Connect with us

Oculus Rift: Everything You Need To Know

Featured

Oculus Rift: Everything You Need To Know


Features

A new era of virtual reality launches soon


Michael Grothaus

16:47, 11 Jan 2016

It’s very likely 2016 will be the year gaming changed forever. That’s because there’s a slew of high profile virtual reality devices ready to launch this year including the Sony PlayStation VR and the HTC Vive. But without a doubt the biggest VR launch of the year will be the Oculus Rift. This is the device that most people think of when they think “virtual reality”. It will immerse us heads first into a world where we can look around and see digital objects that are just as lifelike as physical ones.

The application of VR headsets is virtually unlimited, but of course a majority of consumers will be getting into them for the gaming, which promises to be a quantum leap compared to our flat screen 2D console games we’ve been used to for almost 30 years. But just what is the Oculus Rift and where do you get one? Here’s everything you need to know.

Oculus Rift: What is it?

The Oculus Rift is a virtual reality device consisting of headset, sensor, remote, and controller. There’s no traditional console box because you wear the device on your head. The device acts as goggles that immerse you in a 360 degree virtual reality experience. The included sensor and controller allows you to interact with whatever app or game you are playing.

In a blog post Oculus described the latest consumer version of the Rift: “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 Rift: Where did it come from?

The current craze of VR headsets can be tracked back to one person: Palmer Luckey, the man who founded Oculus. When he was a teenager he has a fascination with relatively primitive VR tech, which has been around since the 1980s. This lead him to creating his own VR headset—the Oculus Rift, which was successfully funded on Kickstarter and then shortly after received a massive $2 billion buyout from Facebook.

Oculus Rift: What do I need to use the Rift?

The Oculus Rift works by plugging into your PC’s USB port and tracks your head movements by the built-in and external sensors. It will not work as a stand alone device. The Rift will support a range of PCs. The minimum specs you’ll need are a 2.4GHz quad-core CPU and a 64GB HDD, and a Nvidia 9800 or AMD 4870 graphics card, which each requires 1GB of dedicated RAM.

However, in order to get the full experience with the best graphics, a PC with an NVIDIA GTX 970 / AMD 290 equivalent or greater, an Intel i5-4590 equivalent or greater, and 8GB+ RAM is recommended.

Despite the fact that the Oculus Rift comes with an Xbox One controller, you won’t be able to plug it into the Xbox to play games. You’ll still need a Windows 10 PC. However, the Xbox One is expected to gain functionality that lets it stream some games and content right to the Oculus Rift.

Oculus Rift: Is Microsoft involved?

Eh, a bit. Not in the sense that they own or make the Oculus Rift in any way. Instead they have been partnering with Facebook to support the Oculus Rift via things like Xbox One streaming and adding support for the Xbox One controller. However, you can tell Microsoft sees Oculus as an important partner since Playstation is coming out with their own VR headset, which will require a PS4, later this year.

Oculus Rift: Operating system

Like any other gaming device, the Oculus Rift will have its own OS, called Oculus Home. When you put on the goggles you’ll see a home screen that resembles the Xbox dashboard. It will have different sections for content, storefronts, social media, and tiled previews.

Oculus Rift: What apps and games are supported?

No doubt more and more games and apps will be announced closer to when the device ships. For now Oculus Rift users can expect to see game titles including EYE: Valkyrie, Lucky’s Tale, Chronos, Edge of Nowhere, Damage Core, VR Sports Challenge, Esper, and AirMechVR.

Oculus Rift: When can I get it and how much does it cost?

Well, the good news is you can preorder the Oculus Rift now. It’s US price is $599 plus tax and shipping. That equals about £410 here in the UK. For that price you’ll get the Oculus Rift headset, an Xbox One controller, a remote, the Oculus sensor, and two games: EYE: Valkyrie and Lucky’s Tale.

People who preorder now will receive the device in March of this year. Other consumers can expect to see it on store shelves around June.

Features

S new generation of digital fact launches quickly

Michael Grothaus 16:47, 11 Jan 2016

It’s very most probably 2016 would be the yr gaming modified endlessly. That’s as a result of there’s a slew of top profile digital fact units in a position to release this yr together with the Sony PlayStation VR and the HTC Vive. But certainly the largest VR release of the yr would be the Oculus Rift. This is the software that most of the people call to mind once they assume “digital fact”. It will immerse us heads first into an international the place we will be able to go searching and notice virtual items which are simply as practical as bodily ones.

The software of VR headsets is nearly limitless, however in fact a majority of customers shall be entering them for the gaming, which guarantees to be a quantum bounce in comparison to our flat monitor 2D console video games we’ve been used to for just about 30 years. But simply what's the Oculus Rift and the place do you get one? Here’s the whole thing you wish to have to understand.

Oculus Rift: What is it?

The Oculus Rift is a digital fact tool which include headset, sensor, far flung, and controller. There’s no conventional console field since you put on the software for your head. The tool acts as goggles that immerse you in a 360 level digital fact revel in. The incorporated sensor and controller permits you to have interaction with no matter what app or recreation you're enjoying.

In a weblog publish Oculus defined the recent shopper model of the Rift: “The Oculus Rift builds at the presence, immersion, and luxury of the Crescent Bay prototype with a much better monitoring device that helps each seated and status reviews, in addition to a extremely subtle commercial layout, and up to date ergonomics for a extra herbal have compatibility.”

Oculus Rift: Where did it come from?

The present craze of VR headsets may also be tracked again to at least one individual: Palmer Luckey, the person who based Oculus. When he used to be an adolescent he has a fascination with somewhat primitive VR tech, which has been round because the Nineteen Eighties. This lead him to making his personal VR headset—the Oculus Rift, which used to be effectively funded on Kickstarter after which in a while after won a huge $2 billion buyout from Facebook.

Oculus Rift: What do O want to use the Rift?

The Oculus Rift works by way of plugging into your PC’s USB port and tracks your head actions through the integrated and exterior sensors. It won't paintings as a stand on my own tool. The Rift will strengthen a variety of PCs. The minimal specifications you’ll want are a 2.4GHz quad-center CPU and a 64GB HDD, and a Nvidia 9800 or AMD 4870 photos card, which each and every calls for 1GB of devoted RAM.

However, as a way to get the whole revel in with the most productive portraits, a PC with an NVIDIA GTX 970 / AMD 290 similar or higher, an Intel i5-4590 similar or higher, and 8GB+ RAM is beneficial.

Despite the truth that the Oculus Rift comes with an Xbox One controller, you gained’t be capable of plug it into the Xbox to play video games. You’ll nonetheless want a Windows 10 PC. However, the Xbox One is predicted to realize capability that shall we it flow a few video games and content material proper to the Oculus Rift.

Oculus Rift: Is Microsoft concerned?

Eh, somewhat. Not within the feel that they personal or make the Oculus Rift whatsoever. Instead they have got been partnering with Facebook to fortify the Oculus Rift by the use of such things as Xbox One streaming and including give a boost to for the Xbox One controller. However, you'll be able to inform Microsoft sees Oculus as crucial spouse in view that Playstation is popping out with their very own VR headset, as a way to require a PS4, later this yr.

Oculus Rift: Operating gadget

Like another gaming tool, the Oculus Rift may have its personal OS, referred to as Oculus Home. When you set at the goggles you’ll see a house monitor that resembles the Xbox dashboard. It may have other sections for content material, storefronts, social media, and tiled previews.

Oculus Rift: What apps and video games are supported?

No doubt increasingly more video games and apps will probably be introduced nearer to while the tool ships. For now Oculus Rift customers can be expecting to peer recreation titles together with EYE: Valkyrie, Lucky’s Tale, Chronos, Edge of Nowhere, Damage Core, VR Sports Challenge, Esper, and AirMechVR.

Oculus Rift: When can S get it and what kind of does it value?

Well, the excellent news is you'll be able to preorder the Oculus Rift now. It’s US worth is $599 plus tax and delivery. That equals approximately £410 right here in the United Kingdom. For that worth you’ll get the Oculus Rift headset, an Xbox One controller, a faraway, the Oculus sensor, and video games: EYE: Valkyrie and Lucky’s Tale.

People who preorder now will obtain the tool in March of this yr. Other shoppers can be expecting to peer it on retailer cabinets round June.

Comments

More in Featured

Popular

Featured

Advertisement
To Top