Virtual Reality is about to have the most amazing revolution on par with the creation of the internet. We’re about to enter the next step in immersive realities, gaming and virtual life. You’re lucky enough to be here now to experience this.
The Oculus Rift is the technology spearheading this new movement and excitement is building as Oculus gets closer to releasing a high definition consumer version. We’re seeing more and more developers jumping on and writing games specifically for this virtual reality wave that’s approaching critical mass.
Here’s a rundown of what we’re seeing in the VR scene.
Oculus Rift
A consumer-oriented ‘Oculus Rift 2.0′ is in development, which will be aimed at a general market and feature improved components. Improved head tracking, weapon tracking, 1080p resolution, and wireless operation are some of the features under consideration for the Rift 2.0. Palmer Luckey has said that such a Head-mounted display (HMD) should be possible in 2014. In June 2013 a 1080p version of the Rift was shown at E3.
http://www.oculusvr.com
Razer Hydra Controller
The Razer Hydra (previously known as Sixense TrueMotion) is a motion and orientation detection game controller developed by Sixense Entertainment, a company founded in 2007, in partnership with Razer USA. It uses a weak magnetic field to detect the absolute position and orientation of the controllers with a precision, as stated by its developers, of 1 mm and 1°; it has six degrees of freedom. The current release is wired, but a wireless version is in development.
http://www.razerzone.com/gaming-controllers/razer-hydra
Occulus Rift and the Razer Hydra Playing HydraDeck
HydraDeck seems like an appropriately tech demo-y name for a game that uses both an Oculus Rift virtual-reality headset and the Razer Hydra motion controller to put you behind cover. The gameplay premise may not be as novel as it was even a few years ago, but leave it to VR to make shooting at aliens from behind cover fresh again.
Virtuix Omni Treadmill Controller
The omnidirectional treadmill works as a game controller to let gamers walk within game environments. The Omni has a “bowl-shaped, low-friction surface” and works with special shoes.
http://www.virtuix.com/
3rd Space Haptic Vest
The 3RD Space Vest is the only gaming peripheral ever created that gives you the unique ability to sense and feel what your character experiences during gameplay. Unlike rumble or motorized force feedback devices, the Vest uses air to generate impact and pressure forces to your body emulating the quality, character, and directional attributes of what you see happening. Feel the impacts as bullets strike and grenades explode, not only as it happens, but more importantly, where it happens. The Vest creates a unique 3 dimensional physical experience, making you an integral part of the action while transforming how you play. Read
