SteamVR to support Microsoft VR Platform, MORE $299-$399 headsets

[The Benjamins]

 

I am happy to see Steam is going to support these headsets, It is awesome to see a lot of competition in the gaming VR space. I hope this drives innovation and pushes down prices.

 

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When Microsoft first unveiled the Windows 10 Creators Update last year, a big focus was put on the virtual reality capabilities, with Redmond promising a range of VR headsets with prices starting at just $299. When the Creators Update actually arrived in March this year, however, those VR capabilities were only visible if you enabled developer mode; they were there for developers, but not for the general public. The Fall Creators Update, due to be finalized next month, will remove the developer mode restriction, opening up Microsoft's 3D platform to all.

 

In time for this year's holiday season, there will be $299 headsets and $399 headset-and-motion-controller bundles, using Microsoft's new motion controllers. Aside from the price, the Windows platform has a few features that make it stand out from SteamVR and the HTC Vive and Facebook's Oculus Rift. The first is substantially easier setup, as the Windows platform doesn't need fixed base stations for position tracking. Instead, it uses "inside out" tracking; it combines acceleration input from accelerometers with visual input from cameras embedded in the headsets to provide motion tracking. This means that it doesn't need base stations on the walls, nor does it need the laser-based tracking used in the HoloLens headset.

 

 

Quote

The second big feature is greatly diminished hardware requirements. Microsoft is offering two logo programs. "Windows Mixed Reality PCs" will use integrated graphics (Intel Skylake or better) and be able to drive the headsets at 60 frames per second. "Windows Mixed Reality Ultra PCs" will use discrete graphics processors and drive the headsets at 90 frames per second. As well as the higher frame rates, Ultra systems will have a slightly larger field of view. They'll also be able to mirror the headset's picture on-screen so that bystanders can watch what you're seeing in VR.

 

Microsoft is also announcing a partnership that may come as a surprise: games built for Valve's SteamVR platform will run on and be compatible with the Windows Mixed Reality headsets. This means that there's an existing library of software that'll work on day one.

 

https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2017/08/steamvr-games-coming-to-microsofts-299-vr-platform/

[PlayStation 2]

Valve does shit for money. I'm sure the benefits of them supporting MicrosoftVR is more worthwhile than the cost to implement it into the SteamVR package.

[Misanthrope]

Will Microsoft push it's own store with exclusives or other methods though?

 

299 for VR without the motion controls (Not a fan personally) if it turns out to be decent enough resolution might be worth checking out.

[The Benjamins]

5 minutes ago, Misanthrope said:

Will Microsoft push it's own store with exclusives or other methods though?

 

299 for VR without the motion controls (Not a fan personally) if it turns out to be decent enough resolution might be worth checking out.

Well they have a bundle at $399 with Microsoft new motion controllers.

 

I think Microsoft will have their own exclusives but they are probably more geared to the AR experience that the Rift and Vive can't do.

 

Note The FOV is a little smaller on these but they have a higher resolution. 95 VS 110

[Misanthrope]

2 minutes ago, The Benjamins said:

Well they have a bundle at $399 with Microsoft new motion controllers.

 

I think Microsoft will have their own exclusives but they are probably more geared to the AR experience that the Rift and Vive can't do.

 

Note The FOV is a little smaller on these but they have a higher resolution. 95 VS 110

But I don't want motion controls or AR though: Like most average people I don't have room to have motion controls. Even with shit like the Wii most people had to move around their living room and that was without the inconvenience of cables. That's fucking stupid, I don't care how immersive it might be it's just nothing ready for regular consumers on regular households.

[RGProductions]

I'd rather have a switch lmao

[The Benjamins]

21 minutes ago, Misanthrope said:

But I don't want motion controls or AR though: Like most average people I don't have room to have motion controls. Even with shit like the Wii most people had to move around their living room and that was without the inconvenience of cables. That's fucking stupid, I don't care how immersive it might be it's just nothing ready for regular consumers on regular households.

Oops thought you wanted that. I am the same I want a good siting experience. But the AR part helps you to find the keyboard mouse, in a peak mode. but I am just glad to see competition and hopefully it drives down prices and gets us more games/software.

[Bananasplit_00]

running a good VR experience on IGPUs... sounds like 720p to me...

[The Benjamins]

1 hour ago, Bananasplit_00 said:

running a good VR experience on IGPUs... sounds like 720p to me...

The iGPU part is in refeance to 60hz AR stuff where it is a simpler thing like prototype inspection.

[Bananasplit_00]

im pretty hyped for cheap VR but i wont be able to buy it because i need all the money i can for my motorbike licence lol

[LePawel]

2 hours ago, Misanthrope said:

But I don't want motion controls or AR though: Like most average people I don't have room to have motion controls. Even with shit like the Wii most people had to move around their living room and that was without the inconvenience of cables. That's fucking stupid, I don't care how immersive it might be it's just nothing ready for regular consumers on regular households.

Shit, as someone with access to those through profession, these can easily be used in sitting position, with or without controllers, they have by far best resolution, easiest setup and lowest price, yet you complain for sake of complaining. 

And just because you don't want something, doesn't means the market doesn't either. 

 

 

[Misanthrope]

16 minutes ago, LePawel said:

Shit, as someone with access to those through profession, these can easily be used in sitting position, with or without controllers, they have by far best resolution, easiest setup and lowest price, yet you complain for sake of complaining. 

And just because you don't want something, doesn't means the market doesn't either. 

Well there's multiple SKUs for them we'll see which one sells better.

[LePawel]

4 hours ago, Misanthrope said:

Well there's multiple SKUs for them we'll see which one sells better.

They all have different details like finish, materials etc, but looks like same/similar core (screen quality, sensors) 

[AlTech]

Title has a typo

[RagnarokDel]

It's not surprising considering you can buy a rift or a Vive directly on the microsoft store.

[Sakkura]

22 hours ago, The Benjamins said:

Well they have a bundle at $399 with Microsoft new motion controllers.

 

I think Microsoft will have their own exclusives but they are probably more geared to the AR experience that the Rift and Vive can't do.

 

Note The FOV is a little smaller on these but they have a higher resolution. 95 VS 110

These headsets can't do AR experiences either. They are VR headsets.

 

Mixed reality is just Microsoft marketing BS.