I couldn't attend yesterday's GDC presentation by lead developers of the Oculus Rift VR headset, “Running the VR Gauntlet – VR Ready, Are You?”, but a friend who did told me an interesting point came up during the talk: Oculus Product VP Nate Mitchell discussed the range of applications VR will be used in, first citing a violent multiplayer action game like Battlefield, then noting that there's a huge opportunity to integrate VR in a non-violent online world experience like Second Life.
I hope to follow up with the Oculus guys more on this point, but it's noteworthy that they're apparently interested in integrating their device with Second Life. I suspect this means their full developer SDK will play nicely with SL, and we're much likelier to see SL integration with Oculus sooner rather than later.
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I'd say this will limit people to voice chat only, except for particularly good touch-typers.
Posted by: Squeebee | Thursday, March 28, 2013 at 03:26 PM
I can type blind. Bring on the immersive VR!
Posted by: Arcadia Codesmith | Thursday, March 28, 2013 at 08:34 PM
Couple it with a Leap Motion gesture controller and ability to grab objects in the 3D space. Yummm
Posted by: Connie Arida | Thursday, March 28, 2013 at 09:32 PM
I have astigmatism. I somehow doubt it will work for people with that problem.
Posted by: Wolf Baginski | Friday, March 29, 2013 at 07:17 AM
The FAQ addresses wearing glasses with the headset. I don't see why it wouldn't work with any standard prescription for astigmatism.
Posted by: Arcadia Codesmith | Saturday, March 30, 2013 at 08:17 PM
I have always wanted something like this for SL. I see a lot of very cool builds in SL and I want to see what its like with Oculus Rift!
Posted by: Sparkaphat Doobie | Sunday, March 31, 2013 at 04:23 PM
Wolf Baginski, I have heard that they are working on interchangeable lenses for people with eye problems. Someone even suggested some kind of adjustable oil-filled lens that they now make.
You would be able to wear it just as if you had no eye trouble. It would be super cool if they have this ready by the time the consumer version ships!
Posted by: Sparkaphat Doobie | Sunday, March 31, 2013 at 04:26 PM
here is an announcement from a company making adult games that they will support the Rift:
http://www.somasex.com/index.php/j-stuff/latest-news
Posted by: Alan Watts | Tuesday, April 02, 2013 at 10:12 AM