Oculus Rift - Development Kit 2

[SMOGZINN]

If I had to guess, it would be the prior. Facebook probably wants to create software that uses the Rift, which will probably sign into its service. Although, that seems like an odd reason to invest so much money into the company. Maybe they want to ensure their investment into software for the Rift won't be stifled by money-related issues? I know the Oculus guy stated that being partnered with Facebook will mean they no longer have to live off the "scraps" from mobile companies.

If Facebook wanted to do that they could have with out spending two billion dollars on it.
The software is open source, and beta hardware is available for purchase. They could have spent 200 million as a capital investment in the company and made sure it had plenty of money to finish production. The only reason to buy it for the amount they did is to have direct control over development so they can do something the original developers would not.

I can see VR chatting, shopping, etc eventually. I just don't think you're going to get the average person into a HMD. 3d glasses were rejected as too bulky and this is 10x worse. Widespread adoption is way over the horizon.

I think that you are underestimating the potential for this to be a mobile device. In five years with the money that Facebook has they will be able you to half the size of these and include a cell phone. At that point these become a 60' HDTV you can keep in your back pocket.

 

[Midwayman]

I think that you are underestimating the potential for this to be a mobile device. In five years with the money that Facebook has they will be able you to half the size of these and include a cell phone. At that point these become a 60' HDTV you can keep in your back pocket.

Sure, integrating the cpu/gpu could be done. That's not the issue. They can make it smaller, but you're still strapping big blinders onto your face. Best case scenario is you get something like ski goggles.

Even if it becomes 'normal', which will take a long long time, I don't see mobile for VR. Do you really want to blind yourself in a public space? I know I wouldn't. AR with something like glass is much more likely for the public space. You might eventually get a system that can do both, but the tech isn't there and people have reacted negatively to glass.

Its going to be a long road and a hard sell outside a niche market. Don't get me wrong. I think VR is awesome. I have a dk2 on order. I'm a huge supporter. I just can't see my parents getting into HMDs no matter how cool they are.

 

[xantub]

And now Michael Abrash, Valve's head of VR, moved to Oculus as chief scientist, interesting

 

[Paul98]

Well I am getting DK2, trying out different engines right now trying to figure out which one to use.

 

[cmdrdredd]

And now Michael Abrash, Valve's head of VR, moved to Oculus as chief scientist, interesting

He's just following the money...I have no doubt about that.

 

[Dumac]

Basically, if the OR is usable as a game device with 0 interaction with Facebook accounts but is available for Facebook use if you choose to, then I am happy. If any Facebook interaction is required, the OR is doomed.

Nothing else really matters about Facebook and OR's deal.

Except that they could easily start with the former and then charge to the latter.

I have zero trust in Facebook, and now I have zero trust in the OR team.

 

[Aikouka]

If Facebook wanted to do that they could have with out spending two billion dollars on it.
The software is open source, and beta hardware is available for purchase. They could have spent 200 million as a capital investment in the company and made sure it had plenty of money to finish production. The only reason to buy it for the amount they did is to have direct control over development so they can do something the original developers would not.

Well, yeah... I did mention that their two billion purchase price does seem a bit high if you want to consider it just an investment. What about another possible "dubious" reasoning... patents? Since Facebook owns Oculus, they own any existing patents or any future patents that might be created. If they think VR is the next big thing, then they just bought a fairly large contender in the space.

 

[Revolution 11]

Except that they could easily start with the former and then charge to the latter.

I have zero trust in Facebook, and now I have zero trust in the OR team.

I agree with you. I would not trust Facebook at all, and OR now is linked with them. Pity.

I don't know which is worse, if Facebook gradually exerts control or right away. I am glad Sony entered VR and Microsoft is thinking about it. Even if we get 3 privacy-be-damned solutions with ads all over the place, that is better than a single vendor controlling the market.

If Facebook is smart, they will realize that VR is coming sooner or later, the tech and software is already here, and if the market leading product is not "open" in the sense of being a dumb appliance, the next market leader product will be.

 

[mizzou]

And now Michael Abrash, Valve's head of VR, moved to Oculus as chief scientist, interesting

My opinion... Valve has nothing to gain by hoarding Oculus. I bet Valve has more of a position to want to create the software base to make VR a pleasurable experience, a'la SourceEngine.

If they can create a VREngine, then boom, valve will make shit tons of money, hand over fist by licensing that software.

As much as we question Valve's interests and wonder what is going on in Gabe's head, they will remain at core a software company.

 

[flexy]

>>
Who in their right mind would use oculus to skype or facebook with? We still use pencils because of their convenience. The trend is to make hardware invisible, not to add on mobility limiting cyberdevices.
>>

To make the hardware smaller and more convenient to wear is MERELY a matter of time and of course R&D money. There are already devices out there which work without a screen where information is indeed beamed right into the eye's retinas. If anything, the FB acquisition of OR helps them to make the device smaller, better, more accessible for the broader masses. You won't seriously believe that VR devices, in, say, 5, 10 or so years STILL would look like they do today? At some point those devices WILL not be more inconvenient that sunglasses, I am sure of that.

And..in general....incorporating social media and VR....is IMHO a logical step.

 

[flexy]

3d glasses were rejected as too bulky and this is 10x worse. Widespread adoption is way over the horizon.

This is exactly WHY FB was "investing" - if you see potential in a technology (which doubtfully is there!!) however know there are still some issues which would need to be ironed out to make it good. FB has enough money, obviously SOMEONE there sees the potential.

Of course it's not only the bulkiness, there is much more which at this point is still somewhat in the way of mainstream acceptance. Low resolution, screen door effect, h/w requirements things like that. But all things which can be solved and ARE actually already being solved as we speak.

PS: Current 3D glasses and with it all the 3D TVs, monitors etc. we have now never had a chance to be more than a simple gimmick, simply because they CAN not be immersive due to a lack of big field of view, even a 60" plasma can not give you a "I am there" experience.

 

[jlee]

Anybody have one of these yet? I can get a DK2 locally for $250....I was trying to avoid unnecessary expenses this spring, but that's cheap.

 

[SLU Aequitas]

Anybody have one of these yet? I can get a DK2 locally for $250....I was trying to avoid unnecessary expenses this spring, but that's cheap.

I have one, and I know a couple of other peeps who have one. I've had it since September (I think, maybe August?).

Used it almost entirely for Elite: Dangerous, it's definitely game changing. That being said:
- Coming from a 1440p monitor, and having functional eyes, the resolution on this thing sucks.
- Text is borderline unreadable due to both the screen type and low pixel count

But it's freaking amazing at the same time, I have high hopes for CV1+, I should get around to selling my DK2 at some point...If all this seems conflicting, it's because it is. I love the thing, but it's almost unusable for me in actual gaming.

 

[jlee]

I have one, and I know a couple of other peeps who have one. I've had it since September (I think, maybe August?).

Used it almost entirely for Elite: Dangerous, it's definitely game changing. That being said:
- Coming from a 1440p monitor, and having functional eyes, the resolution on this thing sucks.
- Text is borderline unreadable due to both the screen type and low pixel count

But it's freaking amazing at the same time, I have high hopes for CV1+, I should get around to selling my DK2 at some point...If all this seems conflicting, it's because it is. I love the thing, but it's almost unusable for me in actual gaming.

Hrm. I should probably pass on this one, then, and wait for CV1?

 

[Aikouka]

Hrm. I should probably pass on this one, then, and wait for CV1?

I've read that the differences between DK2 and Crescent Bay alone are pretty big. If I remember correctly, DK2 is a 1080p screen where Crescent Bay is a 2560x1440 screen (rumored) and 90Hz. I don't think I've ever read that it isn't a huge improvement.

Personally, I've always been tempted to try one out, but I'll probably end up waiting. Also, it doesn't help that I already wear glasses.

 

[jlee]

I've read that the differences between DK2 and Crescent Bay alone are pretty big. If I remember correctly, DK2 is a 1080p screen where Crescent Bay is a 2560x1440 screen (rumored) and 90Hz. I don't think I've ever read that it isn't a huge improvement.

Personally, I've always been tempted to try one out, but I'll probably end up waiting. Also, it doesn't help that I already wear glasses.

Yeah I wear contacts...sounds like I should wait. It should be sometime this year, if the rumors are right.

 

[Fallen Kell]

So how bad is it when using glasses? Do you really need glasses if you are nearsighted (since the display is just a couple inches from your eyes)?

 

[DeadFred]

I have one, and I know a couple of other peeps who have one. I've had it since September (I think, maybe August?).

Used it almost entirely for Elite: Dangerous, it's definitely game changing. That being said:
- Coming from a 1440p monitor, and having functional eyes, the resolution on this thing sucks.
- Text is borderline unreadable due to both the screen type and low pixel count

But it's freaking amazing at the same time, I have high hopes for CV1+, I should get around to selling my DK2 at some point...If all this seems conflicting, it's because it is. I love the thing, but it's almost unusable for me in actual gaming.

Im having a hard time understanding how you could love something that is virtually useless in its main objective.

Im guessing you love the idea and its future possibilities.

 

[Midwayman]

Anybody have one of these yet? I can get a DK2 locally for $250....I was trying to avoid unnecessary expenses this spring, but that's cheap.

I had one. DK2 is to the point its usable. The issue is there isn't a lot of software that is worthwhile long term. You'll have a great first month and then it'll sit. The CV1 improvements are supposed to be substantial. Plus real software will be out with its release. I'd just wait unless you're dying to try it.

 

[QuantumPion]

So how bad is it when using glasses? Do you really need glasses if you are nearsighted (since the display is just a couple inches from your eyes)?

Yes, the lenses focus at infinity, which means you need glasses if you are nearsighted.

 

[SLU Aequitas]

So how bad is it when using glasses? Do you really need glasses if you are nearsighted (since the display is just a couple inches from your eyes)?

You need glasses or contacts. I found that the lens provided weren't enough.

Im having a hard time understanding how you could love something that is virtually useless in its main objective.

Im guessing you love the idea and its future possibilities.

Mostly the latter, but it really is awesome putting them on in Elite Dangerous and you really "feel" like you're actually there. The problem for me is that the text readability just hampers you from actually playing the game fully (dogfights are great, station buy/sell not so much).

I had one. DK2 is to the point its usable. The issue is there isn't a lot of software that is worthwhile long term. You'll have a great first month and then it'll sit. The CV1 improvements are supposed to be substantial. Plus real software will be out with its release. I'd just wait unless you're dying to try it.

Resolution is probably the biggest issue, the 1080p (split between eyes) was further compounded by the OLED screen type (it makes text particularly hard to read).