How do you feel about motion controls and VR in general...?

[Ice That Jaw]

Just bought the Oculus Rift 2 days so hopefully I can let you know soon. I still don't have it hooked up so right now my answer fuck VR. I've never had this many issues at one time. The headset just wouldn't get recognized so I brokedown and tried to upgrade to Windows 10 from 7. That literally took all fucking night (after getting several BSOD screens ). I mean, I left the PC on last night and when I woke up, it was still at 99%!!! My internet is 8MBs so WTF Microsoft?

But thankfully, the Windows 10 setup screen is finally up. I'm not doing jack shit today but setting up the Oculus. I had so much time dicking around last night that I even ghetto rigged the headset to make it more comortable. It looks so stupid now but man, the headstraps are not comfortable and I haven't even used it in an actual gaming session yet. lol

Spoiler

 

[Ice That Jaw]

While I'm a fan of the technology used to create it, it is not something that appeals to me. When I play video games, I kind of just want to sit there. The VR headset is cool though. Especially for flight simulators.

Just an FYI, the Oculus is made for sitting and looking. It's the Vive that requires a 15 x 15 foot space and has many games that require you to stand. I feel the same way, which I why it was no brainer which I would choose when I was finally ready to put up the cash.

Here's an interesting article explaining why walking around isn't likely to be popular even with the VIVE.
http://gizmodo.com/oculus-founders-explain-why-youll-likely-stay-seated-in-1713781989

That said, I still haven't spent any serious time with the Oculus yet. Tried one in a store and read dozens and dozens of in-depth reviews but the configuration is killing me!

 

[Ice That Jaw]

UPDATE

I finally got the Oculus Rift working after upgrading to Windows 10. <cheer>
Here are my initial thoughts:

- The screen door effect is extremely noticeable for me.
This is most likely increased for me because I am typing on a 40in 4K monitor that I do most of my gaming on. I think VR headset will need something like 16K resolution to match the quality you see on a 4K monitor (28-40in). Still, I can see gridlines and it's a bit distracting at times when shit isn't action packed.

- The colors and viewing angles aren't too great
Again, this is more noticeable to me because I am used to a calibrated plasma and VA monitor panels.

+ The 3D is very impressive
Even when you play 3rd person games, if you move the character towards the screen, it feels like it's coming right at you.

+ The head tracking is cool as fuck
This is really the bread and butter of VR (I'm assuming). Being able to look down at your feet and up and around is really something else

+/- The headset isn't the most comfortable.
After rigging it and adding extra foam padding to the straps, it very comfortable on my head but it's not quite as comfortable on my face. I also tend to get a bit sweaty, even with the fan on. It doesn't help that it's currently 102 degrees out.

 

[dAfTiE]

UPDATE

I finally got the Oculus Rift working after upgrading to Windows 10. <cheer>
Here are my initial thoughts:

- The screen door effect is extremely noticeable for me.
This is most likely increased for me because I am typing on a 40in 4K monitor that I do most of my gaming on. I think VR headset will need something like 16K resolution to match the quality you see on a 4K monitor (28-40in). Still, I can see gridlines and it's a bit distracting at times when shit isn't action packed.

- The colors and viewing angles aren't too great
Again, this is more noticeable to me because I am used to a calibrated plasma and VA monitor panels.

+ The 3D is very impressive
Even when you play 3rd person games, if you move the character towards the screen, it feels like it's coming right at you.

+ The head tracking is cool as fuck
This is really the bread and butter of VR (I'm assuming). Being able to look down at your feet and up and around is really something else

+/- The headset isn't the most comfortable.
After rigging it and adding extra foam padding to the straps, it very comfortable on my head but it's not quite as comfortable on my face. I also tend to get a bit sweaty, even with the fan on. It doesn't help that it's currently 102 degrees out.

If it's that hot, consider getting some VR Covers. I have some cloth ones and some of the waterproof ones for demoing the vive to people.
Being able to remove the cover and wash it will save you a fair few foam replacements over time.

 

[The Big Bang]

UPDATE

I finally got the Oculus Rift working after upgrading to Windows 10. <cheer>
Here are my initial thoughts:

- The screen door effect is extremely noticeable for me.
This is most likely increased for me because I am typing on a 40in 4K monitor that I do most of my gaming on. I think VR headset will need something like 16K resolution to match the quality you see on a 4K monitor (28-40in). Still, I can see gridlines and it's a bit distracting at times when shit isn't action packed.

- The colors and viewing angles aren't too great
Again, this is more noticeable to me because I am used to a calibrated plasma and VA monitor panels.

+ The 3D is very impressive
Even when you play 3rd person games, if you move the character towards the screen, it feels like it's coming right at you.

+ The head tracking is cool as fuck
This is really the bread and butter of VR (I'm assuming). Being able to look down at your feet and up and around is really something else

+/- The headset isn't the most comfortable.
After rigging it and adding extra foam padding to the straps, it very comfortable on my head but it's not quite as comfortable on my face. I also tend to get a bit sweaty, even with the fan on. It doesn't help that it's currently 102 degrees out.

Thanks for the update!

First hand accounts are awesome.

 

[Ice That Jaw]

If it's that hot, consider getting some VR Covers. I have some cloth ones and some of the waterproof ones for demoing the vive to people.
Being able to remove the cover and wash it will save you a fair few foam replacements over time.

Yea, I actually ordered those exact covers before I even got the Oculus. I had read reviews about the face covers not being the greatest so I was proactive in that regard. Too bad they are on back order though. I probably wont get them for 3 weeks.

 

[dAfTiE]

Yea, I actually ordered those exact covers before I even got the Oculus. I had read reviews about the face covers not being the greatest so I was proactive in that regard. Too bad they are on back order though. I probably wont get them for 3 weeks.

I ordered mine around the same time I ordered my vive at feb 29 and they took forever to get here. Worth it though, especially in this heat.
Also got a bunch of alcohol wipes off ebay to wipe the thing off so I can have people try it without spreading pinkeye all over like oculus did at pax a few years back.

 

[Ice That Jaw]

Lol, good idea about the wipes. So far only me and my older brother have tried it.

I must say though, the overall image quality is quite poor. The 3D and head tracking makes up for it in many regards but text and just plain everything is blurry and pixelated compared to my 4K monitor. That said, there is some serious fucking potential here. If in 5 years they can have OLED screens that are 4K each eye with viewing angles as good as the last plasmas, and lighter headsets, VR will be a serious lunchbox experience.

 

[Eazy123]

Total fad. About 21 years ago my aunt and uncle took me to Navy Pier to do this VR shit. It's still as crappy now but you can experience it in your own home. Whoopdeedoo

 

[dAfTiE]

I only notice the screen door effect when trying to read text. It's never really bothered me in any game made for VR. Mainly notice it in Euro truck sim trying to read signs and interface stuff.

 

[Ice That Jaw]

Total fad. About 21 years ago my aunt and uncle took me to Navy Pier to do this VR shit. It's still as crappy now but you can experience it in your own home. Whoopdeedoo

I disagree. It's pretty damn close.

Yes, the overall video quality is pure shit if you have a nice 1440p or 4K monitor. There is no comparison really. However, once they are able to make 4K for each eye, the quality will look as good as a nice 1080p monitor from a distance. Couple that with larger lenses (aka larger FOV) and VR is going to literally transport you to worlds. I already feel like I'm almost there but the screen door effect and mediocre FOV (I can see where the outside of the lens is and the nose cutout lets in a lot of light/view (I can easily grab a drink or even type something on the keyboard just by tilting my head up) bring me back to reality.

Once those issues are resolved, it will be insane.

 

[bdreason]

Not a fan of motion controllers. I'd rather just do the real thing.

Never tried VR, but again, at some point, I'd probably rather just do the real thing.

I did own a race simulator for a few years, so I think there are legitimate VR possibilities there... but that's because I will never be able to actually race a Formula 1 car.

 

[Ice That Jaw]

Not a fan of motion controllers. I'd rather just do the real thing.

Never tried VR, but again, at some point, I'd probably rather just do the real thing.

I did own a race simulator for a few years, so I think there are legitimate VR possibilities there... but that's because I will never be able to actually race a Formula 1 car.

Do the real thing? Are you serious?

Since when can you "do the real thing" in even 20% of video games on the current market? Even trivial examples like car games, when can you just race supercars in real life? What exactky are you referring to? It sounds like you play Goat or Bus Simulator too much. Those are the few games where you can actually "do them in real life".

 

[bdreason]

Do the real thing? Are you serious?

Since when can you "do the real thing" in even 20% of video games on the current market? Even trivial examples like car games, when can you just race supercars in real life? What exactky are you referring to? It sounds like you play Goat or Bus Simulator too much. Those are the few games where you can actually "do them in real life".

I'm referring to the motion games that mimick hobbies or sports, which seems like a popular implementation of the technology. I have friends who loved playing the bowling game on wii, and while it seemed like a fun game, I always wondered why they didn't just go bowling.

 

[Ice That Jaw]

OK, I got ya. I assumed you were referring to VR games which are essentially the same as regular 3D games, just literally 3D.

 

[Plissken]

Motion controls done right are great, I'll assume VR is the same. The Vive's motion controls seem to try to create a simulation more than many Wii games, and they are more advanced than the initial Wiimote and nunchuck or even the heavily underutilized Motion Plus, and of course the Move, PS Camera, and Kinect (of course for that price they better be).

 

[deviake]

I've had fun with motion control games, haven't tried VR. They seem to be a novelty to me at this point, but I'm glad they're being developed, and I'm sure they'll be much cooler and more broadly appealing in the future after much refinement.

 

[dAfTiE]

Motion controls done right are great, I'll assume VR is the same. The Vive's motion controls seem to try to create a simulation more than many Wii games, and they are more advanced than the initial Wiimote and nunchuck or even the heavily underutilized Motion Plus, and of course the Move, PS Camera, and Kinect (of course for that price they better be).

Yeah, the level of precision with the vive tech puts the motion plus and move controllers to shame. Not to mention, you're in the world, so they actually feel like your hands when it's done well. It's pretty crazy.
And I've never had the kinect function well, barely reaching leap motion levels at peak. Awful control mechanism.

 

[Total Immortal]

Generally I don't care for motion controls, but sometimes they are enjoyable. I do like Wii bowling and Wii golf, and although I rarely if ever used them, the motion controls for aiming in Splatoon were very well received. Call me old school but I'll always prefer playing with a regular controller.

And to me VR is fuckin dumb and I don't see the appeal.