The State of VR: How the HTC Vive is winning the virtual reality war

The PlayStation VR is joining a very heated race, and it's one that the HTC Vive is winning.

[ArchangelMike]

Don't underestimate Sony and PSVR. They have the marketing muscle, the 40 million+ install base, the exclusive games line-up, and most importantly, the cheaper price point. I agree that the next 12 months will be crucial for all the VR platforms, but I suspect that Sony will take an early lead.

[Erik7357]

*exclusive game line up that you can't name a single good game for
*and most importantly, worse technology and of course it's cheaper

What means winning a VR for you? Sales and popularity? Then yea I would say Sony but if your for quality to me it's not even really a question. But I don't like VR in the first place so I''m not really enthralled to get it on pc or ps4.

I find it funny that the only people excited and talking about VR really are console gamers who have had no experience with it, its really a novelty for gaming in my opinion IN ITS CURRENT STATE.

[Rimeskeem]

The fact you can buy a slim and a PSVR for less than an HTC vive is astonishing

[GrubsterBeater]

You are making assumptions. Just because someone primarily games on consoles, does not mean they don't have experience with VR.

I primarily game on console, but I have experience with VR. I'm sure that I'm not the only one...

[Aenea]

Battlezone, Rigs, Eve Valkyrie.... Good games in my book!

And please, stop with the quality, we get it, you don't VR at all plus you're an Xbox fan anyways so of course PSVR won't be up to snuff in your eyes.

The resolution is only a bit smaller which is compensated by more subpixels. Resolution is the only thing you can say is 'better quality' about the Rift/Vive, some other things are surely better quality on PSVR, cheaper, more comfortable and it does both 90hz and 120hz. I have no idea what else you could possibly think off to say that PSVR is 'worse technology' than Rift/Vive. It's silly...

And if you don't even like VR as you keep saying why the heck are you replying in articles about PSVR?

[TKCMuzzer]

It seems the fact that YOU don't like VR is sole reason it will fail. Its an interesting point of view. If people did not get excited for things there would be no progress. I imagine you don't have a VR headset, so by the same token you say its the people who don't have one who are excited, you don't have one and are playing it all down. In your way of thinking that's just as bad, assumptions without experience.

[ArchangelMike]

@Fries1223
I know it won't be possible to have a rational conversation with you about PSVR because you're an xbox fanboy, and have a bias against Sony. So you would naturally disparage anything to do with PSVR because inherently it would arouse jealousy in you as it is a gaming option that is not open to your preferred system of choice.

But just so you know, I have tried both Occulus Rift and PSVR, and like you said "the only people excited and talking about VR really are the console gamers...." I am a console gamer, and I have tried VR and you are right that I am excited by it. The fact that you point out that it is the console gamers that are excited for VR, as opposed to PC gamers - tells me that the console VR market will do better than the PC VR market. In other words, Sony will sell more VR units that Occulus or Vive.

[Zoombael]

Driveclub VR, Rigs, Rez Infinite, Farpoint. All of them exclusive, all of them received well.

"Worse technology" that can hold its own and proof to console hardware never is about raw power. See Driveclub VR.

[Razuel]

We demo'd the PSVR, and Oculus Rift last weekend at bestbuy. If the HTC Vive is anything like the Rift then no thanks. PSVR far superior, in comfort, and functional visuals.

[S2Killinit]

I've read that PSVR is lighter than the others meaning it won't put as much strain on your neck as the others and that PSVR doesn't heat up or fog up after long use. Furthermore, it is more comfortable. You gotta give it to Sony, they make good hardware.

[Rhythmattic]

Yes, and its the only 120hz screen on consumer VR (Vive/Rift 90Hz) , and also does not use a LCD pentile display but an oLED Subpixel screen.
Besides also the fact the Sony actually makes cameras from personal to broadcast, they're pretty ahead in the optiics dept.....

[DigitallyAfflicted]

It's not a competition. PC and Console VRs need to be successful if we want to see improvement in this still new technology, and in case you wonder which one is better? it's simple if you own PC it oculus or htc if you can afford it. if you own ps4 then go for PSVR. Why to make another useless argument out of it.

[Rhythmattic]

DigitallyAfflicted
Pointing out facts is not an argument.

[IGiveHugs2NakedWomen]

The article is ridiculous. less than 1% of PC gamer has a rig capable of running Vive VR. This assertion is nonsense.

[addictgamer]

Your "statistic" is ridiculous, if you look at the steam hardware survey, about 11% of Steam users have a R9 290/GTX 970 or better. In fact, 2.27% of steam users bought a 1060, 1070 or 1080 over the summer and those number are just growing. Considering Steamspy has the number of steam users pegged at 185 Million, that's a lot of potential market.

I do have to wonder, how likely is someone to buy the VR headset, camera and motion controllers for $500 when they only spent $300-$400 on their console? It's a little different proposition than $800 is to someone that spent $1500 or more on their PC (speaking specifically about the people that have a pc capable of running VR) especially since it is a premium experience as well.

[IGiveHugs2NakedWomen]

@addictgamer

So I was off by 1.27%. Sue me.

--_--

[Bladesfist]

You're not very good at math, you were off by 10% or 18 million gamers.

[Pekka]

Those Steam surveys are pure crap. Most PC gamers aren't even Steam users. Perhaps 20% (at best) have ever used Steam in their life. Those who don't use Steam are less likely to have good rig. Second, internet surveys generally are always wrong. Remember, those who are active Steam users are more likely to answer this survey. Passive users won't answer it because they are less likely to even notice survey even exists. And also those who have better rig are also more likely to answer survey. Remember, these surveys are completely optional and you can bypass them with one click, which most users do.

So, you get the answer that 11% of the ACTIVE Steam users have rig capable of running VR. And even that result is very unreliable. In real life, those surveys are completely useless and tell absolutely nothing.

[Pekka]

@addictgamer: Wouldn't using only $300-$400 on their console actually make them more likely to buy VR sets etc, because they have more money after buying console. With your logic, PC games should cost a lot more than consoles games. In reality, console games cost a lot more and still console gamers usually buy more games. So, why PC gamers buy less games with cheaper price, although they are prepared to use more money on their rig?

Just think about it, it isn't about price of the rig, it is about the total price. Console gamers are more interested about games, not hardware. They still may have just as much money or more.

[addictgamer]

@hugs
Actually, you were off by over 1100%.

@pekka
Many titles link in to steam for the purpose of rights management. If you are a PC gamer, you most likely have several titles that register on steam and if you are an enthusiast, you definitely use steam. Your 20% "statistic" is purely made up, a piece of fiction made up in your own head. Besides, if the hardware survey is indeed wrong as you imply, who says it is less than that? Just as likely to be underestimating the number imo. Got any proof that the casual users are less likely to participate in the survey than enthusiasts other than what you are telling yourself?

As far as the cost factor goes, up front affordability is a MAJOR talking point in any discussion about the merits of consoles and PCs. Although it's true, psvr could outsell the pc counterparts, I only argue that it definitely has cost working against it.

[Xristo]

I don't even own a PS4, however i totally agree. If there's one thing (some would argue even more things) that the consoles do that's damn better than anything the PC ever does, it's marketing. Taco Bell has been already advertising the PSVR... and only time will show how much more commercials/adds you will see. Knowing Sony, expect a lot more.

[Mystogan]

I don't think anyone doubts that the psvr will take the early lead. But I think anything can happen. and I think the one(s) that's going to dominate VR and AR is going to be Microsoft and it's OEMs.
Look at Windows Holographic platform.
http://www.techrepublic.com...
"With this group of partners, and especially if it keeps growing, Microsoft could be able to quickly capture a large share of the burgeoning VR and AR market "

If all of these partners are going to push VR devices(which seems to be the case) including heavyweights like ASUS,HTC,DELL,ACER, LENOVO and HP. They are going to be the ones that are going to make it mainstream running Windows Holographic.
Because if VR is going to be mainstream it needs to be more than just a gaming peripheral.
And right now all the VR headsets(PSVR,Rift,Vive) are just gaming peripherals.

Also knowing these OEMs. Most of these VR/AR or MR headsets are going to be very affordable.

https://www.youtube.com/wat...

This is all launching in 2017. I think by early 2018. Microsoft and its OEMs already dominate the majority of the market. Of course it depends on how early in 2017 they launch their headsets.

Bottomline: Microsoft secretly positioned itself to dominate this market and ya'll thought they weren't interested in this market.
https://www.youtube.com/wat...

Also it wouldn't be farfetched to say that some of these Windows Holographic based headsets will work with the Scorpio. And maybe even the Xbox One.

[Kiwi66]

Yet not all of those 40 + million will buy it as it will only be a percentage who do so there should still be a good number who do

[Lonnie18]

50 million by now...

[Master of Unlocking]

True. I actually don't even understand how Sony manages to come up with a product that costs only ⅓ of the price the two others retail for, although the price entry is that of a new-gen system, it's almost mind-bogglingly cheap for this kind of hardware! They must be selling it at a loss, and what a loss it must be. At the end of the day this will be the deciding factor of whether consumers adopt Virtual Reality or not. Along with how people feel when using it of course. Last night I watched Battlezone, and it was just a video on youtube, no helmet or anything, and I felt sick for a little while. Then I just drank water and felt better, and today I watched some more footage of that game and didn't experience anything bad, and watching vids of the other VR games I felt perfectly fine also, but if people interested in VR try that game or Rez infinite or w/e it's called first, then I have the feeling VR is going to get some bad press as being a "vomit-o-tron" or "epic-lepsic" or "headaches-over-heels " or w/e word some people will coin. They really need to work on not having movement in game that feels too unnatural (unnatural as in: a movement on the screen that was not guided by you turning your head), and also not having games that are assaults on the senses like the two aforementioned games, or else...
Other than that, it could-and should-do fine I think. Can't believe we're there already. How far has technology come, it's insane.

[Neonridr]

"HTC's Vive virtual reality headset is fast becoming the go-to hardware of choice for anyone who wants to go beyond Google Cardboard and experience the full potential of VR"

amazing how that statement is about to go the way of the dodo once Oculus Touch comes along. Sure, you can get the complete package with the Vive now.. but we are a week away from finding out the exact release date of the Touch controllers.. I have a feeling it is much sooner than we think.

Anyways, nobody is "winning" the race. All 3 are going to help usher VR into the mainstream. If one fails, it probably means they will all fail. They actually want each other to succeed in order to prove that it's not just a fad.

[S2Killinit]

I agree, they are in this together. Even as to the two that are directly competing, the success of one helps the other, as the market is big enough for both of them.

[Zoombael]

"If one fails, it probably means they will all fail. "

Nonsense. It means the product wasn't good enough.

[XXanderXX]

Cool congrats to HTC Vive

[TKCMuzzer]

mmm, it's like running the 100 metres on your own and being surprised you won. You can only be leading if there is competition to run against.

[XXanderXX]

That's okay

[C-H-E-F]

It's easy to win a "war" you're the only one fighting.... Devs are boycotting the oculus and Sony and Microsoft isn't even out yet.

[_LarZen_]

I have a HTC Vive and if that is "winning" then it's just sad. It's incredible cumbersome to use and I often just dont bother. I'm hoping the ease of use and the games are better on PSVR.

[Errorist76]

There is no way the Vive is winning anything...PSVR will though.

[_LarZen_]

That remains to be seen. But if the PSVR cant then it's only mobile left that can. If not then it's game over for VR and AR will try to achieve mass market appeal. Something AR will try regardless of how VR will end up.

[mogwaii]

Not at $3000 a pop it wont.

[ibrake4naps]

I would want a vive if I was interested in walking around-type VR games

[ApocalypseShadow]

It is an awesome device. HTC and valve definitely stepped it up and made a good piece of kit. And maybe they are going for the slow burn over time. But from what I've seen, there are issues.

Following the different games ,I can't say any of them are making the $800 worth the purchase. Lots of concepts, lots of demos, but not one real game that says you must have Vive. So, they're definitely not winning in the games department. Valve had better announce a new Portal, L4D or Half Life 3 to start the party off right. 4 player L4D in VR would rock.

As for sales, we know Sony is going to outsell Vive at launch. More potential customers with compatible hardware will have Sony jump right out front. Sony just needs to follow through and keep the momentum going through Christmas.

Lastly, price is a factor. The reason Sony will outsell Vive is because Vive is so expensive. You can buy a PS4 and a headset bundle for the price of Vive. You can't beat that. Any sales Vive has so far will be eclipsed by PSVR.

Games, sales and price. Without a killer app, lower price, which leads to more sales, Sony will win. Sony don't need a killer app because Sony never sells hardware based on just one game. It's multiple games across a variety of genres that always helps them succeed. Name brand recognition means Sony will sell worldwide. That's powerful.

But it's anyone's game to claim victory. When oculus finally release the motion controllers and phase 2 games, they might take the lead. But I doubt it as it's expensive too.

[Sm00thNinja]

I'm sorry but once PSVR joins the fray I feel like the battle will be over immediately. Sub 500 VR and the medium to push it with 40+ million PS4s already waiting. It may not be the best of the 3 but that won't matter in the long run

[Mrveryodd]

I totally agree with dat sm00thNinja..... i dont have a working pc so PSVR for me

[DeeBeers]

vr is in its infancy. hoping by the time scorpio comes around it will have better games. thats when ill consider it.

[frostypants]

I don't know a single person with the Vive...

[SynestheticRoar]

I feel like i'm under water when I use the vive headset.

[ILostMyMind]

Really? We will see VR fanboy's war now?

[warriorcase]

They absolutely do and will dominate in sales for this cycle atleast with better availability and wide customer base. I own a vive myself and absolutely love it.

Edit. Was suppose to he a reply to ArchangelMike

[TKCMuzzer]

Correct, all new tech relies on price and accessibility to a wide market, plus simple plug and play. Console, VR headset, game, that's a pretty simple setup.

[TankCrossing]

I think I want a VR headset this year, but I'm very torn on which to go for.

Vive has the controls and roomscale that apparently do make it the premier experience right now.
Rift apparently has the better quality display (in terms of screen door) and has controls and roomscale coming, plus confirmation that it'll work with scorpio
PSVR has the price and apparently a good display, it'll have consistency in performance targets and it has probably got more support from recognised publishers but at the expense of the homebrew scene, but controllers and roomscale are weaknesses and I've seen the games described as "blurry" (at least from the base PS4).

Consistency of framerates and publisher support is massive, but then so is the homebrew scene and quality of the controls and graphics. There just doesn't seem to be a right answer right now, and all 3 are quite a lot to gamble on.

Anyone here have real world experience of more than one of these, to draw real comparisons?

[TKCMuzzer]

As with any gaming device, it's about game support. Thats were your choice should focus on.

[Rimfro]

Vive is the best over all. It can do room scale, and do seated VR. You can also download over 600 Vive-ready apps on steam. And, Fallout 4 VR will fully support the Vive's room-scale next year.

PSVR is a good decision if you are on a budget, and want the easiest to set-up and wear of the 3. The PSVR has solid game support out of the gate, as well. If you can find a PSVR, and already own a PS4, id suggest that just because of the price point. But if money isn't an issue, Vive all the way.

[2cents]

If the spoils of this war are sales numbers then the PSVR is sure to take that crown.

It has the greatest 'shut up and take my money' appeal and the PS Fanbase is strong.

It's all about the games at the end of the day. If developers get behind VR then it will most likely succeed.

[feraldrgn]

That looks a little uncomfortable, does it have a support on top?

[Psychotica]

The problem with the Vive and Rift is the lack of full games and to many $5 tech demos just to wow you for a few minutes. Every time a good game comes out that would be ideal for VR the devs always have the same response, "we are thinking about it"..

[captainexplosion]

Why do people keep mentioning Scorpio with VR. What am I missing?

[Red_Renegade]

wishful thinking.

[Jayszen]

The writer does pretty much nail the reason why the HTC Vive has got the support of both developers and PC gamers who can afford the kit. Oculus has had some serious missteps recently towards both the consumer and developers, and in a market where there is an alternative that is not only as good but actually better, better, this can be devastating. The one thing that has kept Oculus in the game is the pricing which is lower than that of the Vive but beyond that, there is not much reason to buy the Rift when compared with the Vive.

The writer acknowledges that the PSVR has advantages. It is the lowest priced of the three major VR brands and is designed to work with the PS4 and PS Pro. With a total of over 45 million already sold, the PSVR has the potential to become the most popular VR brand and this is why PSVR has developer loyalty. Most people who have tried the PSVR have confirmed that the Sony headset is the most comfortable and the easiest to handle when compared with the Rift or the Vive and this attests to Sony's skills in hardware design and manufacture. While this iteration of the PSVR is slightly less powerful than the Vive, it has other advantages which allow it to compare favourably such as the relative absence of the 'screen door' effect which is prominent on the Rift and the Vive.

I suspect that the HTC Vive will become the standard for PC gamers while the PSVR will be the VR tech for console gamers who are PS4 owners. I have purchased both and intend to spend the rest of my life in VR heaven!

[plmkoh]

HTC Vive is definitely the dominant between the two PC headsets, but as long as it still requires 3 power point adapters they've got a long way to go before they can appeal to the mainstream.

[ABBAJESUS]

I'm waiting for 2nd generation of these vr-headsets.Oculus 2 and Vive 2 are going to be amazing

[GrimmyReaper]

All while in the end, none of them are actually winning anything.

Nobody talks about it, nobody uses it and they aren't selling too hot. The last update which admittedly was a month ago, showed that the best seller was the HTC Vive and that was 100.000. That's not enough to warrant a new market for a most developers just don't bother making VR driven experiences, especially when the more impressive looking games are actually older games updated with VR.

I'd say, the technology is just too expensive right now. Most consumers first of all need a VR capable PC and then with shipping need to shell out 1.000 bucks for the thing. And it is cool tech, it really is, but besides from immersing you more in the game offers no benefits. Nobody will ever use it for any competitive FPS game ever, no third person games, no traditional puzzle game, no platform games because it not only limits the gamer, it limits the developers when they have to keep in mind that the game HAS to run at 60 fps and thus can't have demanding graphics.

All in all, VR still hasn't shown any signs of changing anything in the gaming industry that much. Heck, barely a word is spoken about PS Morpheus.

[Ulf]

Proving once again that the masses are knuckleheads.

The Vive controllers *suck* compared to the Touch controllers. Anyone who has tries a Touch agrees.

Since you can have multiple Oculus sensors, theres not much of a serious difference between the two setups, except for the controllers.

[Mrveryodd]

VR Will not fail ... the porn industry will see to that ... without the porn industry the internet would be a lot smaller place IMO
Not saying this is good or bad , but this industry has driven the internet for ever and thats the way it will allways be.
Some like Halo and what Xbox has to offer , others like what Sony has to offer , i have never played an Uncharted game , there would be others who have never played Halo ..... but i bet 99% of people here have seen porn on the internet .