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Played the PSVR today... and it was awesome!


Clint Thompson

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...back in 1994 when Atari first announced that it was going to release the Jaguar VR, I couldn't wait but obviously it failed to launch. Today, my excitement in Virtual Reality has once again been fully revived. Sony has got this - we will finally be able to play Virtual Reality at home at an affordable price!

 

While it's a different feeling coming from Sony, it's still a really cool product and they've definitely done their homework with a realistic target price and package that many more consumers can afford than a gaming computer setup.

 

The headset is incredible - futuristic, lightweight and completely responsive. There was no noticeable lag and the unit functioned near flawlessly for me - the only hiccup or minor complaint I had is about the focus near the edge of the lenses but it's easily overlooked once you start really playing the game. Maybe they'll make modifications or changes before it's released yet, I don't know. You can't adjust the focus though, which seems like a drawback but otherwise it was great so maybe it's really not needed. The FOV is also amazing and much better than I was expecting and even better than what I remember with the Rift DK1 I played in Wisconsin a few years ago. You'll completely forget you're even wearing the thing about a minute in, it's that good.

 

I got to check out Battlezone and was kind of surprised to see the title on the PS4 actually but what really grabbed my attention was Rez Infinite and to learn that it's a VR title really makes my teeth sweat! =D Back to Battlezone, the game seemed simple for the most part and while you really didn't use the headset for more than anything but to look around - looking up to see the drones overhead to shoot with your machine gun or blast the tanks in front of you was stupidly fun.

 

Anyways, not to get carried away and drag this post out but in short summary, the PSVR has completely met my expectations and I'm sold on getting one! My last console being a 360 as I saw no real reason to get an Xbox One and while I've been interested in getting a PS4, wanted to wait until the PSVR comes out since I'm more of a PC gamer. Which may beg the question am I going to bother with a Rift? I plan on getting one just not currently and may actually get the PSVR before the Rift.

 

Can't wait to see all the cool things released for this headset!

Edited by Clint Thompson

7800 - 130XE - XEGS - Lynx - Jaguar - ISO: Atari Falcon030 | STBook |STe

 

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Sounds awesome.  Your recommendation makes me want one too.  Do you know what the pricing is going to be?

 

$399 if you already have the camera but the $499 package gets you the camera, 2 controllers for the hands, PS VR Worlds and the processor device for the headset to connect to the PS4.

7800 - 130XE - XEGS - Lynx - Jaguar - ISO: Atari Falcon030 | STBook |STe

 

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Big question then, take it headset was running on vanilla PS4 hardware and thus did you feel hardware was struggling?

 

Basically I'm curious as to how the VR will run, games wise on ordinary PS4 tech rather than NEO?

 

also, are you planning to upgrade to NEO at any point?

 

Yeah, it was running on your standard PS4 and it didn't seem like it was struggling at all but it shouldn't, since the resolution is cut in half per eye, 960x1020. Really unsure about the direction for NEO or as to why. I guess I'll check it out when I know more about it and around that time.

7800 - 130XE - XEGS - Lynx - Jaguar - ISO: Atari Falcon030 | STBook |STe

 

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NEO appears to of come about from DEVELOPERS saying to Sony, IF you want to do far more complex VR games to compete with Rift, Vive etc espically given rate at which PC Graphics card prices are dropping, we need MORE power and a firmware update on PS4 just aint gonna cut it.

 

So, rather than release a PS4 Slim akin to Xbox S, Sony used chance to putv together updated PS4 with faster chips etc using TODAYS PC tech (where as Scorpio, planned for release 18 months time, is currently just a list of future PC components MS wants in a future console).

 

 

Makes sense as even if VR isn't your bag, but you'd rather PS4 games ran at the 1080P/60 FPS you kinda expected them to do on Vanilla PS4 as Sony had promised, NEO should allow that.

 

If like myself, your more struggling to find a damn thing you like this generation and only games like Until Dawn, The Order, Infamous Second Son, floated yer boat and games like Xcom 2/Walking Dead season 3 your awaiting aren't going to be as demanding as say Uncharted 4 on hardware and you won't be holding your head in your hands wailing..ohh 1080P but only 30 FPS, why have thou forsaken me Sony?

 

 

You'll be happy to sit with existing tech, till you see how well Sony supports the VR headset, having owned a PSP, seen that stranded, watched the Vita suffocate from high memory card prices, lack of software...watched Eyetoy and Move do nothing of worth on PS3 etc.

 

 

 

Hey, even i find my lack of faith disturbing at times :)

 

...now that I have proper time to respond...

 

Yeah, I can't really see the absolute need to upgrade but at the same time could see the pressure from the PC market - but, this is just the nature of consoles. To say the PS4 isn't powerful enough to me seems completely untrue and consoles are still quite a ways off from pushing 4k anything so I'm not sure about this magical, incremental upgrade being the answer to anything. And unless Sony is going to pull a quick one over everyone last minute, the PSVR headset is still only a 1080p device.

 

I think people outside of Sony will step up to the plate and see the PSVR as a perfect platform to create unique console only VR games to make money from. I haven't exactly kept up with the MS side of things but I don't think MS is working on anything at all, right? Maybe they'll figure some way to have the Rift work for the Xbox One? I'm still really hoping that the PSVR quickly becomes cross-platform for both the PS4 and PC.

 

More thinking of this generations hardware vs. what the Jaguar was going to offer some 20 years ago:

 

No built-in mic and/or headphones. I guess it's not such a bad thing, not forcing gamers to use your included headphones and mic but the Jaguar VR was the complete package or total deal. Mic and headphones included so you didn't need any extra accessories. Though, again with today's endless amounts of mics and headphones or headsets, just like a keyboard or mouse setup, people have different tastes and desires. I already know the headset I'll be getting to use for the PSVR, permitting it'll work without a hitch and that's the Skullcandy Crushers.

 

I haven't really seen much of a blip about the concern or worries or ill-effects of disclaimers of what VR can or could do to you - outside of making you puke from motion sickness. You're not required to sign a death waiver to play VR today like the massive worry was some 20-years ago. Really makes me take a moment to reflect on how hilarious the Virtual Boy was from Nintendo as well and what the hell they were thinking exactly. Maybe others saw that if Atari couldn't pull it off with a brand like Virtuality, then who could? Combine that with the Virtual Boy and it just meant complete death for the idea of VR, at least for that time frame.

Edited by Clint Thompson

7800 - 130XE - XEGS - Lynx - Jaguar - ISO: Atari Falcon030 | STBook |STe

 

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This was an interesting read, Clint. Thanks for sharing your impressions. I've been watching the market in this gen and I'm just not sold. The PSVR looks intriguing but I worry that it will go the way of Move. I may jump in next Spring if the software support is there. For the time being I'm happy to stay retro and enjoy a semi-modern outing once in awhile on my PS3.

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As time is nearing for the release, I'm finding myself more and more anxious in hopes to being able to pick one of these up. So, the feeling or desire for this hasn't passed and it's been in the back of my mind for some time now. Not sure about a killer app for it and I'll certainly not be a Day 1 adopter but probably very soon or shortly thereafter I'll be picking up a new PS4 and PSVR - Just have to justify the entry cost, considering I don't currently have a PS4.

 

Anyone else planning on getting one now or have completely changed their minds? Resident Evil 7 seems like it'll be so much fun and I really hope that Alien Isolation gets the VR treatment!

7800 - 130XE - XEGS - Lynx - Jaguar - ISO: Atari Falcon030 | STBook |STe

 

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Nice interview. The screenshots definitely remind me that the display output resolution of a proper 1080 TV is far more giving than that of the PSVR headset. It's almost like two different games because I played the game within the PSVR without seeing the visuals on the TV but can tell you absolutely do end up missing out on a lot of the intricate details due to the headset. Not saying that's necessarily a bad thing because it was still very cool to play.

 

I also did not realize the IP for Battlezone from Atari is no longer theirs. I wonder if they plan on doing the same with many other titles or how that came about.

Edited by Clint Thompson

7800 - 130XE - XEGS - Lynx - Jaguar - ISO: Atari Falcon030 | STBook |STe

 

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http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2016-10-06-batman-arkham-vr-review

 

Not wishing to sound cynical, review sites aren't having to fork out for the VR set up and then another whack of cash for games lasting all of an hour though, are they?.

"If this is the future of PSVR - even with debatable running times - then sign me up. It's excellent."

 

Still sounds promising to me. I never expected to spend endless hours in PSVR and I don't think anyone really wants to push someone to stay inside the headset for hours on end. I remember when we were reading about how the Jaguar VR would have a 30-minute auto-pause or break period built-in to the games so it would force the users to take a break. Seems like all those restrictions have all but left the table. 20 years ago everyone was worried about being sued and time constraints, maybe the expectation of reality now is that developers will just handle it by making the games more short-burst and arcade-like, which is kind of what VR had been built on for me growing up.

 

If I do get one before the end of the year, it will be at least another month out.

7800 - 130XE - XEGS - Lynx - Jaguar - ISO: Atari Falcon030 | STBook |STe

 

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The more things I read about this now that the PSVR is officially released today, the more I'm really wanting this. My buddy got his a little early several days ago but he's hours away so I can only see the pictures he's been posting. I'm in no rush to get it but I can tell it's something I want sooner than later with the plan still to wait for an available PS4 Pro model. I have read that a lot of people have motion sickness from Driveclub VR with little negative to say about other titles.

 

I'm unsure about Minter's latest madness for the PSVR but will not overlook his efforts as he's always managed to pull of some really great things.

7800 - 130XE - XEGS - Lynx - Jaguar - ISO: Atari Falcon030 | STBook |STe

 

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I finally played a PSVR! Now that it's been out for a year, there is a ton of content. I was really impressed with Rebellion's Battlezone reboot, Skyrim and Thumper. I still need to try Polybius. The whole thing is extremely immersive but it can be a little disorienting. After about an hour I got a little queasy.

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Yeah, Thumper is my jam man, that game is amazing! I haven't picked up Polybius yet but have a million other things to do/focus on anyways. Can't say I've played it for more than 40 or so minutes in any setting although BattleZone VR does make it quickly disorienting and queasy because you can move the ship one way while you're looking another and it just throws you all off mentally.

 

While I'm not sure what the plan is with Tempest 4000, it would be interesting if they included some sort of VR option. Would only push me to buy it sooner than later once available.

7800 - 130XE - XEGS - Lynx - Jaguar - ISO: Atari Falcon030 | STBook |STe

 

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I'm thinking of getting one of these for my PS4.  They do work with the standard PS4, right?  Apparently there is a discount today for these.

Yes they work for standard as well SONY has been pretty outspoken about "OH NO YOU DO NOT NEED THE ProPS4 !" so that is true currently though I wonder if at some point if 3rd party if not SONY themselves will start releasing titles and add-ons that definitely require the pro for a worthwhile experience. Of course you could always consider upgrading to the Pro should that happen. I would look forward to your impressions of PSVR either way and really that might be more relevant as most people at least for a while would also be using a standard PS4. 

I am Rob aka MaximumRD aka OldSchoolRetroGamer and THIS is my world http://about.me/maximumrd

"For you, the day Bison graced your village was the most important day of your life. But for me, it was Tuesday."

 - M. Bison

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From what I've read, ST: Bridge crew is great if you have other players to network with. The solitary experience is said to be lacking. I'm waiting until I know more people with the PSVR to get it.

 

I picked up the Skyrim bundle for $100 off but I'm spending most of my time in the free demo and the free PlayroomVR. Skyrim is great, but I don't want to start a massive RPG at the moment. I've also tried some 360 and 180 immersive movie content and watched an episode of ST:Discovery with the headset. Watching regular content is kinda like having your own floor to ceiling, wall to wall movie theatre. I downloaded Minter's Polyibius yesterday and it is cool but I haven't quite figured out the gameplay. There is an almost overwhelming amount of visuals onscreen in that game.

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