Slashdot Mirror
Oculus Rift Is Now the Most Popular VR Headset On Steam (venturebeat.com)
The Oculus Rift has overtaken the HTC Vive on the monthly Steam hardware survey for the first time since the launch of both headsets in early 2016. VentureBeat reports: The survey is entirely optional and scans a user's PC for various hardware components, including any VR headsets that may be connected. After a few months of catching up to Vive, the Rift was neck-and-neck with its rival in January's survey with 0.9 percent between the two. However, February saw Oculus step past HTC; Rift took 47.31 percent of the total hardware use, and Vive fell to 45.38 percent, leaving just under 2 percent between them. It's still a tight race, then, but this is the first time Rift has managed to surpass Vive. Again, this is in no way confirmation that the Oculus Rift has sold more units than the HTC Vive, as neither headset has had official sales figures released, but it's the best shot we've got at gauging the market share right now. Rift also took the "Most Popular Headset" space in Steam's individual listings for the second time ever.
I own both. The rift is miles ahead of the uncomfortable and clunky vive.
I haven't followed the VR scene much, but is there actually a killer app for it yet? I know there were some impressive tech demos, but from what I've heard there aren't any games that offer a truly compelling VR experience to make buying now (as opposed to waiting for generation 2 or 3 hardware) for any reason beyond technology lust necessary.
Or perhaps "least unpopular"? I mean, how many people are using these devices?
Congrats! Give them a cookie! Now WHY BUY IT?
What about the games and things worth justifying the expense for?
Not tech demos.
They've really discounted the thing of late, plus their controllers are quite good (apparently). I wouldn't say the price is reasonable but it did drop in to a range that only partially wealthy enthusiasts could try.
I have just bought a Samsung Gear VR which has Oculus on the side for 10 of my local dollars.
I am pretty sure they're struggling to give them away.
You said Killer App, and not Killer Game.
My Killer App is Bigscreen. Best of all, it is free.
Yes, Rift Core 2.0 has desktop support, but in all honesty, it SUCKS!!! I am hoping it gets better in the future, but if you want to use your desktop Bigscreen is where it is at right now.
My main use for it is to use the computer at night without my kids being able to see the screen. This is so they can sleep, instead of getting the blue light from my monitors. Also watching YouTube on a big screen is really cool. I also managed to get 3D Blu-rays finally working.
Strangely enough, I mostly play GTA Online in my Rift. I did buy VorpX, but the performance is poor, and if you are in first person, I find the 3D wonky quite a bit, or I have to opt for poor 3D with poor performance. I more play it on a screen in Bigscreen. Again, so my kids can't watch me playing.
Microsoft, Apple, Google, Amazon what's the difference? All steal money from devs and control with walled gardens.
Take a look at Moss.
Also supposedly Resident Evil VR was really good but I've not tried it yet.
PSVR Has some pretty large amount of Sony backing so it's moving the industry forward even if consumers are a little slow to adopt.
"There is more worth loving than we have strength to love." - Brian Jay Stanley
It's not so much how many people use them but how many people buy them now. The latter determines if it's a passing fad.
Some drink at the fountain of knowledge. Others just gargle.
Gearvr != Rift. I'm pretty sure you don't know what you are talking about.
I really recommend you get that milk player program and check out some VR porn, it's certainly an experience.
for $399 you get a very good headset, yes very good hand controllers with solid tracking if you face the 2 eyes, plus you get a fun game roborecall and if you are into art you get quill and medium. Medium itself is a very good voxel sculptor. I don't like being in VR but the last bit was enough to have me buy one and I don't regret it a bit.
I would say Subnautica is pretty close to a "must play" killer-app for VR. As in, the VR experience itself is incredibly compelling... swimming and piloting submersibles is a perfect fit for VR, and it's a gorgeous world to explore (and a fantastic game to boot).
Unfortunately the VR has quite a few rough edges when it comes to the UI. Hopefully they will fix these, as with a bit of polish I wouldn't hesitate to call Subnautica the first VR gaming masterpiece.
Elite Dangerous is also decent if you're into it, but it's certainly not for everyone.
"Mind, as manifested by the capacity to make choices, is to some extent present in every electron." -Freeman Dyson
And Grover is the toughest muppet...
with all the mining where the fudge are we supposed to get the video cards to run VR?
I wonder if people running a GearVR (or even cheap cardboard), and running a VR tool such as Vridge/Riftcat come up as in those STEAM tech specs, and if it's enough to skew the results? You may laugh, but GearVR is the gateway drug that will push VR forward. Don't think it's just a cheap "Cardboard" knock-off. It's got oculus positional electronics in it, and coupled with a new Galaxy/Note, you actually get a HIGHER resolution than an HTC Vive or Rift. Sure, it's missing positional head-tracking and room-scale, and only 60fps, and not 90fps .. and is a bit technical to set up with vRidge and some webcams, but for close to $nothing$ you can get quite an immersive experience. (Vridge allows HTC Vive / oculous shimming through GearVR)
If you're a nerd and own a Galaxy8 or note8 - go get a GearVR, download vridge, dust off a couple of old ps3 move controllers, and you've got a cheap Vive/rift roomscale VR system.
I have just bought a Samsung Gear VR which has Oculus on the side for 10 of my local dollars.
I am pretty sure they're struggling to give them away.
Isn't the Gear VR one of those where you strap a cellphone to your face?
That isn't a real VR headset.
The last line gives you the reason, ' "Most Popular Headset" space in Steam's individual listings for the second time ever'. All the Game Engines directly support the Rift with Steam integration. More developers are producing for the Rift, that's it.
Is there an open-source-style project out there to build a Vive/Oculus/etc-compatible VR headset for a lot cheaper?
#DeleteFacebook
How about some numbers?
If I tell you that 50% of our secretaries are pregnant, doesn't tell you that there only 2 of them.
Before you dismiss it, I'd encourage you to just give it a shot. It is absolutely first gen technology, and the resolution isn't where it needs to be, but the feeling of "presence" you get strapping on a Vive headset/controllers is a completely unique experience. There are some of really fun games, like Raw Data or The Gallery: Call of the Starseed, or the Rec Room mini-games are amazing, epsecially with friends.
If this isn't something you're really excited about, wait for gen 2 before buying, unless you just have a lot of income. But seriously, just don't dismiss it out right, give it a shot and decide what you think. Personally I've got an HTC Vive and it's been incredible. I cannot wait for the next generation.
Steam? People still use that pile of shit?
Steam powered games have a richer, deeper, warmer quality to them that transistor powered games just lack. I recommend using only Monster brand logs for your steam engine, unless you are one of those losers who can't afford real quality.
Don't feed the trolls.
Unless you're more clever than the average surface dweller bear and can handle yourself on the internets. Please accept this IOU mod written on a donut-smudged napkin.