Welcome to “Ask Mike Anything”! I’m Mike, and today I want to discuss a popular question: Is the Vive Pro worth the money? But before we dive into that, let me give you a quick roundup of all the exciting VR stuff I witnessed at Gamescom. In the coming week, I’ll provide you with a detailed video on the highlights of the show and the best VR experiences I encountered there. But now, let’s get into the Q&A session!
Contents
Favorite Oculus Rift Accessory
The Oculus Rift is an amazing VR headset, but for glasses wearers, it can be a bit cumbersome. I highly recommend investing in custom prescription glasses, such as those provided by VR lens Labs. These lenses are fixed entirely inside the headset, eliminating the risk of scratching your lenses. If you don’t wear glasses, the VR cover replacement facial interface kit from VR cover is a great option. It’s comfortable and hygienic, and it brings the lenses closer to your eyes, enhancing the field of view.
Glove and Haptic Feedback Devices in VR
Hand tracking and haptic devices are the next big thing in VR. Oculus has been experimenting with hand tracking, and it’s only a matter of time before gloves and other haptic feedback devices become widely used in VR. At Gamescom, I had the opportunity to try out some fantastic haptic vests and experience haptic feedback using hot and cold technologies. It’s an exciting prospect, and I believe we are just a year or two away from seeing these devices become mainstream.
What Is Holding Back VR?
The main barrier to VR adoption right now is the cost. Setting up a VR system requires a PC capable of running VR, the VR headset itself, and adequate space for movement. However, products like the Oculus Go and the upcoming Santa Cruz may break the entry barrier by offering standalone, affordable VR experiences. Devices like Santa Cruz, which doesn’t require a PC, could potentially drive VR into the mainstream, similar to how consoles revolutionized gaming. We are on the verge of exciting developments in VR, and it’s only a matter of time before it reaches the masses.
Is the Vive Pro Worth the Money?
If you’re an enterprise user or running a VR arcade, the Vive Pro is definitely worth the investment. However, if you’re an average consumer looking to play VR video games, I would recommend sticking with the original Vive, Windows Mixed Reality headsets, or the Oculus Rift. The Vive Pro offers enhanced resolution and comfort, but for the average consumer, the costs outweigh the benefits. It’s more sensible to save money on the headset and invest in a wide range of VR games and experiences instead.
Single PC Setup for Recording VR Gameplay
You don’t necessarily need a dual PC setup to record VR gameplay. A single PC with a decent processor, RAM, and a good graphics card, like an NVIDIA Titan X, can handle both recording and gameplay simultaneously. There are plugins available, such as OpenVR for OBS, which can help you capture VR gameplay. If you’re using the Oculus Rift, you can use OBS to capture the default window output or the Oculus Mirror output.
The future of VR lies in social applications. Platforms like VR Chat, Facebook Spaces, and Alt Space allow users to socialize and hang out in virtual environments with friends and family. These social VR experiences have the potential to drive mass adoption of VR. Imagine being able to catch up with friends and family overseas as if you were right there in the same room. VR social apps have immense potential, and although we’re not quite there yet, they are definitely the driving force behind VR’s mass appeal.
Favorite Genre and Unrealized Potential
My favorite genre of games in VR is puzzle games. VR adds an extra dimension to puzzle-solving, making it a truly immersive experience. Games like Static on PSVR and The Fisherman’s Tale, which I experienced at Gamescom, offer unique and engaging puzzle challenges. As for unrealized potential, I would love to see more open-world games in VR where players can freely interact and engage with other players. Imagine an open-world VR game like The Division, where you can go on missions with friends or encounter other players. It would be an incredibly immersive and exciting experience.
What Inspired Me to Become a YouTuber
I became a YouTuber because of my passion for VR. I genuinely believed that VR was the future of gaming and social interaction, but at the time, not many people shared that enthusiasm. I wanted to spread my passion and raise awareness about VR through YouTube. I wanted to contribute to the growth of the industry and help it succeed. Although VR still has a long way to go in terms of mass adoption, I believe that as content creators, we can play a significant role in making VR a mainstream technology.
That concludes this session of “Ask Mike Anything”! I hope you enjoyed our Q&A adventure, and if you have any more questions, feel free to leave them in the comments. Don’t forget to subscribe to my channel and join my Discord community. Together, let’s keep spreading the VR passion and shape the future of technology!
Cheers
