Hey everyone with a VR headset! Are you really using it?
Hey everyone with a VR headset! Are you really using it?
I’m thinking about purchasing an Oculus Rift or an HTC Vive. My main concern isn’t whether I’ll actually use it, but rather if I’ll make the most of it. It feels like a great opportunity given the growing number of VR games, but I’m worried I might lose interest and switch back to traditional gaming. If I invest this amount, I want to get the most out of it.
I highly suggest choosing the Oculus over the Vive, both financially and in terms of controller ease. While the Vive’s lighthouse system provides marginally better tracking, the Oculus’s three-sensor setup performs impressively when you adhere to the guidance. I don’t rely on it as often, but the improvements the Rift has introduced have made it more practical, and I’m increasingly turning to it. As software and accessories improve, I expect my usage will grow even further.
I own a Vive and likely play it once a month during the weekend. To give you a clearer picture of my gaming habits, I probably play once a week since I'm not a dedicated gamer. The main reason I don't use it more often is that I need to set up the device and rearrange my space each time I play, as there isn't enough room to maintain it consistently. I also use it less because of a bit of laziness.
I own this device myself. For gaming, I probably use it about twice a month unless I'm entertaining others, in which case it gets used much more frequently (which is perfect). For other purposes, I rely on it almost every day since I spend a lot of time developing on it.
I once had a Vive, but I decided to part with it because I didn’t use it often enough to justify the price. I thought selling it would help me keep more of my money. I aimed to get a good deal, so I sold it for around 600 dollars. Since then, I’ve been considering a Rift since its price has risen and the controllers feel more modern. Still, I’ll likely wait for better deals or a Gen 2 model. Unless you’re willing to spend a lot, I see it as a bit risky. HTC and Oculus both aim to boost sales by lowering prices or launching new products, which depends heavily on game availability. I also owned a PSVR and sold it fast—it caused motion sickness for me, unlike the Vive. The PSVR’s resolution isn’t satisfying enough for my needs. Recently, I checked the PSVR library hoping for something worth investing in, but found nothing worth 400 dollars or more. One thing that bothers me is Skyrim VR was released at full price, even though I already owned the original titles. That’s not uncommon for consoles. I recall Skyrim and Bioshock 1/2 getting remastered for consoles, but on PC they were just updates. Sorry if this went off the topic.
During setup you have options for stationary or room-scale configurations. A 15x15ft area is recommended, as I remember. I managed to play games without issues, but sometimes encountered obstacles or felt the virtual limits were tighter with the headset on compared to when I initially defined the space by drawing it in the room. Although I believed my basement provided ample room, certain games made it feel cramped. I don’t dislike the experience overall, just sharing my genuine thoughts. Having a dedicated space is ideal—especially if you can set up a play area without rearranging items afterward. EDIT: If you're serious about testing, consider purchasing one and returning it within 30 days if it doesn’t fit your needs.
I agree, every time I host guests at my place it’s a hit—they enjoy trying it out. It really depends on the activity you’re doing. Several games or programs can be designed for a seated setup, so you won’t need much space as long as your chair fits and the sensors are placed appropriately. The room scale should be at least 6.5 feet by 5 feet, leaving enough open space for movement. A maximum size around 15x15 feet works well, though some people have successfully used larger setups without problems. If you’re using a VR headset, make sure the room scale is sufficient.