Virtual reality is all about fantasy, a great storytelling technique with advanced technology.
Palmer Luckey founder of Oculus VR, started this current virtual reality journey when around the beginning of 2010 when he created the first prototype of a VR headset which then evolve into the Oculus Rift. As he said once,
Why shouldn’t people be able to teleport wherever they want ?
Two years later, he launched a $250,000 Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign to commercialize it – and $2.4m of pledges later, the tech industry’s interest in VR was reborn. Two years after that, Facebook’s CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, liked the Rift so much he bought the company for $2bn.
VR Headset is key
Virtual reality is not possible with a headset, the one which a has pair of goggles that goes over our eyes. Some headsets need to be connected to a computer to run apps and games, while some cheaper ones use smartphones.
The good quality headset comes with a pair of hand controllers that translate your real-world gestures into whatever game or application you’re using and you can use although standard gaming joypads. Everything together helps you enhance your simulated experience
Standalone VR devices l have their own app stores, similar to smartphone play store, where you can browse and download games and apps.
Let’s see a list of high-end headsets.
Oculus Rift
Four years after its first crowdfunding campaign, the first commercial version of Oculus Rift launched in early 2016, sold initially from the Oculus VR website, and gradually made its way to retailers around the world. Until now, you needed a powerful PC to use the Oculus Rift. The minimum specs for an Oculus Ready PC are on the official website, with Dell, HP, Alienware, and Asus all offering VR-ready machines. Oculus VR has also launched bundles of Rift with a PC.
Price: INR 29,499, 32 GB version includes the headset with built-in headphones and mic.
You’ll also need: a powerful PC – check the recommended specs.
For Beginners: good starter for anyone who wants to explore facebook social media Virtual space.
10 Oculus Rift apps and games to try
Chronos: wonderful-looking role-playing game with plenty of depth
Minecraft VR: the blocky building game suits VR well
Elite: Dangerous: epic space game gets even more epic with a headset
Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes: clever multiplayer game – the headset wearer defuses a bomb while friends try to help
EVE: Valkyrie: this space dogfighter was made for VR, and it shows
The Climb: part game and part experience, this sees you climbing mountains around the world
Jaunt VR: a range of great made-for-VR videos, from documentaries to music
Henry: Oculus VR’s attempt at a Pixar-quality animated short film
Apollo 11 VR Experience: a clever historical app that sends you on the moon-landing mission
Within: a mix of bespoke fiction and nonfiction videos made for viewing in VR
HTC Vive
The HTC Vive is a partnership between Taiwanese tech firm HTC and the games company Valve. Valve added a dedicated VR category to its existing Steam digital games store, while HTC has just launched its Viveport site for non-gaming apps.
Vive is in direct competition with Oculus Rift, though several games and apps are available for both devices. Like the Rift, it requires a PC to run its software, and HTC helps buyers get the right kit by maintaining a list of Vive Ready computers, including partners Alienware, HP, and MSI.
The Vive has some unique features, including a front-facing camera which, in certain apps, can bring the real world into your virtual environments. You also get two hand-worn gestural controllers in the box, unlike the Rift, which partly explains the higher price.
The Vive also comes with a base station that tracks your movements, so within fairly tight limits you can walk around inside your VR space. This means a longer setup process, comparable to setting up a high-end home-audio system properly rather than just bunging your stereo on a shelf – but as more apps and games use the option, it could prove to be the Vive’s killer feature.
Price: INR 1,30,949 includes the headset, two wireless hand-controllers, two base stations and a link box to connect it to your computer.
You’ll also need: a powerful PC – check the recommended specs.
HTC Vive is Built to scale to the reality of your business. IT HAS Comfort and multiuser convenience. Also, SteamVR tracking enables you to create a tracked area where multiple people can work in VR.
10 HTC Vive apps and games to try
Job Simulator: big word-of-mouth hit; its 2050 setting simulates jobs taken over by robots
Elite: Dangerous: epic space game gets even more epic with a headset
Cosmic Trip: gripping “first-person real-time strategy” game about colonizing alien planets
The Brookhaven Experiment: survival-based horror game with plenty of monsters – and scares
Fantastic Contraption: originally a 2D machine-building puzzler, this works beautifully in 3D and VR
Tilt Brush: Google’s app is one of the early creative joys in VR: paint in the 3D space around you in a blur of neon
Jaunt VR: a great range of made-for-VR videos, from documentaries to music
Apollo 11 VR: the clever historical app that puts you in the moon landing mission
theBlu: if you enjoyed the BBC’s Blue Planet, this is a must for its glorious VR ocean life
AltspaceVR: an interesting attempt at social VR, updating the second life virtual world idea for current headsets
Samsung Gear VR
With Gear VR, we’re into the category of VR headsets that uses your smartphone as both the screen and processor. Samsung’s headset uses technology from Oculus VR. It is compatible with Galaxy Note9*, S9, S9+, Note8, S8, S8+, S7, S7 edge, Note5, S6 edge+, S6, S6 edge, A8 Star, A8, A8+
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-gnvQS2xhRg
For Samsung users, the Gear VR is a convenient way to explore virtual reality.
Price: INR 8,200 for the headset.Best for an audience who wants to dive into the VR world and explore games etc.
10 Gear VR apps and games to try
Land’s End: from the makers of Monument Valley, this is an eerie game of exploration
Minecraft: Gear VR: blocky building game suits VR well
Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes: clever multiplayer game – the headset wearer defuses a bomb while friends try to help
Smash Hit: inventive rhythm-puzzle game
Gunjack: sci-fi shooter that flings ships and bullets at you
NextVR: live sports and music in virtual reality
AltspaceVR: an interesting attempt at social VR, updating the second life virtual world idea for current headsets
The Economist VR: intriguing virtual tours from the digitally recreated Mosul Museum to Osaka’s secrets
Jaunt VR: a great range of made-for-VR videos, from documentaries to music
Within: bespoke fiction and nonfiction videos made for VR
Google Cardboard
Google Cardboard is a VR construct that allows users to block out external visual stimuli and focus on their device’s screen. Once you have it, you fold it into shape, pop your mobile device into it, cue up the VR-friendly app of your choice, and hold it up to your head to start your VR experience. As google says experience virtual reality in a simple,
fun and affordable way.
Great Google Cardboard apps and games to try
Cardboard: Google’s own collection of VR demos for Cardboard is a great place to start
Bohemian Rhapsody Experience: Google teamed up with Queen for this fun VR music video
NYT VR: the New York Times’ take on VR with video news reports
Star Wars: the film’s official app includes the story of Jakku Spy
YouTube: the standard YouTube app, but you can watch its 360 and VR videos come to life through Cardboard
InMind VR: clever medical arcade adventure lets you travel into a patient’s brain
6×9: the Guardian’s compelling exploration of the psychological damage caused by solitary confinement
So, what you waiting for “why shouldn’t you be able to teleport wherever you want? Create your VR experience with us today!
