The final version of the Oculus Rift (Oculus VR) was finally revealed. The virtual reality device is set to hit the shelves soon – and in your face.
An entire economy, the virtual reality economy, is behind the Oculus Rift. Digi-Capital estimates that virtual reality will be a $150 billion market by 2020. The potential is so great that Facebook bought Oculus last year for $2 billion.
The Oculus introduced today the consumer device and stated that it has a very low latency interaction state and a wide field of view, with integrated sound system and advanced ergonimics. It is designed to make you feel that you are immersed in a virtual world, said Brendan Iribe, the CEO of Oculus.
He also announced that the device will come with an Xbox One controller as well as an adapter.
The final version of the Oculus Rift will include an Xbox One controller and a wireless adapter. Brendan Iribe of Oculus told the media in a press conference in San Francisco that the company considered the idea of collaborating with Microsoft very good, at least initially, until it develops its own gamepad.
This, of course, can be considered a huge win for Microsoft, which has already had considerable success with the Xbox 360 controller, and is looking ahead to a VR platform on Windows.
Oculus will develop its own games and virtual reality applications. The company is said to start funding independent game developers through game jams and big prizes.
The company announced that it is working on its own controllers, which have been designed to introduce a new way of navigating the world around us.
The name for the Oculus Rift controller is Halfmoon and includes two buttons and analog sticks.
Players can issue commands via a thumbstick, two programmable buttons, an analog trigger and a hand trigger.
It appears that Halfmoon can be used simultaneously and as a traditional controller.
The new special controller is not known whether it will be released on the same date as the Oculus Rift (in the first quarter of 2016) or if gamers will have to wait a few more months.
Oculus announced that it is collaborating with Insomniac Games in order to develop a new title that will use all the unique elements of virtual reality. The game will most likely be released simultaneously with the device.
A response is naturally expected from the rival companies that are lurking: Valve and HTC with the Open Source Virtual Reality group Razer. Sony with Project Morpheus and Microsoft with the new project HoloLens.
