Oculus Rift Could Change The World

nexusae0_oculus-rift-dev-kit-2

Gaming is continuously adapting and changing. While Microsoft and Sony

innovated the console market with their next-gen releases, online game

providers such as Rational Group were turning their focus towards the ever- expanding mobile market. Valve vowed to bring the online platform into our living rooms with SteamOS, and a whole range of controllers and gadgets,

from the SteelSeries to the Leap Motion Controller, were shaking up the way we play.

 

Meanwhile, a little company called Oculus VR were casting out their nets to

reel in the white wale of gaming. The head-mounted Oculus Rift device has

pioneered the possibility of virtual reality and bought it out of the sci-fi dreams

and into the real world. The latest Crystal Cove prototype has made huge

strides towards commercial release, sporting a low-persistence OLED display

and motion trackers to reduce judder and motion blur, eradicating the issue of

stimulator sickness.

 

The incredible capabilities of the Crystal Cove have gotten potential

consumers very excited, while the recent launch of the Oculus Rift Dev Kit 2

(DK2) is pushing the boat out for the gaming crowd. Available on pre-order for

$350, the DK2 will allow developers to create ground-breaking games for the

Rift, making the gadget’s launch that one step closer.

 

“DK2 isn’t identical to the consumer Rift, but the fundamental building blocks

for great VR are there,” said the company in a statement. “All the content

developed using DK2 will work with the consumer Rift. And while the overall

experience still needs to improve before it’s consumer-ready, we’re getting

closer every day. DK2 is not the Holodeck yet, but it’s a major step in the right

direction.”

 

 

However, although the initial focus of the Rift is on the gaming community,

the implications of virtual reality technology stretch far further. In an interview

with PC Gamer, founder of Oculus VR Palmer Lucky said: “When VR is going

to be exciting is when it gets as good as real life at everything. And you start

to say, well, ‘Why would I travel on a business meeting across the world just

to go sit face-to-face with people, if we can just plug in Rifts and get all of the

same communication we could have gotten otherwise?”

 

In the meantime, the company is focusing on ironing out all the creases before

the Rift hits the shelves. “Virtual reality is going to continue to evolve rapidly in

the coming years. There’s no cutting corners or ‘good enough’ when it comes

to VR; the consumer Rift needs to be perfect and we’re dedicated to getting

it right. We’re moving as fast as possible and promise it’ll be worth the wait,”

stated Oculus.

 

“We truly believe virtual reality will change the world”.