Facebook reportedly cancels its "next generation" Oculus Rift 2 headset for PC

Facebook has reportedly cancelled its in-development "next generation" Oculus Rift 2 virtual reality headset for PC, despite the company's assurances that it's "planning for a future version of Rift".

[Spurg]

VR has 0 killer apps and that's why I don't care about it.
Second, why did Facebook get involved

[DarkVoyager]

Astro Bot: Rescue Mission is a killer app.

[Skull521]

I saw, like many others, this death of VR coming a long time ago. This was a huge public beta across multiple devices, to discover once again that VR is not ready for prime time. Certainly a step closer then virtua-boy or whatever it was called, but we are still a good decade or more away from truly great VR. Thanks to everyone who sacrificed their hard earned money to participate in this experiment, the data gathered will surely help out the future of VR.

[fiveby9]

I think this speaks more to Facebook's inability to sell their VR headset than that VR is dead across the board. Perhaps for the broader vision to which Facebook envisioned it being used for it is not something which they care to invest in right now. I don't think VR goes away at all. It's just a slow burn. Now if Sony and Valve also announced dropping development of their VR headsets then perhaps it would go dormant for a while.

[PlayableGamez-]

Thats kind of a reach dude.
Nobody is going to invest into VR for Astro Bot: Rescue Mission.

[Eonjay]

@Skull521

Facebook's efforts are a drop in the bucket as is their marketshare when compared to the solution that is no only already in Prime time but is leading the way for better and better experiences that are score better some flat games. However, if you are waiting for Microsoft to tell you its ready, you are just going to get left behind as they have. Furthermore, lets just ignore the fact that this was never seen as the next step for Occulus which of course has ALREADY been announced and is coming. At this point you are forcing yourself to be pessimistic for he glory of a plastic box that has contributed nothing for it and therefor needs to stay back on the sidelines where it belongs. Only Microsoft and its minions want it to die because they can't pretend to have invented it.

[TekoIie]

"Astro Bot: Rescue Mission is a killer app."

No it's not. N4G's community is primarily Sony fans and you're barely hearing anything about Astro Bot from them. That's all you need to see to prove you're making that up. Also how have sales increased since Astro Bot released? Show the numbers please to backup your claim.

[scofios]

Dont forget resident evil 7

[rainslacker]

Funny. People go on and on about how Sony isn't supporting VR very well. basically forgetting about it. That VR will be dead because they don't really care. Then they release what is now considered one of the better VR games out there through their 1st party, and it's still VR is dead.

Personally, I wouldn't really look to facebook as being the arbiters of where the future is headed in the least. For any market they're in except maybe social media buzz feeds which they've remained stagnant on for years now.

Their reasons for buying Occulus were stupid to begin with, and I was always dubious on their actual ambition to make something new out of VR. But even with that, just because FB cancels Occulus 2 doesn't mean they're just abandoning the market. It could mean they decided to go a different route with it, or just cut losses on what they felt wouldn't be profitable. If they sell off Occulus, or do nothing with it in the future, then sure, they've dropped out, and other companies can fill the void. There is enough of a market for VR now that its not going to go ignored.

So, until that market goes away, the death of VR is just postulation based on the hope of raining on other people's parade.

[RacerX]

I saw this coming too.... Except because the Oculus Go and Quest are the future.

Oculus Rift 2 is being canceled because the future of VR is NOT strapped to a PC. They don't need all those wires and sensors anymore.

I have a Rift, but I'd take a small graphics downgrade to the Quest just to be able to put it on anywhere and play. So much better than my basement strapped to my PC.

[Neonridr]

plenty of great games for VR, both on PC and PSVR. VR is hugely social. Facebook is a company that specializes in being social. It shouldn't be hard to see the connection.

Also, the headset was not cancelled, just the version that Iribe might have been directly connected to. Oculus will still continue to make headsets.

[Marcello]

You dont even own one cos if you did you wouldnt ask the dumb question of the day as to why Facebook is involved.

You know nothing, no killer apps pppffff. Ever play Fallout 4 in VR or Dirt Rally in VR ?? I suppose you expect GTA6 in roomscale or something ??

[Silly gameAr]

You don't care aboutbit because xbox doesnt have a VR solution. Let's be honest here.

[Moe-Gunz]

Firewall and Astro Bot

[MoonConquistador]

There are many many killer apps for VR now, don't feed the machine. Anyone who says otherwise hasn't actually tried it.

[rainslacker]

@moon

the media does a horrible job of covering VR games. I know it's not as popular as the daily SJW hit piece, or click bait battle to the death that is pitting one systems pros against anothers cons, but there are good games in there that deserve more attention. This is even true of the many non-AAA games that seem to go neglected on a daily basis.

That being said, i think a lot of people that criticize around here really don't bother to take the time to learn what is actually out there, because they're more than happy to just accept the age old adage, "SONY HAS NO GAMES!!!!". it's worked so well for them in the past.

[sprinterboy]

Moss

[Shikoku]

Resident evil 7 is a killer game. Facebook bought oculus shortly after its kick starter ended years ago.

[Sevir]

That's a pretty big claim... The reality is VR is hard to communicate because it requires a headset. PC VR experiences were always going g to hit a wall due to their cost and the fact that it's tethered to a PC, which are often in spaces like bedrooms and small offices... Console VR is a bit more approachable for one, it's cheaper, and two it's tethered to a TV which is stationed in Living rooms, Dens, game rooms, and yes the bedroom. But TVs gather more people around a single device, so the opportunity to share a VR experience in front of a TV in your living room or game room with a group of friends or family is greater. So it's no wonder Sony's approach while being a slow burn was always projected to be the one with the longest legs. HTC's Vive and FB's Oculus had the power advantage but that only catered to the PC centric base.

And now that the PS4 and PSVR is approachable, there's an argument for Sony to really take hold of Devs to pour there resources into the PSVR and really put out quality Software. Modern VR is just getting started, but This going to be Console led experience if it's going to be successful, thankfully Killer apps for PSVR have started to materialize beyond the small fun demo experiences

[specialagent4532]

For Iribe sold the Oculus Rift to Facebook to make a quick buck

[roadkillers]

Disagree, they have some amazing games. My problem is that the best are rhythm games imo. Astro Bot seems to be a good first step. The big incentive is games like GTA5 where people can mod FPS to play in VR.

Honestly, all I am waiting for now is a VR treadmill that works.

[ApocalypseShadow]

Come on. Do you even play in VR? Where did you get that from? The only big rhythm game out there is Beat Saber. The rest are just there. If you only like that type of game, then fine.

But, how do you ignore all the big VR games like Skyrim,Super Hot, RE7, Arizona Sunshine, Firewall ZH, Moss,Astrobot, Robo Recall, Wipeout, Dirt Rally, Raw Data, Lone Echo, Farpoint, etc, etc, etc?

Rhythm games were on Kinect. That had no real games. VR has games other than rhythm. Lol. To say VR only has good rhythm games but nothing else is ridiculous.

[roadkillers]

^ I didn't say that at all, I said the best games have been rhythm games.

[IcedOmega13]

Onward is pretty awesome. Also if you play Elite that alone to me made it worth it.

[lelo2play]

Like I predicted, VR is simply another fade...

[warriorcase]

*He never played Lone echo

[warriorcase]

Already reported same day as not accurate.

https://m.au.ign.com/articl...

Probably holding off for further development with the new Samsung amd Pimax VR headsets releasing soon and seeing what competitors are bringing.

[Jinger]

Huh I wonder if this is a sign of them scaling back support on VR... I was going to pick up the Oculus Quest when it releases, but this kinda has me worried.

[jonivtec]

Vr will probably follow the same path the 3d did....that's why i didnt get in the hype and drop the money.I did invest in 3d and was really like it.

[MatrixxGT]

Yeah 3D comes and goes it never really stays mainstream. I felt same with VR, I’m sure some people like it and think it’s great but it’s not how I want to play games.

[Jinger]

VR is way better and much better for video games than 3D. VR changes experiences... 3D is just a cool affect.

[Shikoku]

Thats a silly statement VR needs 3D to make ot believable.

[annoyedgamer]

@Shikoku

VR is 3D.

[jonivtec]

Yeah..but still a to much expensive and unconfortable gimmick...It wont last....cancelation of oculus 2 just capitalize on this.Even after 2 years on market and still very few aaa full game that dont feel like a demo.

[ApocalypseShadow]

Jon, go back to the top of the page and look at what it says

***RUMOR***

You already took it as fact without any actual proof. Oculus is not being pulled from the shelves. They already added Oculus Go for casuals and are realising Oculus Quest next spring to be the in between of high end and casual. That's 3 headsets that they will have on the market.

And the company already said that Oculus Quest is the last first Gen HMD they are realising. Meaning, generation 2 is being worked on to replace it in the future.

Research. It's your friend.

[Dom_Estos]

Roughly translated

"Hi, I'm jonivtec. When it comes to VR, I really don't have a clue what the f*ck I'm talking about, because I haven't tried it yet, so I'll talk bollocks about it by making laughable comparisons to 3d TV."

[FinalFantasyFanatic]

Vr tech just isn't quite there and yet and we still need developers to make great games, as far as I can see, there are so few games worth buying for it. I don't feel that VR will go the way of 3D, but I think it'll be like 4K, very slow uptake as the technology matures.

[DiRtY]

VR IS DEAD.
Just like motion controls and 3D Gaming.

Get over it.

[Marcello]

If its dead, why am i having so much fun with it ?? just sounds like another person who doesnt own a VR headset so it must be no good.

[Dom_Estos]

You can tell instantly the people who haven't put a headset on before.

No one (and I mean no one) that I've come across, or known, or shown, has not been blown away once they try out a proper HMD like a Vive or PSVR. Idiots like above will talk balls about it because they think it's Kinect with a 3d TV strapped to your face. The reality is, you put that headset on, and the real world vanishes and you're inside the game as if you're environment around you turned into graphics. It literally tricks your brain into thinking objects are tangible, real, and actually in front of you. Actual scale overwhelms. These people think it's like 3d TV where objects just pop out slightly in front of a phone screen.

[carcarias]

Yeah, it's such a shame some people are so cynical and yes, they do sound like people who have never played.

I enjoy playing my brothers so much I'm going to be getting a Vive soon. I'm in my mid 40's, been playing games since I was 7, and new gaming experiences that really blow me away are hard to find. VR is one such experience and nothing else has impressed me like that for soooo long.

Kinect, WiiMotes etc, they were mild diversions but VR is the real deal. As @Dom_Estos says, I've never met anyone who wasn't deeply impressed if not completely blown away. Even my mum and dad, who aren't gamers, were shocked at how engrossing it was. Funny thing is, it's more accessible too. Both of them find a controller hard work and they give up but you give them the VR with handsets and they take to it like a duck to water. It's gonna have such widespread appeal once the headsets are cheaper and smaller, which is only a matter of time.

No matter what happens with Oculus, VR in general is only going one place, UP. All the people here calling it a gimmick? Well, they'll be playing too ;)

[NeoGamer232]

I have a really nice and at the time expensive 3D TV. 3D is dead but I still have fun playing 3D games on my PS3. I also have Oculus Rift for my PC.

Just because I enjoy them, doesn't mean they are not dead. Same with VR. YOY sales are dropping and there is no sign of recovery.

https://www.digitaltrends.c...

[FinalFantasyFanatic]

@Dom_Estos,

You clearly have not come across people like me, I've tried Samsung and Sony's VR, I've tried dozen or so games and have just walked away unimpressed with current solutions. Then again, my "brain" may not be that easily tricked, I think the technology and software has tremendous amounts of room to improve.

[Segata]

Motion controls are not dead. They are built into DualShock 4 and Switch controllers from Joycons to the Pro controller. The 2 best selling systems right now. They have become just another input device rather than the focus of the whole machine.

[Marcello]

And 3D movies can be watched in VR without needing the dark glasses.

[JackBNimble]

VR is in the pioneering stage right now. Have you ever seen the movie "Player One"? Well I can see VR as that in the future, maybe not quite to that extent but mainstream non the less.

The point is that companies involved in the pioneering of VR, will be the ones involved in the online infrastructure and reap the rewards of VR.

It's probably going to take 10 or 20 years before VR is mainstream, but it will happen, it's inevitable.

[mkis007]

This perfectly encapsulates the reality of it. Thank you.

Black and white tvs people...silent films...it all started somewhere.

[rainslacker]

Yep. VR is a long burn. Same as the game streaming services which we see now, or are coming. Neither will probably be the only option, but both will certainly have a place in the future of gaming.

Beyond just building the infrastructure, the companies in it now, are going to be in a much stronger position as time goes on, because their products will become synonymous with the technology.

[andibandit]

I remember seeing VR in the mid 90ties, and back then people said it was in the pioneering stage.

[FinalFantasyFanatic]

This is how I see VR, once the hardware and software get close to the quality of Ready Player One, it'll be hard for anyone to pass up, it's just going to take a long time to get to that point.

[Lionalliance]

Actually, PS VR is selling like a lot and there's a lot of good VR exclusive games for it. I have no idea what you're talking about.

[Vetgamer]

Not sure about pc, but it's still got a pulse on ps4.

[Goldby]

there is more interest in VR across the board than Xbox one

[rainslacker]

Man, all these things which are dead, yet still around. Consoles in the face of mobile. Portable, in the face of mobile. PC in the face of mobile. Physical in the face of digital. CD's in the face of digital. Wifi in the face of Bluetooth. Coffee shops in the face of Starbucks. Philosophy in the face of science. Religion in the face of science. Buying movies in the face of streaming. Windows in the face of mobile OS. Single player in the face of GaaS. Gamers in the face of more modern progressive sensibilities.

Quite honestly, the only thing that has ever been actually claimed to be dead and been right, is game journalism....which doesn't even exist anymore as it was wiped out in an extinction level event of their own design.

[Segata]

VR is niche and VR was going to die anyway then years later come back again as the pattern repeats.

[UCForce]

What about PSVR ? It did pretty well actually.

[Segata]

Well for VR. 3 million in 2 years. Still highly niche.

[Shikoku]

Its doing well not did

[UnholyLight]

Holy doom and gloom batman. Take your blinders off Sony is gonna chase VR even harder next gen, and you've still got HTC Vive on the higher end which isn't going anywhere. This is more of a FB restructuring VR towards the cheaper end of the spectrum like the guy hinted at as to why he was leaving because he didn't want a "race to the bottom"

[Dom_Estos]

Right and wrong. Mostly wrong.

VR is niche, yes, but temporarily so. VR has already reached the tipping point in terms of investment and R&D, and also in certain circles and markets. Its roughly where gaming was almost 40 years ago with the likes of intellivision and Atari. It is not going anywhere.

[carcarias]

I disagree. First people talked in person and they watched others do things IRL. Then they listened to the radio. Then they listened and watched at the same time on TV in black and white, then in colour.

Gaming came along and then they actively started participating in what was happening on the TV. Now, with VR, they are IN the world that was previously only presented on a flat screen. It's progress and once the tech is further improved and more affordable everyone will be using it.

My grandparents told me that their parents thought TV was a fad; radio was so much classier and refined. Then they themselves thought, 'Bah, who needs colour?'. My parents thought gaming itself was a fad or at least something that would never be mainstream or ever aimed at adults, that it would always be niche. How did that opinion pan out?

There's no need for VR to 'go away' and come back again. It's just gonna be a slow, gradual rise in popularity and usage. Is it niche now? Yeah, and at that price it's not a surprise. The price won't be a barrier forever though and really speaking, there's simply no rush anyway.

I'm not sure why people think you have to have tens of millions in sales in two years or else 'it's just a fad'. IF the price was far less (£100-150 say) and it still had only sold 3 million or so units, across all platforms, then I'd say people had a point, that it obviously wasn't catching on or impressing people.

Put simply, I've never met anyone who wasn't impressed with the tech. The price? Sure. The range of games?
Sure. But the tech? Never. It's a new level of gaming.

[Marcello]

I tried a demo of VR at the shopping mall once so that gives me the right to voice an opinion on it. Those people who actually own a headset dont know what there talking about.

[andibandit]

I think you forgot the word "Dont", somewhere.

[FPSFox]

I'd be willing to bet the people comparing VR to 3D and motion controls have never even put on a headset. VR isn't a gimmick and is truly amazing. The technology is 100% ready for the public. I can agree that more devs need to get behind it though.

[UCForce]

Some PSVR games like Moss, Firewall Zero Hour and Astro Bot Recuse Mission show that. Like you said, it’s not gimmick. It’s just that developers need to put a lot of works into it.

[chiefJohn117]

By definition it's a gimmick. Ppl for some reason see a gimmick as a negative when it isn't. A gimmick can be a good thing. In fact motion game actually isn't a gimmick(well it can be used as one) but VR in whole is a gimmick. Disagree if you like but its a fact. Even if it were to sell 50 million. It's still a gimmick.

[RememberThe357]

By definition is a technology.

[Dom_Estos]

And by your wonky logic, so is your game console, your DS4, and even your TV. Phone? Yeah, that's a gimmick too.

Here's the fact:

If gaming is intended to immerse you, then you can't get more immersive than playing a game in VR. That's not even up for debate.

[rainslacker]

From Wikipedia

A gimmick is a novel device or idea designed primarily to attract attention or increase appeal, often with little intrinsic value.[1][2] When applied to retail marketing, it is a unique or quirky feature designed to make a product or service "stand out" from its competitors. Product gimmicks are sometimes considered mere novelties, and tangential to the product's functioning. Gimmicks are occasionally viewed negatively, but some seemingly trivial gimmicks of the past have evolved into useful, permanent features.

I guess that any console could be a gimmick, regardless of control options. But since there is intrisic value, they're not considered gimmicks, as they're a core product. The switch right now has a hook, or gimmick, in that it's a home console, that can double as a portable....at least that's one way to look at it since it's not that clear cut. But that gimmick isn't a bad thing, and is central to the design of the system and it's purpose.

I'd argue that VR has intrinsic value, as the premise is based around the technology of VR, and the gimmick itself is the core of the product, not something inconsequential to its design.

I would say that VR is unique in that it is separated from traditional gaming, but in this case, i'd liken it more to the first console with a joystick. It's uniqueness, it's gimmick, was that it was a plug and play system, with a standardized control scheme that was easy to use....relative to the keyboard at least. in that case, the console and what it delivered wasn't a gimmick, it was an central part of what the product was about. And that's where VR is. The immersion, controls, and experience are central to the core of the product.

VR may be a novelty as of now, but that's due to it being pretty new for the mass market, but nothing about it is tangential to it's operation.

There is a point where a gimmick is no longer a gimmick. The original analog stick was a gimmick. But it grew into a required and expected feature for a controller. VR will probably not reach the point of being 100% required in my lifetime, but it will grow into its own platform, much like mobile gaming has grown from a gimmick of playing games on one's phone, to being a major platform within the overall gaming market.

[chiefJohn117]

@ Doms exactly your right lol......see how easy that was? Not everything is hostel. It's simple truths. For some reason ppl get peed off from the word gimmick lol.

Thanks rainslacker for the wiki it proved my point. It's a gimmick no reason to be upset embrace the term, it doesn't have to be a negative one y'all. Read that wiki rainslacker posted, thats VR written up and down.

[rainslacker]

The first time you try it, assuming you aren't suseptible to the motion sickness which you'll likely overcome over time, is that everything just feels so real. Like you're there.

First game I tried was Until Dawn, Rush of Blood, and despite the PS3 level graphics of the ride master, it felt real. Like you were actually there. I found myself reaching out to touch things. My dad tried it, and I watched him reaching towards things, and while he didn't play the game himself, he couldn't help but be astonished at how real it felt.

My wife plays it when I do, and then take breaks, and she's always reacting and sometimes reaching out, or gasping at stuff as if its real. She's not a techie by any means, but she loves VR. Her only real criticism is the way you control games doesn't live up to the experience....and I agree, but don't let it get to me most of the time. Exception would be with a wheel in GT:Sport, which despite it's limited implementation in the game, feels like you are driving a car, and at times, you can even experience something akin to G-forces as your body reacts to turns or sudden stopping.

But I agree with you. the technology isn't fledgling anymore. It's here, and it works well. It has support in the industry, unlike any time in the past. While more support would be great, it isn't limited support. It's about as best as we can expect for it's current user base. over time, we'll get more, but one thing going for it is that people who play VR, buy a lot of content. Same reason that Vita got a lot of games, despite being "dead".

[FinalFantasyFanatic]

Personally I don't feel the realism or the immersion, I don't think the tech or software is yet sufficient enough to trick my mind into it, it'll be different story as the technology is improved and refined over time though.

I agree the way you control or "interact" with the VR world is immersion breaking for me, that and I would like some form of feedback (those haptic suits would be a nice addition to the VR experience).

[andibandit]

no, it needs to be cheaper, the graphics need to be on par with non VR games, the VR-movement needs to be solved, and the cable clutter needs solving as well.

[paintedgamer1984]

Wow... Sony may have this market on lock for the most part. Wasnt it said PSVR was the most successful VR perepherial? I would be a bit mad if Sony didnt make a psvr2 for the 5. So far, all signs are pointing to it being "baked into the syster". I heard a rumor Sonys next console will have a completely revamped Dual Shock 5... that comes apart to double as psvr controls and the ability to hook up a screen between the controllers for portable gaming. God i hope thats true. Maybe do a bundle where the headset is in the box and 1 without.

[UCForce]

Yes, it is because it have reasonable price and most accessibility as well. It’s just that other VR was too expensive.

[paintedgamer1984]

Agreed

[crazyCoconuts]

If PS5 doesn't have VR than I'll agree with the prophets here that claim VR is dead. Sony has definitely been leading the charge here. And people need to remember that handheld consoles are dead as well...except for that one little innovative company...

[rainslacker]

I think that Sony, Occulus, and HTC, and maybe even Samsung, have been leading the charge for VR up until now. I don't want to give credit to one company, because i feel they have all offered up something to the market. It is this kind of attempts to make the market work from multiple directions that has made VR become more than just a passing curiosity that it always was in the past....where it released, then fizzled quickly and was never worth buying. That hasn't happened this time, and unlike past attempts, we see more support coming from more developers as time goes by.

[gangsta_red]

"Wasnt it said PSVR was the most successful VR perepherial?"

In a failing, niche market, i wouldn't necessarily call that success as even Sony themselves said their VR didnt do as well as they expected.

https://www.eurogamer.net/a...

[paintedgamer1984]

Well, noone really expected PSVR to do as well as it did when there were 3 major problems...

1. Price for admission
2. Amount of things the consumer needed
3. Limited games or limited stellar experiences

If they can include everything but the headset in the box day 1 in the ps5 and charge 100-200$ for the headset, it might be much more successful. You needed the camera, move controllers, headset, and then games. If the ps5 can have a built in camera and controllers in the box day 1... this might really take off. I dont see the camera or tech inside the psvr controllers hiking price up too much. Im def willing to pay 399-499 and esp if they give us pro consumers a nice trade in policy. Many other people were saying how much it was going to fail and noone would want it. When nearly almost everyone who experienced it had favorable remarks. Hell, at least Sony tried to push innovation where ms said it was comming and then it to never be brought up again and... Nintendo being Nintendo

[ApocalypseShadow]

**Sony said that while the PSVR specifically was growing, growth for the overall VR market was "below expectation".**

Sony means that the PC market needs to step up and do better to help grow the overall VR market to keep it healthy.

The problem is that PC VR is expensive to jump in to, they haven't released any sales numbers or are pushing VR's acceptance as they should. Valve is happy collecting royalty checks from developers on Steam but have done nothing to put game software on their own platform or promote gaming. Microsoft is happy to have Steam support for MR,but haven't made any games themselves or are getting those partner hmds into consumers hands. Or make any hmd themselves.

Facebook, as much as I don't like their information collecting, is the only company on PC getting content out, lowering prices and producing products to get the masses involved with Oculus go and Oculus Quest.

If others stepped up, VR would be in a better position instead of slow but steady growth.

[mkis007]

If everyone only invested in what was very successful now we would never have new tech.

[uth11]

wasn't this debunked by oculus?

[crazyCoconuts]

Yes, they're denying it...
https://mobile.twitter.com/...

[Baza]

Privacy concerns.

[ocelot07]

Thought it was just the prototype that was binned?

[MetroidFREAK21]

I don't see the appeal of VR... I wouldn't want something that close to my eyes

[crazyCoconuts]

Ever visit a strip club?

[Marcello]

Never, mommy wont let me, she says i will go blind.

[MetroidFREAK21]

Yes I have... Twice

[rainslacker]

VR Porn is interesting......and likely will be the biggest reason that VR is adopted in the future.

[chiefJohn117]

VR simply isn't exciting enough to use constantly and justify the price. It got compared to 3d for a good reason cause that's a perfect example. It like paying an extra $300+ for that tv you wanted but with 3d You'd use it once maybe a few times then stop using it or use it once in a blue moon. At the price VR has to be something you'd use everytime you game and we'll supported. I know I wouldn't so it's not for me. It's simply a niche genre. Motion gaming is more mainstream than vr

[uth11]

the hardware is a bit cumbersome, but VR done right is amazing and is on a whole other level than 3D TV

[paintedgamer1984]

ChiefJohn117:

Id love to see what you have to say about VR if it was ever on the xbox... guess we'll never know

Uth11:

Agreed, RE7 was a prime example of how amazing psvr could be if done right.

[chiefJohn117]

What I'd say? The same thing lol does everything have to made into a ps vs Xbox thing with you ppl? Smh. I don't bandwagon on thing that my console have that the other don't. You don't see me hyping up at, or keyboard and mouse support or og Xbox bc cause idgaf about them. I'm not like you, I don't hype something I have 0 interest simply because "the guys don't have it" or hate on something I know is good that the other brand is doing.

the large majority aren't gonna choose strapping a device to their head over lounging with a remote looking at a tv sorry. Is it better than 3d absolutely but will it surpass or match the success of motion gaming? no chance.

[mkis007]

Chief.

Eventually it will surpass them yes.we dont have the tech yet but in 10-20 years 4k tv vs black and white.

[rainslacker]

@Cheif

VR right now is in its infancy. But what will you say when the tech evolves enough where VR is maybe not much bigger than a pair of glasses. Something more akin to Halolens. Easy to throw on and use without extensive preparation or set up for every gaming session? That tech exists now, MS is working on it and there are plenty of techs outside what we know which can be implemented into VR. But it's too expensive for a consumer level product

VR being cumbersome is a problem with the current tech, not a reason that the tech will fail. If that is the crux of your argument, then you ignore that fact that technology continues to get better, and for something that can be successful, it will continue to get better and address the needs or desires of the customer.

VR in its current form is niche. But the claims that it's dying, or is destined to fail, don't add up because people think that it will always remain in its current form. VR will likely remain niche in comparison to more traditional methods for a very long time. but that doesn't mean that it will fail, or that there won't be a market for it worth supporting.

[UCForce]

The VR is not gimmick to be honest. It’s just that the price VR is too expensive. Only PSVR is doing pretty well. Because Sony didn’t try overhyped this product like other VR competitor. In 2016, Sony expected their PSVR to be sold a hundred thousand units and it did what they expected. In 2018, Sony announced PSVR have sold 2 million units which is impressive for niche gaming device. I think the competitor really need to give VR a reasonable price, not too cheap and not too expensive.

[ApocalypseShadow]

*3 million ucforce.

[ApocalypseShadow]

Talk about jumping to conclusions.

Facebook decides to bring in the masses with oculus Quest and Oculus go, and that means VR is dying because one of the guys that is leaving believes in power over getting the mass market into vr. Oculus Rift isn't being pulled from the market. It will still sell as a high end hmd.

Just wow. The naysayers jumped on this real quick comparing it to 3D and motion control. When VR is beyond both and does both 3D movies and motion control.

While ignoring other areas VR has entered like hospitals where it will be a simulation requirement, retail places like walmart and Macy's are pushing even more VR into their companies.

Naysayers...just WOW. Lol. WOW. Way to show that you guys have no idea what's going on with VR or have used it enough to be knowledgeable on the subject.

[chiefJohn117]

Your problem is you keep thinking "oh it's better than motion game and 3d so it's gonna be mainstream." You have the best invention ever and still be a dub or shoe in the pan. It's about price, convenience, value and support. Unlike those 2, VR isn't cheap, convenient and it's still lacking in the support department and when you bundle that up, you get a lower value. A lot of ppl don't feel like paying the price of a brand new console for few amount of native games that interest them that you can count on one hand. It's like buying a super gaming PC and just playing 3 games and some low budget indies......is it really worth it? On top of that many can't take 4 hour gaming sessions with the device without feeling woozy. It has its place but I don't see any device selling 20 million

[ApocalypseShadow]

Your problem is that you have no idea what you're talking about. Totally clueless.

People like you nowadays think that something has to explode and become successful overnight. That's not how things work. Your brain thinks Playstation, Xbox, Nintendo, Televisions, cars, planes...whatever...just happened to exist with its current technology without years and improvement on the tech. This is generation one of current VR technology. It needs time to grow.

I'm well aware of the prices, technology, companies, developers, etc. that I could school you in. Tech when it starts out is always expensive in the beginning. What some people want is VR generation 3 TODAY. But for a low price of $100 that looks like Ready Player One and the Star Trek Holodeck. That's being delusional. Cellphones from Apple and Samsung didn't just happen. Apps didn't just happen. Touch didn't just happen. And it's still not cheap.

I'm most likely older than you and have watched technology change again and again. I started with a Pong system. I started with a black and white TV. I started with a flip phone as I skipped on having a pager and the brick phone from Radioshack. I think I know a little something beyond your limited thinking.

3D is nothing like VR. Virtual Boy wasn't VR. Last generation's motion control is not VR. VR is a simulation. And, generation one does it quite well across the board. I know that it will take time and not just blow up like the Wii. Which blew itself up because it became a fad. And not a standard. You don't see 3D TVs in hospitals. You don't see 3D TVs at Stanford. You don't see 3D TVs being implemented at Macy's. You don't see 3D TVs being used for job instruction. But you DO see VR being added to every facet of different industries because it will add to our lives which saves money before real hands on experience and purchasing of products.

You have no clue what I know. Some gamers experience nausea, epilepsy, etc. from REGULAR games. Does that mean regular games should be taken off the market? Some people getting eyestrain from typing on the computer or looking at their phones. Should we remove computer monitors and phones from our lives?Millions are playing for many hours in VR. As I said, you have no clue.

[chiefJohn117]

I get your argument, I feel VR simply isn't cared about enough to become popular on console simple as that. Plus
A. Tech is still lacking
B. Support is lacking
C. It's an expensive accessory that cost as much at the main product used on. Yes your right you can get sick from normal gaming but guess what? VR is on an even worse level to we're you can easily get motion sickness even without a history of it.

Comparing VR to apps and planes and cars is ridiculously. All those things are extremely convenient, VR can't really say the same. They're needed and wanted soley do to convenience. VR is enhanced gaming thats not required. The market potential for it is small and when you add everything up VR has a long was to go to even think about being mainstream, something I personally don't think it will achieve. Do to as I said before. Ppl don't care or want it.

[ApocalypseShadow]

You mean: you don't care or want it. That doesn't mean everyone else.

Some just can't afford it. Doesn't mean they don't want it. Some haven't experienced it. Doesn't mean they don't want it. Just because some get sick doesn't mean everyone does. You assume too much. You generalize.

It took years for those other products to become better and "mainstream." But VR being something new, you won't allow it the same time to grow. That's interesting.

An intern at a medical facility, a new pilot, a new house buyer, a construction Forman, a student, etc can look at a simulation, learn from it, then have real hands on experience with an idea of what they are supposed to do already or want. But oh no. Chief thinks it has no use. Because he doesn't use it. I've seen naysayers like you for decades. It's always the same. "Why would someone want to do that?" It was the same with videogames. But oh look. Videogames are still here 40 years later.

Keep on with your narrow minded view. That's your loss. And when VR becomes light as glasses,you'll still come up with excuses. This is you...
https://i.redd.it/bwcs1t3i3...

[mkis007]

Tvs were once so expensive it was a treat to have 1 in your house. Now we have multiple in most houses.

Vr is many more applications than gaming. When the tech gets there it can allow doctors to perform surgery from across the world.

[WheatBread]

Screw facebook, all they want to do is spy on you anyway. I'm waiting for the Pimax 8k Plus headset.

[Doomeduk]

These companies with all the money eh?
Steam had the machine a usable headset but more importantly the game franchise with left 4 dead, if they could have gone that extra mile and get the price within reason and sell that bundle it could have been different but they couldn't be arsed
Facebook well they've already got the audience on the hook with the social media that a machine with their headset would have been a license to print money
Just asked the wife to msg some friends on FB if the have heard of oculus rift, so far 9 said never heard of and 1 said its in Africa
All that money eh?
If it was sony dropping out I would understand more with all the crap they were supposedly in going into this generation
At some point MS will jump in when they can be arsed and how some executive found a clipping in a loft dated 1910 with a pair of glasses with a bit of string hanging proving that MS thought of it first
But hey what do I know?

[Claudinho69]

not many people have a powerful pc gaming machine and like VR at the same time
.....that simple

[plmkoh]

If your computer can't run popular VR applications like VR chat, it's not a question of power, it's just simply...crap

[Literal_Cringe]

VR just needs more time, I honestly thought companies were too early with this tech once you see resolutions lower than 4K just centimeters away from your eyes and these prices are just too high for the average consumer.

[EricLane]

They're just saying this so as not to deter people from buying the Quest. There will be a Rift 2.

[Dom_Estos]

Hello. Time traveller here.

LOL @ the morons in the comments section as per usual when an article about VR like this pops up, they take the opportunity to spout their misjudged, deluded nonsense on it.

"I saw, like many others, this death of VR coming a long time ago" and "VR has 0 killer apps and that's why I don't care about it" That kind of tripe.

Do you people seriously think Facebook and Oculus are the only company that invested in VR? They aren't even the market leader in the technology. Another thing, had you clowns even bothered to do some research, you'd know they are not only NOT CANCELLING Rift 2, but have another 2 products out, one is the Go, the other is the soon to be released Quest, which is wireless, doesn't require additional hardware for rendering or tracking, and has basically a limitless play area. Meanwhile, Sony are filing patent after patent on what will almost certainly be a follow up to PSVR, and developers like Valve are focusing heavily on software and peripheral support.

So, sorry, buttercups. VR is not dying. Maybe one day when you realise just how forward thinking and ground breaking this technology actually is, and when you can actually afford one (it's not that expensive) you'll join the rest of us in the future.

[medman]

Explain to me why facebook bought that VR company again?

[Cobra951]

I'll repeat what I've said in the past. As long as dorky headgear is required for VR, it will never go mainstream. It will continue to stay in its niche. And big business won't settle for niche. They want, as Jim Sterling put it, all the money in the world.

[Fluke_Skywalker]

As a sim racer I really appreciate what VR is good for it makes a massive difference for sim racing. But it doesn't have much place beyond racing and flying sims. Beyond that it does tend to be gimmicky. But that's more to do with the way developers have used it. I'm sure there could be plenty of killer apps for it but it seems very few devs are willing to put the effort in for such a niche product.

[m2stech]

Thats not good news, it means my dreams of cheaper vive pro are history with no competition around.

[masterfox]

so much people saying VR is death just demonstrate how much ignorance is there about this technology, VR plays a huge role for technology and the future to come.

[ibrake4naps]

when screen door is eliminated and foveated rendering shrinks the difference in quality of graphics to non vr experiences, it's going to be like the eighties, when gaming was floundering and the NES revived it. VR is too amazing to die. It will continue to improve well into the future where many will spend more time in a ready player one VR world than in the real world.

[shadowT]

No good news for VR market.

[--bienio--]

Good.

[thexmanone]

RIP

[thexmanone]

Who would of guessed, VR died quicker then kinect,.

[Prince-Ali]

why are you guys sooo against VR when you dont own a headset or dont plan on buying a headset!? you're all sounding/looking reallll stupid! HOW can you be soo against something you have nooooo interest in that millions have a like/love for!? it doesn't even make sense!