Virtual Reality

[Neon Ignition]

Ultimately because people want to be able to run the new games that will utilise the hardware. If the primary reliance is on pre-existing software then you instead have the equivalent of an endless chain of PS5 Pro models instead. I might buy a Pro but I wouldn't buy a Pro Pro, followed by a Pro Pro Pro etc.

I take it though as a positive indicator that, when it comes to the VR experience, I'm at a point where the hardware and the quality of experience it gives is close enough to being all round good enough to not need constant revision. I don't anticipate feeling a need for much beyond a better tracking quality and resolution than Quest 2 has which is a major achievement in headset design given how long the road has been to get to this point. Software remains a growing concern for me looking to the horizon though.

[MartyG]

And so there will be similar reasons to change VR headsets too - I'd be fairly confident that there will be a Quest 4 and 5, better resolutions, better fov, higher fidelity graphics, cooler running processors, longer battery life, smaller lighter headsets, improvement in tracking, improvements in passthru, improvements in wireless technologies, etc etc.

[Asura]

Why does anyone need a PS6?

In fairness to [MENTION=345]Neon Ignition[/MENTION], for me, this comment makes me think, MartyG.

Because I haven't bought a PS5. I haven't bought it because, so-far, there are no specific games I want to play on it (Armored Core 6 might be the first). And I only bought a PS4 Pro ~2 years ago, because I got one on eBay very cheap in the aftermath of the PS5 launch.

Historically I tended to only buy consoles when there were 6-7 games I wanted to play. On occasion this would be at launch, but not usually.

But then this is similar to the PS4. At full-price (considering that I own a gaming PC) the PS4 never felt like it was worth it.

[Neon Ignition]

Yep, like how as things stand you're better served owning a PSVR1 as though the tech is worse the software and cost is better. To sell me beyond Quest 3 there would need to be compelling new software that necessitates Quest 4 etc beyond FOV and resolution jumps.

[Neon Ignition]

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[MartyG]

Apple Insider breaks NDA and leaks info on the Vision Pro



And shocking no one, air keyboards are terrible, battery life is short, and long session use becomes uncomfortable and hot. Just like most VR headsets then.

[Asura]

Oculus Quest 3's are out in the wild. There's a leaked unboxing video.

Nothing surprising or interesting though, as yet.

[Neon Ignition]

A new VR headset is on my mid-term agenda. I doubt it for this year but looking at the options there's absolutely, resolutely, affirmably no way in a burning or frozen hell I'm putting money into a 'premium' headset as there's no value in it. The same now goes for PSVR2 which is clearly a still-born closed ecosystem Quest-a-like for Sony so I think barring a shocker it seems all but certain the Quest 3 will be the choice.

[MartyG]

I've had a quick look, it's possible that the strap detatches in a similar way to the Quest 2 (despite the charging port) - it looks like there's a gap there in the outside (stress point potentially) - hope so because the default straps on them have been various degrees of awful. I'm glad they've changed the shape of the power button too.

The BOBOVR M2 Plus is light years ahead of the "pro" Quest 2 strap, let alone the elastic one.

[MartyG]

WRC is getting VR support on PC, but post-launch: https://www.uploadvr.com/ea-sports-wrc-vr-support/

[Asura]

Quick roundup on Quest 3 stuff.

Release looks to be October 10th; multiple retailers have "accidentally" leaked this date.

This is also approximately 2 weeks after Meta Connect on Sept 27th. People anticipate this is when pre-orders will open, as that's what they did for the Quest 2.

It has been confirmed that Quest 2 headstraps will not work with Quest 3 via a leak; someone posted the straps; they're just differently shaped and sized. You might be able to make/get an adaptor but they won't work out of the box.

However, one of the leakers (who, it has been suggested, works for a peripheral manufacturer) - has suggested that far fewer people will need headstraps for the Q3 than the Q2. This is because it's ~40% smaller, a fair bit narrower (as in, it protrudes less distance from your face) and has a different centre-of-mass, meaning that the leverage feels very different and overall it fits quite well. Though in fairness, every VR headset manufacturer says their headset is comfy out-of-the-box and historically this has been a baseless boast.

[MartyG]

We'll have to wait and see - as I mentioned above, that BOBOVR M2 strap I bought, it's fabulous and made an absolutely massive difference to the balance of Quest 2 for me, compared to wearing the official pro strap (I don't think I even tried the elastic strap as I bought it with the pro strap).

So even if it is better than Quest 2, third-party straps may still offer improved wearability.

[Neon Ignition]

[Asura]

So even if it is better than Quest 2, third-party straps may still offer improved wearability.

Really hoping that Razer do a new version of their Quest 2 strap for the Quest 3. Everyone who tries it says it's fantastic. I have the BoboVR Pro strap but honestly I don't use the battery that much.

[Lebowski]

Tenchu VR ftw,

https://www.pushsquare.com/news/2023/09/arashi-castles-of-sin-final-cut-showcases-psvr2-stealth-action-gameplay

Seems its PSVR 2 bound as well! colour me excited.

Its by the same dev's who did the excellent Walking Dead Saints and Sinners