Considering OR Dev Kit
I'm a 3D Vision 2 Surround user considering picking up the Oculus Rift dev kit just to experiment with as I wait for the consumer version. Does anyone here have experience with the dev kit and willing to chime in opinions? I figure i'd ask here since I know 3D Vision users have come to appreciate the immersive factors we have experienced already with 3D/surround gaming... Has the Rift immersion dragged you away from using your 3D Vision/surround environment? Or has the low res made you put the OR away ("It was fun for 5 minutes, back to my 3D Vision setup")?
I'm a 3D Vision 2 Surround user considering picking up the Oculus Rift dev kit just to experiment with as I wait for the consumer version. Does anyone here have experience with the dev kit and willing to chime in opinions? I figure i'd ask here since I know 3D Vision users have come to appreciate the immersive factors we have experienced already with 3D/surround gaming...

Has the Rift immersion dragged you away from using your 3D Vision/surround environment?
Or has the low res made you put the OR away ("It was fun for 5 minutes, back to my 3D Vision setup")?

#1
Posted 08/13/2013 04:39 PM   
[quote="denonsix"] Has the Rift immersion dragged you away from using your 3D Vision/surround environment? Or has the low res made you put the OR away ("It was fun for 5 minutes, back to my 3D Vision setup")?[/quote] Low res is what bothered me the most. Motion blur is an annoyance but I would of lived with it. Ive barely used it. TBH, buying a dev kit for playing is a bad idea regardless of how you feel. I mean you will just have more games to play on consumer release and in much better conditions. There also really not many games to be played atm. Its mostly tech demo's besides a few full games. The library for surround is massive in comparison.
denonsix said:
Has the Rift immersion dragged you away from using your 3D Vision/surround environment?
Or has the low res made you put the OR away ("It was fun for 5 minutes, back to my 3D Vision setup")?


Low res is what bothered me the most. Motion blur is an annoyance but I would of lived with it. Ive barely used it.
TBH, buying a dev kit for playing is a bad idea regardless of how you feel. I mean you will just have more games to play on consumer release and in much better conditions. There also really not many games to be played atm. Its mostly tech demo's besides a few full games. The library for surround is massive in comparison.

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If you like one of my helixmod patches and want to donate. Can send to me through paypal - eqzitara@yahoo.com

#2
Posted 08/13/2013 06:09 PM   
Don't do it. The consumer version is on the way ("early 2014"), and you'll have a much better experience with that. I've tried the HD prototype, and I wouldn't even buy that if it were for sale. I'm super excited to get my own Rift, but the dev versions really are just for development. Unless you've got the kind of income where you can just throw money around like it's nothing, you might as well wait.
Don't do it. The consumer version is on the way ("early 2014"), and you'll have a much better experience with that.

I've tried the HD prototype, and I wouldn't even buy that if it were for sale. I'm super excited to get my own Rift, but the dev versions really are just for development. Unless you've got the kind of income where you can just throw money around like it's nothing, you might as well wait.

#3
Posted 08/13/2013 07:05 PM   
Thanks for the responses all. I suppose it will be best to hold off ;)
Thanks for the responses all. I suppose it will be best to hold off ;)

#4
Posted 08/13/2013 08:25 PM   
Well my two cents: It depends a lot of your expectations, if you're expecting something remotely close to a final product, don't do it, this is almost a proof of concept. Also it depends a lot of your tolerance to low resolution since it seems to be really bad. I should be getting mine in a few days so I can tell you more with real experience. I've seen a few positive comments in this same forums from other users, just make a search for other oculus threads. A few pros to consider getting the OR: 1) You can basically try it for free, or even to a profit. If you check ebay for OR auctions, they sell for the same price it costs you in the OR website, and frequently for more, so you get the chance to try it and if you don't like it, sell it and you'll probably get your money back. 2) I'm sorry but I think pirate is wrong about early 2014. I follow OR news closely and it's always been 2014, not early 2014, please correct me if I'm wrong. What could happen though is that an updated developer HD OR becomes available, but yet again there's no ETA for that or it's availability. So either something really changes or you won't be getting a consumer OR anytime soon. 3) There are a constant flow of demos and games released or supported. Just check http://www.riftenabled.com/ releases. DARK was recently released with OR support, Tridef has just released a patch to make some of their 3d enabled games to work with OR, just today a freefalling simulator was released http://www.vg247.com/2013/08/13/skydieving-oculus-enabled-free-falling-simulator-available-now/ , strike suit zero OR patch should be released this summer so any day now http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/43153532/strike-suit-zero/posts/481609 , and if you check steam greenlight there are a few OR supported games releasing on 2013, so you will be getting stuff to get busy if you want.
Well my two cents:

It depends a lot of your expectations, if you're expecting something remotely close to a final product, don't do it, this is almost a proof of concept. Also it depends a lot of your tolerance to low resolution since it seems to be really bad.

I should be getting mine in a few days so I can tell you more with real experience. I've seen a few positive comments in this same forums from other users, just make a search for other oculus threads. A few pros to consider getting the OR:

1) You can basically try it for free, or even to a profit. If you check ebay for OR auctions, they sell for the same price it costs you in the OR website, and frequently for more, so you get the chance to try it and if you don't like it, sell it and you'll probably get your money back.

2) I'm sorry but I think pirate is wrong about early 2014. I follow OR news closely and it's always been 2014, not early 2014, please correct me if I'm wrong. What could happen though is that an updated developer HD OR becomes available, but yet again there's no ETA for that or it's availability. So either something really changes or you won't be getting a consumer OR anytime soon.

3) There are a constant flow of demos and games released or supported. Just check http://www.riftenabled.com/ releases. DARK was recently released with OR support, Tridef has just released a patch to make some of their 3d enabled games to work with OR, just today a freefalling simulator was released http://www.vg247.com/2013/08/13/skydieving-oculus-enabled-free-falling-simulator-available-now/ , strike suit zero OR patch should be released this summer so any day now http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/43153532/strike-suit-zero/posts/481609 , and if you check steam greenlight there are a few OR supported games releasing on 2013, so you will be getting stuff to get busy if you want.

All hail 3d modders DHR, MasterOtaku, Losti, Necropants, Helifax, bo3b, mike_ar69, Flugan, DarkStarSword, 4everAwake, 3d4dd and so many more helping to keep the 3d dream alive, find their 3d fixes at http://helixmod.blogspot.com/ Also check my site for spanish VR and mobile gaming news: www.gamermovil.com

#5
Posted 08/13/2013 09:46 PM   
Tridef wasnt really ready to play as of a week ago. Riftenabled doesn't really differentiate from being worked on/finished/renderers.
Tridef wasnt really ready to play as of a week ago.

Riftenabled doesn't really differentiate from being worked on/finished/renderers.

Co-founder of helixmod.blog.com

If you like one of my helixmod patches and want to donate. Can send to me through paypal - eqzitara@yahoo.com

#6
Posted 08/13/2013 09:48 PM   
really? There are a few people here that have tried several games and saying they work well: http://www.reddit.com/r/oculus/comments/1jfegx/post_tridef_3d_games_that_work_or_dont_here/
really? There are a few people here that have tried several games and saying they work well: http://www.reddit.com/r/oculus/comments/1jfegx/post_tridef_3d_games_that_work_or_dont_here/

All hail 3d modders DHR, MasterOtaku, Losti, Necropants, Helifax, bo3b, mike_ar69, Flugan, DarkStarSword, 4everAwake, 3d4dd and so many more helping to keep the 3d dream alive, find their 3d fixes at http://helixmod.blogspot.com/ Also check my site for spanish VR and mobile gaming news: www.gamermovil.com

#7
Posted 08/13/2013 09:56 PM   
I dont trust half of those people and Im not sure but I think they are actually arent using rift mode. Just side by side. Alot of the games listed are depth buffer and Im pretty sure the "rift version" of tridef doesnt support depth buffer yet so Im kind of ignoring it anywayz. I actually tested a lot of games in tridef so I know which are depth buffer. [Only tried 2 in rift mode though] There are alot of people who havent played "3D games before" there. No offense but I was amazed by some really terrible games in 3D when I first started. Mass Effect 2 on 3d vision blew my mind when I was new. As we often know people get mind blown by crysis 2/3.
I dont trust half of those people and Im not sure but I think they are actually arent using rift mode. Just side by side.

Alot of the games listed are depth buffer and Im pretty sure the "rift version" of tridef doesnt support depth buffer yet so Im kind of ignoring it anywayz. I actually tested a lot of games in tridef so I know which are depth buffer. [Only tried 2 in rift mode though]

There are alot of people who havent played "3D games before" there. No offense but I was amazed by some really terrible games in 3D when I first started. Mass Effect 2 on 3d vision blew my mind when I was new. As we often know people get mind blown by crysis 2/3.

Co-founder of helixmod.blog.com

If you like one of my helixmod patches and want to donate. Can send to me through paypal - eqzitara@yahoo.com

#8
Posted 08/13/2013 09:58 PM   
I don't know what you mean, this are some of the games mentioned: Dark Messiah confirmed working! Bioshock 1 Confirmed working! Syndicate: Works for the most part but there is a weird glow at the edges of the screen, like there is a light behind the main viewport. In world UI looks great in 3d. Just tested Sonic Generations. Fantastic ! I could buy the Tridef license just for this game >> You weren't kidding!!! This game was IS SICK using Oculus/Tridef... actually renewed my interest in the game >> I gotta third this. OH MY GOD! Sonic so far has been The Most fun ever on the rift. I recommend everyone gives this one a go FC3 Blood Dragon works, although aiming with your head is a pain in the ass lol. Dead Island works for the most part, but you have to turn off shadows and it took me quite a bit of tweaking. Depth Hunter seems to be ok, I need to do a little more testing to get it just right. :) Insane 2 works very well. (generic profil) Mad Riders ok too (generic mode and reducing the fov) Dishonored works as well with tridef as it does in vireio. Fall out New Vegas works (You have to alt tab out and back in to get head tracking) Counter Strike: Global Offensive works amazingly! Sonic All Star Racing Transformed - FUCKING EPIC! DMC Devil May Cry - works great! Actually fun too!! Ahhhhh For The Awesome: works. S.T.A.L.K.E.R. SoC working well MMO FPS Defiance works like a PRO!!!!!!!! Metro 2033 working. Yeah, I know many people won't recognize real 3d, still the Tridef drivers seem to provide some decent support for OR, depth buffer or not, at least for a beta. Tridef recently released new beta drivers http://www.mtbs3d.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=140&t=18365&start=80 , maybe you should check them out if you haven't already.
I don't know what you mean, this are some of the games mentioned:


Dark Messiah confirmed working!

Bioshock 1 Confirmed working!

Syndicate: Works for the most part but there is a weird glow at the edges of the screen, like there is a light behind the main viewport. In world UI looks great in 3d.

Just tested Sonic Generations. Fantastic ! I could buy the Tridef license just for this game >> You weren't kidding!!! This game was IS SICK using Oculus/Tridef... actually renewed my interest in the game >> I gotta third this. OH MY GOD! Sonic so far has been The Most fun ever on the rift. I recommend everyone gives this one a go

FC3 Blood Dragon works, although aiming with your head is a pain in the ass lol.
Dead Island works for the most part, but you have to turn off shadows and it took me quite a bit of tweaking.
Depth Hunter seems to be ok, I need to do a little more testing to get it just right. :)

Insane 2 works very well. (generic profil)

Mad Riders ok too (generic mode and reducing the fov)

Dishonored works as well with tridef as it does in vireio.

Fall out New Vegas works (You have to alt tab out and back in to get head tracking)

Counter Strike: Global Offensive works amazingly!

Sonic All Star Racing Transformed - FUCKING EPIC!

DMC Devil May Cry - works great! Actually fun too!!

Ahhhhh For The Awesome: works.

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. SoC working well

MMO FPS Defiance works like a PRO!!!!!!!!

Metro 2033 working.


Yeah, I know many people won't recognize real 3d, still the Tridef drivers seem to provide some decent support for OR, depth buffer or not, at least for a beta. Tridef recently released new beta drivers http://www.mtbs3d.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=140&t=18365&start=80 , maybe you should check them out if you haven't already.

All hail 3d modders DHR, MasterOtaku, Losti, Necropants, Helifax, bo3b, mike_ar69, Flugan, DarkStarSword, 4everAwake, 3d4dd and so many more helping to keep the 3d dream alive, find their 3d fixes at http://helixmod.blogspot.com/ Also check my site for spanish VR and mobile gaming news: www.gamermovil.com

#9
Posted 08/13/2013 10:05 PM   
I did, I wrote about it. As of a week ago I didnt think Depth buffer wasnt supported. Like 4 games listed there are depth buffer[that I know of] so it strikes me as odd regardless. Not to mention they cant tell difference though tbh I cant blame them with the qualitity. I thought there may of been some qualitity degradation in the games I tested but I honesltly couldnt tell/test since my non rift display doesnt support side by side. Regardless, I dont believe its currently possible to play depth buffer games in "rift mode" [distortion/headtracking]. It MIGHT be possible with generic profile but I did not test it. Regardless it would still need tweaking and adjusting. Especially the hud aspect with depth buffer [which I doubt would of been done]. Its made great progress. My top pick for renderer with most potential on Rift. In time it will be better but half that thread makes me want to ignore it all together. Its kind of buggy but its only been a week.... Tridef is a bit more complicated then 3D vision. People loading it for the first time and reporting success makes me go ... Not to mention it was buggy for the listed games. Read this thread [url]http://tridef.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=3907&start=70[/url] Ignore reddit...
I did, I wrote about it.
As of a week ago I didnt think Depth buffer wasnt supported. Like 4 games listed there are depth buffer[that I know of] so it strikes me as odd regardless. Not to mention they cant tell difference though tbh I cant blame them with the qualitity. I thought there may of been some qualitity degradation in the games I tested but I honesltly couldnt tell/test since my non rift display doesnt support side by side. Regardless, I dont believe its currently possible to play depth buffer games in "rift mode" [distortion/headtracking]. It MIGHT be possible with generic profile but I did not test it. Regardless it would still need tweaking and adjusting. Especially the hud aspect with depth buffer [which I doubt would of been done].

Its made great progress. My top pick for renderer with most potential on Rift. In time it will be better but half that thread makes me want to ignore it all together. Its kind of buggy but its only been a week....
Tridef is a bit more complicated then 3D vision. People loading it for the first time and reporting success makes me go ...
Not to mention it was buggy for the listed games.

Read this thread http://tridef.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=3907&start=70
Ignore reddit...

Co-founder of helixmod.blog.com

If you like one of my helixmod patches and want to donate. Can send to me through paypal - eqzitara@yahoo.com

#10
Posted 08/13/2013 10:10 PM   
I believe that the only way someone would think the Rift was an EPIC experience is if they've never played anything in 3D before, ever. That's not a slam, it's just that when you first start with something you think very highly of it, especially if it has significant cost. Secondly, if you are coming from a 3D Vision Surround background, I can nearly guarantee that the dev kit will be a disappointment. For me, it's a novelty, and I play with it occasionally, but it's not something I expect to use for actual gaming, because it's so far inferior to 3D Vision. For the OP, I'd say you would be disappointed, relative to your Surround setup. If you really want to experiment with VR, and the head tracking, it might be worth it for that. Outside of strict VR, you won't game on it long.
I believe that the only way someone would think the Rift was an EPIC experience is if they've never played anything in 3D before, ever. That's not a slam, it's just that when you first start with something you think very highly of it, especially if it has significant cost.

Secondly, if you are coming from a 3D Vision Surround background, I can nearly guarantee that the dev kit will be a disappointment.

For me, it's a novelty, and I play with it occasionally, but it's not something I expect to use for actual gaming, because it's so far inferior to 3D Vision.


For the OP, I'd say you would be disappointed, relative to your Surround setup. If you really want to experiment with VR, and the head tracking, it might be worth it for that. Outside of strict VR, you won't game on it long.

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#11
Posted 08/14/2013 05:21 AM   
I've got a devkit since 3 months and it's an epic experience. However, if it's great for demos testing, it is not playable in its actual state: too low rez, motion blur, motion sickness in FPS,... If the 1080p devkit would be available, I 'd say why not, but right now, I can only suggest to wait for the consumer version and its AAA VR games (based on Unreal 4 or Frosbite 3 engine for example)...
I've got a devkit since 3 months and it's an epic experience. However, if it's great for demos testing, it is not playable in its actual state: too low rez, motion blur, motion sickness in FPS,...

If the 1080p devkit would be available, I 'd say why not, but right now, I can only suggest to wait for the consumer version and its AAA VR games (based on Unreal 4 or Frosbite 3 engine for example)...

#12
Posted 08/14/2013 09:17 AM   
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