus purchased the team behind the legendary Xbox 360 controller last June. That team must be making inroads because last November Oculus CEO Brendan Iribe said that a large part of the Rift’s delay can be chalked up to the search for the perfect VR controller. Keyboard, mice, and gamepads just aren’t that immersive when you’re wandering VR worlds.
Oculus has also been busy locking down actual PC game support for the Rift’s launch, assembling a gaming dream team of Doom creator John Carmack, Naughty Dog co-founder Jason Rubin and Jason Holtman, the former head of Valve’s Steam. CCP’s Eve: Valkyrie space combat game has been announced as an Oculus Rift launch exclusive.
Some of the biggest titles of 2014, including Elite: Dangerous and Alien Isolation already baked-in support for Oculus prototypes, and the list of extraordinary Rift demos available is practically endless. Oculus promises details for “many of our unannounced made-for-VR games and experiences coming to the Rift,” in the coming weeks, as well.
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