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AFTER BEING IN development since 2012, the virtual reality headset Oculus Rift is now a step closer to an official release.
The VR headset will start shipping at the beginning of next year with pre-orders for the device starting later this year. Until then, Oculus will continue selling the developer edition which is aimed at creators instead of consumers.
The team behind it promise that the release will deliver “on the dream of consumer VR with compelling content, a full ecosystem and a fully-integrated hardware/software tech stack designed specifically for virtual reality.” In short, it will have a collection of games and experiences ready for when the device is launched.
In the weeks ahead, we’ll be revealing the details around hardware, software, input, and many of our unannounced made-for-VR games and experiences coming to the Rift… Virtual reality is going to transform gaming, film, entertainment, communication, and much more.
Nate Mitchell / TwitterExtremely excited to announce that the Oculus Rift will be shipping Q1 2016! We can't wait to get it in your hands. pic.twitter.com/TVquKTQJjx
— Nate Mitchell (@natemitchell) May 6, 2015
At TechCrunch Disrupt earlier today, Oculus co-founder Nate Mitchell clarified that anyone interested in buying the device would need a PC for it to work, and would likely need a high-end version that could handle gaming.
Oculus Rift began life as a kickstarter project where it raised almost $2.5 million (€2.2 million) in 30 days. The company behind it was later purchased by Facebook for $2 billion in 2014.
The interest around the device has led to other companies developing their own similar devices.
Sony is developing its own VR headset Project Morpheus, which will also launch next year while Samsung teamed up with Oculus to release the Gear VR, which uses the Galaxy Note and S6 to power it.
HTC teamed up with Valve to create its own device, Vive, which is expected to launch later this year.
Microsoft has taken a different path with HoloLens, a headset device which will present holographic-like images in your living room and work environment.
Further details about the Rift will be revealed at the E3 gaming conference in June.
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Race is on for the virtual porn
Bukkake Simulator will be the first, I can’t see it selling well
Whoever wastes money funding that will end up with eggs all over their face.
Think that birds and bee’s book was missing a few pages. :)
I don’t think Bukkake is egg all over a face more likely the sperm
@manford yeah Mark Zuckerberg and Facebook had no clue what they were doing when they bought it…… like seriously what do they know about anything?
I am excite
The Countdown simulator will be of huge benefit to you!
“You’ll see what I see. Defile what I defile. Eat who I eat.”
Oh I thought the title said “This device rebooted itself in virtual reality” disappointed thought skynet had arrived :(
So, do we have a book on when the first idiot wearing this on the street gets hit by a bus?
A friend of mine has one, I nearly fell off my chair using it in a roller coaster program never mind crossing any street!
I’ve got the smack of a Wii controller a few times, I can see dual Rifting bring a hazard!
Anyone have an idea of how much it’ll cost?
A lot prob 500-1000 but maybe more
The development kit costs $350, so I’d imagine the final retail version will be close to that.
No way this lives up to the hype. The breathless puff pieces from tech media would have you believe that the holo-deck has arrived,it hasn’t.
Rise, Lord Vader…
I hope it fails miserably for them.
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