[Guru3d] Oculus Rift Pre-Order $599/€699

[4K_shmoorK]

What do you guys think?

$600 for the a 'first' gen VR headset worth it? Not sure if the VR headset will hold its value well. Wasn't the DK2 $350? Granted they throw in the XB1 Controller, mic, and remote.

http://www.guru3d.com/news-story/oculus-rift-for-consumers-to-cost-699-eur-599-usd.html

Starting today consumers can pre-order the Oculus Rift, the vr-glasses will cost a staggering 699 EURO and 599 USD. The Touch-controllers for the Oculus Rift vr-glasses are not included in that price, but also will be delayed and released much later.

Oculus announced that 20 countries starting March 28 wil get the device delivered. Rift will also be available in limited locations at select retailers starting in April.

Rift includes the headset with built-in headphones and mic, sensor, and an Xbox One controller. The game Lucky’s Tale by Playful is included with every Rift. The Rift also includes the Oculus Remote. The Oculus Remote is a new input device they designed to make it more simple and intuitive to navigate VR experiences. With Remote, you can easily browse the Oculus store, explore 360 video content in Oculus Video, or experience a wide range of VR games and entertainment. It is the easiest way to introduce non-gamers to VR.

All Rift pre-orders include access to EVE: Valkyrie through the Founder’s Pack, which will include exclusive in-game content, founder status in Valkyrie, and much more. Details about everything included in the EVE: Valkyrie Founder’s Pack will be revealed soon.

Is your PC Oculus Ready? For the full Rift experience, we recommend the following PC system:

graphics card: NVIDIA GTX 970 / AMD R9 290 equivalent or greater
processor: Intel i5-4590 equivalent or greater
memory: 8GB+ RAM
output: Compatible HDMI 1.3 video output
input: 3x USB 3.0 ports plus 1x USB 2.0 port
operating system: Windows 7 SP1 64 bit or newer
Bundles that include an Oculus Ready PC and a Rift will be available for pre-order in February starting at $1499. Additional fees may apply, including tax and shipping costs.

 

[ShintaiDK]

There is a long thread over at the PC gaming section about it.

599$ is a joke. And the amount of places you can use it is miniscule.

VR looks to be dead before launch. Unless porno can save it.

 

[railven]

Woof, makes me wonder what the PS4 version will cost. Unlike this one that is just the headset with a controller, they expect you to have the hardware to run it, the PS4 kit is suppose to include additional hardware, quoted by some Sony figurehead as being as costly as the PS4 itself.

VR is in for one hell of an uphill battle. I wonder if it will die on the same hill as 3D-TV/Movies/Gaming.

 

[4K_shmoorK]

VR looks to be dead before launch. Unless porno can save it.

:thumbsup:

Seem to have priced themselves out of reach for adolescents and most teenagers. Had it been closer to $350 I could have seen mom/dad buying one for Johnny or teens saving up for it. The gaming market thrives on young people, six bills is an awful lot. Especially when cheaper alternatives are coming to market shortly.

 

[Techhog]

There is a long thread over at the PC gaming section about it.

599$ is a joke. And the amount of places you can use it is miniscule.

VR looks to be dead before launch. Unless porno can save it.

It just needs time. GPUs need time to get fast enough anyway, probably after the next node shrink and console generation.

That said, I couldn't care less.

 

[monstercameron]

Seeing ~$600
That moment when vr dies...

 

[Subyman]

I'm not quite understanding why people are calling VR dead because of this early adopter price point. LCDs started at $20k. 4K started sky high. I think the price is high compared to the dev kit, but I was expecting that. Because the launch unit is $600 doesn't mean VR will always be out of reach. I can see it easily dropping to something more in line with an impulse buy in time for Christmas. Next year these will likely be down in the $299 range, at least to start.

 

[railven]

I'm not quite understanding why people are calling VR dead because of this early adopter price point. LCDs started at $20k. 4K started sky high. I think the price is high compared to the dev kit, but I was expecting that. Because the launch unit is $600 doesn't mean VR will always be out of reach. I can see it easily dropping to something more in line with an impulse buy in time for Christmas. Next year these will likely be down in the $299 range, at least to start.

You are comparing two different product-types.

Sure, you can argue VR would be the evolution of current gaming just like LCD's were the evolution of tubed TVs.

But something tells me people won't be upgrading their current gaming monitors/setups for VR headsets like people were upgrading their CRTs to LCDs.

 

[swilli89]

I'm not quite understanding why people are calling VR dead because of this early adopter price point. LCDs started at $20k. 4K started sky high. I think the price is high compared to the dev kit, but I was expecting that. Because the launch unit is $600 doesn't mean VR will always be out of reach. I can see it easily dropping to something more in line with an impulse buy in time for Christmas. Next year these will likely be down in the $299 range, at least to start.

Seriously the negativity is mind-boggling. No one ever said VR/PC Gaming was affordable. Its a western luxury.

How many drones (quad-copters) sell for $1000? That market is BOOMING, all for a toy. VR is definitely a luxury that will catch on as long as its implemented properly. This is the very. first. VR headset for sale. $600 is not bad.

 

[tviceman]

The tech will get cheaper. The first good 3D accelerator was $300+ back in 1995 and certainly that tech didn't die off. People said the same thing about the iPad Etc. There I'd always a high cost for first gen adopters and later versions will always get much greater bang for buck.

 

[Subyman]

You are comparing two different product-types.

Sure, you can argue VR would be the evolution of current gaming just like LCD's were the evolution of tubed TVs.

But something tells me people won't be upgrading their current gaming monitors/setups for VR headsets like people were upgrading their CRTs to LCDs.

I never said it was an exact comparison. I was illustrating the point (which I'm surprised I should have to) that early adopter tech is nearly always expensive, but comes down in price over time. $600 now with a full bundle. Take out the controller and optimize production then we see $399 for Christmas. Money from the early adopters pours fuel on further optimizations and a line-up split with a high end unit and a lower end unit for 2017 hitting two price targets. One likely $299 while the other is the high end $499+. This market sector is just beginning, give it some time.

 

[monstercameron]

By the Time this comes down in price, flexible 3d oleds w/ vrr will be in vogue and we'll be looking back at vr like we currently do the Wii...

 

[Timmah!]

And Europe gets screwed yet again...

 

[cfenton]

It's definitely a wait and see device for me. If good games ever come out (not silly tech demos) then it will probably be worth it. Hopefully by then it will also get a significant price drop. $399 seems like the sweet-spot to me.

 

[Snafuh]

By the Time this comes down in price, flexible 3d oleds w/ vrr will be in vogue and we'll be looking back at vr like we currently do the Wii...

Why would flexible 3D Oleds make VR obsolete? HTC and Oculus can use new displays in future version of their devices, too. The software and sensors are essential for a good VR experience. It took HTC/Valve and Oculus a lot of time and money to develop their products

 

[monstercameron]

Why would flexible 3D Oleds make VR obsolete? HTC and Oculus can use new displays in future version of their devices, too. The software and sensors are essential for a good VR experience. It took HTC/Valve and Oculus a lot of time and money to develop their products

That was hyperbole, what I really meant was that vr is in vogue right now, this high introductory price might deter the masses from buying and building momentum it needs to survive the eventual loss of mind share when the next big thing comes out.

 

[n0x1ous]

haven't been this excited for something in a long time, so although the price was more than I was expecting, I was already mentally committed to this a few months ago. Had a few issues with the site being overwhelmed by traffic, but got my pre-order in with expected April ship date.

 

[moonbogg]

There is a long thread over at the PC gaming section about it.

599$ is a joke. And the amount of places you can use it is miniscule.

VR looks to be dead before launch. Unless porno can save it.

Ah. Now I see. Those forum members who are so eager to throw their money at this thing...I look at those people with suspicion now.

 

[Headfoot]

I don't care what the haters say. Virtual reality is cool, its the sci fi dream. The fact I will be able to buy it now is unbelievably awesome.

Given that its a good chunk of cash though, I'm going to see what the reviews say on the Oculus Rift vs. HTC/Valve Vive. They both look promising so itll boil down to execution and compatibility. Plus I might just wait a little bit and buy a used one, as I'm sure there will be a good second hand market from people who just cant physically tolerate VR. Or maybe I'll buy a used one of the other VR headset I dont buy to compare them!

 

[boozzer]

I'm not quite understanding why people are calling VR dead because of this early adopter price point. LCDs started at $20k. 4K started sky high. I think the price is high compared to the dev kit, but I was expecting that. Because the launch unit is $600 doesn't mean VR will always be out of reach. I can see it easily dropping to something more in line with an impulse buy in time for Christmas. Next year these will likely be down in the $299 range, at least to start.

there are posters who hates VR, the reason is not the price.

 

[Snafuh]

That was hyperbole, what I really meant was that vr is in vogue right now, this high introductory price might deter the masses from buying and building momentum it needs to survive the eventual loss of mind share when the next big thing comes out.

Oh, I didn't get it. I think VR has a place and will stay. It's not perfect for gaming but it's nice to showcase products or even watch movies(alone).
Audi announced a VR showroom for their cars. Planning a house with a VR device will be great.

 

[Subyman]

That was hyperbole, what I really meant was that vr is in vogue right now, this high introductory price might deter the masses from buying and building momentum it needs to survive the eventual loss of mind share when the next big thing comes out.

VR has been promising for years and years. The tech has never been ready to actually deliver it until recently. I don't think we will know how people receive it until there is wide spread use. For most in the mainstream they still haven't heard of it yet or know anything about it coming out, so they won't tire of something they aren't aware of. Their business is sound. Build a dedicated core and expand from there. By the time they are ready to launch a cheap version for everyone they will have the means for mass marketing and have the software to back up mainstream expectations. The enthusiasts that buy this will use it for Elite Dangerous, aircraft simulators, niche racing games, mod added support for older games, and tech demos.

Them releasing this wide scale at a low price point would be terrible right now since only niche enthusiast games support it.

 

[fleshconsumed]

Anyone remember VFX1? Everything old is new again.

 

[Snafuh]

Anyone remember VFX1? Everything old is new again.

This is not comparable to modern VR. The VFX1 had horrible resolution and colors. It was worse than the average screen back then. And it did cost 1000$. With inflation in mind it's more than twice as expensive as the Oculus.

 

[Subyman]

Anyone remember VFX1? Everything old is new again.

That kind of proves the point that VR is a timeless experience and that people are extremely fascinated by. They by no means had the technology to make practical VR back then, but the ideal was sound. It does revolutionize the way we train people, the way we interact with human imagination, and how we communicate. The theory was spot on and everyone from Hollywood to the mainstream ate it up, but the tech did not deliver. I think we are in a different situation here. People want it and maybe now we can actually have it.