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Oculus Rift Loses Doom 3 BFG Edition From Launch Package, But Gains TF2

skade88 writes "Neoseeker and the Verge are reporting that the Oculus Rift launch will no longer have Doom 3 BFG support. But in some good news to offset the bad, Valve will be releasing an Oculus ready version of TF2 when the Dev kits ship. For those backers who are upset about not having Doom 3 BFG edition support on launch of the Oculus Rift, they are offering the following options: '$20 Steam Wallet credit ... $25 Oculus Store credit ... or a full refund for your pledge.'"

69 comments

  1. Carmack Not Onboard? by sanman2 · · Score: 3, Interesting

    But I thought Carmack was recently demoing a prototype version of Oculus Rift at some gaming con. Has he opted out of this tech? Why, and for what alternative?

    1. Re:Carmack Not Onboard? by Trubacca · · Score: 5, Informative

      No, things have been pretty hush hush in advance of GDC, but the community consensus is that the original support for Doom 3 was hard-coded in, and with the changes to the Dev Kit the support was no longer available. Carmack didn't have the time to plug in the changes needed, what with Doom 4 in development. We will probably find out more on the 26th.

    2. Re:Carmack Not Onboard? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      Carmack has a day job and ZeniMax told him to get back to work on stuff that makes them money and stop giving away cheap games that compete with their upcoming releases.

    3. Re:Carmack Not Onboard? by SirAdelaide · · Score: 1

      Getting Doom with it was a large part of their Kickstarter campaign.

      They did say the Kickstarter was only for devs, so Doom would be more as a tech demo than the main reason for purchase, but a lot of the 9,500 supporters looked like regular people wanting to get in on the next cool thing.

      I can imagine a lot of unhappy people.

      --
      I'm a fruit pirate. I bought a watermelon once, and spat the seeds in the back yard. They grew into another watermelon,
    4. Re:Carmack Not Onboard? by Nimey · · Score: 1

      I dunno, did people actually enjoy Doom 3?

      --
      Hail Eris, full of mischief...

      E pluribus sanguinem
    5. Re:Carmack Not Onboard? by Seumas · · Score: 0

      Having played both Doom and Team Fortress 2, I'd have to say both were about equally as bad.

    6. Re:Carmack Not Onboard? by noh8rz10 · · Score: 2

      my guess? doom 3 was an anti-loss leader... get people excited about an old product, then BOOM free upgrade to new product!

    7. Re:Carmack Not Onboard? by Zencyde · · Score: 2

      That was Quakecon, I tried the Oculus Rift, it was fucking awesome. I'm shocked by this news. But in all honesty, the demo was very incomplete. There most not have been a lot of development done yet. Also, get one. While there are potential designs that will exceed the fisheye mechanic that they're using, it's absurd how good this is for the price.

      --
      What day is it? Could you please tell me?
    8. Re:Carmack Not Onboard? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      Well, yeah. Doom is awesome and TF2 is awesome. So, obviously equally bad. He was asking about Doom 3, though.

    9. Re:Carmack Not Onboard? by Joce640k · · Score: 2

      Doom 2 was good. Doom 3? Not so much.

      (Not unless your definition of a 'game' is just walking around looking at the detail in the graphics.)

      --
      No sig today...
    10. Re:Carmack Not Onboard? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Also, it's a non-driver solution. I highly doubt there will be many games supporting the oculus rift.

      My guess is that given one or two years the oculus has vanished from the tech radar.

    11. Re:Carmack Not Onboard? by crabel · · Score: 1

      They state in their blogpost from Saturday: "Assuming you’re in the first batch of development kits to ship out, the next 24 hours are your absolute last chance to update your shipping address." It is reasonable to assume that shipping starts/started this week. Personally I wouldn't have been surprised if shipping had been delayed till April or so. Sure, there timeline said March, but I have seen countless projects that were delayed a few weeks.

    12. Re:Carmack Not Onboard? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      It was being demoed to media people at E3 2012, too.

    13. Re:Carmack Not Onboard? by 0123456 · · Score: 3, Funny

      (Not unless your definition of a 'game' is just walking around looking at the detail in the graphics.)

      Yeah, Doom 3 has an extremely detailed black screen. I'd take $25 to not own it.

    14. Re:Carmack Not Onboard? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      probably more like he didn't want to fuck about with what is now a 8 year old game, and decided to put his energy into occulus on doom 4.

    15. Re:Carmack Not Onboard? by EdZ · · Score: 2

      Carmack is on board, but he's busy on ID 5. The code written for Doom 3 was written before the Oculus Rift even had a name (back when it was Palmer's solitary prototype), and was written for a device using a different LCD and more importantly an entirely different tracker. The code, as was released with Doom 3 BFG's source release, will not work on the release-version Oculus Rift devkit.
      There is nothing to stop someone modifying the source to receive data from the new tracker, render at the wider FoV, and perform the new pre-warp. The only reason that it is not being done officially is because the only reason it was ever included in BFG at all was because the code was already written and free to include.

  2. That's ok by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    You can simulate doom 3 with a couple of black eye patches

    1. Re:That's ok by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

      You can simulate SimCity with a couple of black eyes.

    2. Re:That's ok by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      +1, Insightful

      Captcha: seminal

  3. It's a VR helmet. by newcastlejon · · Score: 5, Informative

    Just in case anyone else was wondering.

    --
    If God forks the Universe every time you roll a die, he'd better have a damned good memory.
    1. Re:It's a VR helmet. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Flamebait

      Thanks, but I figured that out with google. Anyone who's used the internet for longer than a week figured out how to do that one.

    2. Re:It's a VR helmet. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      As of late on Slashdot, failing to explain the obvious or things that could be resolved with a couple seconds with Google is grounds for extensive whining and bitching about how the article is somehow incomplete.

    3. Re:It's a VR helmet. by Nyder · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Thanks, but I figured that out with google. Anyone who's used the internet for longer than a week figured out how to do that one.

      You would think so, but as I've noticed in the last decade of playing MMORPG's, that most people are too lazy google anything and would rather have you tell them.

      --
      Be seeing you...
    4. Re:It's a VR helmet. by rta · · Score: 3, Insightful

      Thanks.

      I was on the verge of googling it, but then i thought, "eh, i don't care enough, but maybe someone will describe it in the comments."

    5. Re:It's a VR helmet. by Elwood+P+Dowd · · Score: 1

      And it's the launch of the Dev Kit, not the launch of a consumer product. I thought the whole point is that it wouldn't have support for any games at all when the dev kits first shipped.

      --

      There are no trails. There are no trees out here.
    6. Re:It's a VR helmet. by Dasuraga · · Score: 1

      but it would have taken 5 words to introduce the concept. We don't have to deal with context switching just because the article writer cba to give a terse explanation for a very domain-specific item.

    7. Re:It's a VR helmet. by philmarcracken · · Score: 1

      Indeed. My friends are always trying to find little things like this that are my 'saviour'(i have severe right shoulder bursitis, can't grip and move things without pain).

      I've tried evolent vertical 4 with no success. Everything else i've seen is either wireless and garbage or is unsuitable for gaming.

      If they happen to make a simple pad and a special glove that works with that pad, maybe... but my gaming days appear to be over.

    8. Re:It's a VR helmet. by hedwards · · Score: 1

      Well, it's not a couple seconds, it's a couple seconds per person and in some cases that adds up to a rather large number.

    9. Re:It's a VR helmet. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      because being helpful is lame. /sigh

    10. Re:It's a VR helmet. by skine · · Score: 0

      There is also the option of reading TFA.

      But all joking aside...

    11. Re:It's a VR helmet. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      because being helpful is lame. /sigh

      Don't forget that reading quest texts and background stories is even more lame in a RPG.

    12. Re:It's a VR helmet. by AvitarX · · Score: 1

      As is reading superfluous words in the summary, and they take up space.

      by the end of the summary it was obvious that it was that low priced vr thing on kickstarter that's been mentioned before.

      --
      Wow, sent an e-mail as suggested when clicking on "use classic" banner, and got a fast response that addressed my msg
    13. Re:It's a VR helmet. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Considering that they don't actually bother to edit the summary, adding a link to the project is hardly unreasonable.

  4. Sweet! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Speaking as someone with more than 800 hours clocked on TF2, I'm pretty stoked. Especially now the native Linux version is out. I hope the Oculus Rift works with the Linux version.
    TF2 has caused more disruption to my productivity than any other game, and I was planning on cutting back, but I'll be able to justify to myself testing the Oculus Rift out with it.
    Damn you Oculus Rift!

  5. But... but... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    How will I see my TF2 hats?

  6. Does that mean the OR has Linux support? by SirTicksAlot · · Score: 1

    If so, sign me up, cause I ain't going back to the dark side. Nope.

  7. Is it really as chunky as the pictures suggest? by McFadden · · Score: 1

    I admit I'm not that familiar with this project, but is it really as massive as the pictures suggest? Surely they could have produced something less bulky given the state of play with displays etc. these days. I mean I'm not suggesting it would look like Google Glass, but perhaps a the size of a pair of ski goggles... Or is this just the dev kit?

    1. Re:Is it really as chunky as the pictures suggest? by liamevo · · Score: 1

      Pics in the article are of the dev kit.

    2. Re:Is it really as chunky as the pictures suggest? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      1. It is that large, but much lighter than it looks, as the inside is mostly air.
      2. This is just the dev kit. With low volume production and a relatively low development budget Oculus couldn't source the display they really wanted. The consumer version, with a bigger budget and higher volume, should get a smaller, lighter, and much higher resolution display, especially considering the advances in small phone LCDs in just the last couple of years.

    3. Re:Is it really as chunky as the pictures suggest? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      It is the dev kit, but at least from Ars coverage, the bulk belies how light the thing is. As long as it's not giving me neck strain, I'm not too worried how it looks on the outside.

      Something that hugs your face too tightly might get uncomfortable after a bit, and I'd prefer it larger if it keeps external light mostly out.

    4. Re:Is it really as chunky as the pictures suggest? by Zerth · · Score: 2

      This is the dev kit, off the shelf hardware, 7 ounces, a little bit larger than a pair of ski goggles. But it will probably stay about the size of ski goggles, though, as Oculus wants to keep the low price point and the large field of view without needing two displays(synch & latency) or complex optics($$$).

      The size difference is kind of the point, as they are made for different purposes. The Rift is intended be as large as possible, while .5" screen on Glass is supposed to stay out of your line of sight.

    5. Re:Is it really as chunky as the pictures suggest? by Krneki · · Score: 1

      It has the best hardware for gaming of all the VR sets. and even if it is bulky it still needs improvements. Sadly all those components that makes it bulky are needed.

      Luckily technology is evolving fast and probably in 1 year when the consumer version comes out everything will be in place. Google glass as fancy as it looks is nowhere near to deliver proper gaming VR experience.

      --
      Love many, trust a few, do harm to none.
  8. Doom 3 BFG will be supporting the Rift by Krashed · · Score: 5, Informative

    As John Carmack supports the open-source community, he released the source code (not the game assets) into the wild as an open source project. I myself have downloaded, compiled, and played the game using this code and it works well. There is even integrated support for the original version of the Rift inside. While he was unable to release all of the code for the game due to patent issues (lookup Carmack's Reverse), the game is completely playable on homemade Rift units at this time. Once Oculus releases the offical SDK for the Rift, it will be a short time before I or another member of the open-source community takes care of the problem. Just lookup a fork on GitHub called Doom-3-BFG-VR and I will be there doing anything I can to help.
    Please, to anyone planning on playing Doom 3 like this, purchase the game and copy the assets rather than finding nefarious ways of finding them. Support awesomeness such as id Software and its remaining founder.
    --
    Big shout out to John Carmack for the foresight to allow gamers the ability to again enjoy a game which is otherwise, past its prime. For the record, Quake 3 has also been released as well so expect to see MANY mods for both franchises very shortly and again, thank you Mr. Carmack.

    1. Re:Doom 3 BFG will be supporting the Rift by ikaruga · · Score: 1

      Sorry for hijacking your comment, but since we are on the open-source topic, is the Oculus API/SDK open?
      I don't mean open-source(although that is a plus). I'm sure anyone can use it and but can anyone make a compatible API that is compatible with code originally designed for the Rift?

      If the Rift is actually successful, it's a given that other companies will make similar products(Plus while the Rift is interesting, I want some competition, as it's far from my ideal). It'll be really sad if devs have to write code for each device on the market. Ideally, with the success of the Rift, there will be a initiative for a standard.

    2. Re:Doom 3 BFG will be supporting the Rift by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      It will be when it gets finished.

    3. Re:Doom 3 BFG will be supporting the Rift by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Hasn't Bethesda bought them? The old Id is over. I doubt there will be any more source code releases.

  9. Re:this VR helmet will work! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    And! it looks identical to the set I had in 1997, except its not using 320x240 passive matrix camcorder LCD's and cost more than the 149 bucks I paid at the computer show.

  10. Re:this VR helmet will work! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    And what's the latency on your set?

  11. Re:this VR helmet will work! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    My laptop is the same. Looks a lot like my old one. Maybe a bit more resolution but it looks the same so...can't really be all that different, right?

  12. it's called editing by dutchwhizzman · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Just because you can cram more insider acronyms and names in a sentence it doesn't make it more informative or better readable than just using plain English. Think of your target audience. People that know every name and acronym in this summary will most likely have read this news well before it ever made the Slashdot front page. This means that your target audience will be those that not yet know about the existence of this device.

    You could easily write something like this and actually inform people without the majority going TL;DR on you:

    "Gaming web sites Neoseeker and the Verge are reporting that the community funded VR helmet Oculus Rift will no longer have support for the game Doom 3 BFG when the first units are shipped. In some good news to offset the bad, Valve will be releasing an Oculus ready version of Team Fortress 2 when the early edition of the Oculus Rift for developers ships. For those backers who are upset about not having Doom 3 BFG edition support on launch of the Oculus Rift, they are offering the following options: '$20 Steam Wallet credit ... $25 Oculus Store credit ... or a a full refund for your pledge.'"

    That took all of 5 minutes to edit and every nub and their mum will more or less gather what it's about. That's the difference between an article with hardly any news worthiness and something that might draw the interest of most people reading the summary. As a writer, which one would you prefer?

    --
    I was promised a flying car. Where is my flying car?
    1. Re:it's called editing by kramulous · · Score: 1

      Shame your comment is going unmodded. Points for polite, level headed, response.

      Personally, I don't care if I'm not getting a game with it. I'm using linux anyway and will be pointing this device at 10's of petabytes of real 3D data. I'll be too busy to play games.

      Still cannot wait.

      --
      .
  13. Re:Doom 3 BFG not so B by wonkey_monkey · · Score: 4, Funny

    Good guys, bad guys, didn't matter, everyone respawns.

    Is that Buddhism or Hinduism?

    --
    systemd is Roko's Basilisk.
  14. Writting Is Teh Hard? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I was on the verge of googling it, but then i thought, "eh, i don't care enough, but maybe someone will describe it in the comments."

    This is the issue. If the writer doesn't care enough to write properly and explain things, like what a completely arbitrary and obscure name is, then I really don't care enough to bother reading his tripe.

  15. "As of late"? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    You must be VERY new here. Next you'll be mentioning Slashdot's "editor" staff, which has never actually existed.

  16. Re:this VR helmet will work! by Thud457 · · Score: 1

    Don't forget the worst side-effect, it slowly makes you look like Forest Whitaker in "Battlefield Earth".

    --

    the preceding comment is my own and in no way reflects the opinion of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

  17. Misleading story/title by ildon · · Score: 1

    It's not "losing Doom 3 BFG support," it just won't be ready at release, and therefore can't be included in the initial package sent out with dev kits.

  18. VR Helmets... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    As someone who worked extensively with VR HMD's (Head mounted displays) and various tracking devices through the 90's (including owning and operating a network gaming center with VR equipment), I can say that in my experience the best HMD I used was a NON-stereo device which used a single high rez (at the time) LCD display. The helmet also had a six axis tracker which had software that emulated mouse movements, so the thing worked with ANY FPS type game. Doom/Quake/Wolfenstein (!) all were great fun, and the experience was quite "immersive" once you realized how to use the HMD properly-- many people, when putting on the HMD, stand there with their head tilted at an awkward angle while playing. I would instruct people to move their entire bodies around as if actually walking around in a 3D space-- i.e. you come to a corner in the game, lean over and "peek" around the edge to see what's there.... it worked... I think the Oculus product is probably great, but if it has some "proprietary" system which doesn't allow off-the-shelf games to work with it without modification, they're most likely gonna have issues selling the thing... sure, a game with added 3D support is fine, but it needs to work with games that don't have that support as well.

  19. Re:Strap a tablet to your head... by NoSleepDemon · · Score: 1

    Darn! The one time a Slashdot article could benefit from the wisdom of a good Chiropractor!

  20. Re:Doom 3 BFG not so B by HeckRuler · · Score: 1

    Buddhism. Everyone comes back in a free-for-all deathfest and only the truly enlightened manage to step away from the keyboard.

    It'd be Hinduism if it were TF2. You come back, but on the same team and generally in the same role.

  21. If I Have To Install Steam by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    To play with an Oculus Rift, I'll just lie down on the fucking tracks.

  22. Re:Doom 3 BFG not so B by Sigg3.net · · Score: 1

    The truly enlightened turns to blast the camper before the visual cortex has an input to react to. Then he leaves the room with great satisfaction.