Virtual Reality is the future of gaming, there’s no doubt about it. Gamers have evolved over the decades from 8-bit gaming to 1080p and then to 4k but the visual improvements get less with each step. Our monitors and TV screens can only take us so far. Then came the VR race. We had the Occulus, the HoloLens, the Samsung Gear VR and of course the HTC Vive.
That last product in particular has had the undivided attention of gamers across the globe, often described as the best product in the VR scene, even though it’s still in prototype development stage. That hasn’t stopped HTC from announcing the Vive Pre, a second generation developer edition VR system.
“When we first announced Vive ten months ago we had an ambitious goal of fundamentally changing the way people communicate and interact with the world – forever. Since then Vive has received a phenomenally positive reception from media, industry commentators, consumers, and the hundreds of partners and brands we’ve been working with to deliver inspiring and dynamic VR content. For too long, the promise of virtual reality has been little more than a promise. Today we stand on the precipice of a new era. Vive is creating a world where the only limit is human imagination.”
– Cher Wang, chairwoman and CEO, HTC.
The Vive Pre does comes with many improvements over the older Vive such as refining the design of the headset so that it sits more comfortably on the user’s head by updating the straps that hold it in place to increase stability and balance. The visual system has also seen an upgrade with a brighter display and image refinement that’s improved the clarity of what you view, deepening your sense of immersion. But for me, the cherry on the top is that it adjusts to a variety of facial expressions while still compatible with a variety of glasses!
VR headsets have of course one major problem: they effectively render you blind to the real world and your surroundings. While you’re flying around in space, chances are your cat’s gone berserk with your favourite couch cushion. However the Vive Pre intends to blend virtual with physical by integrating a front facing camera into its design, allowing you to take drink a and read a book without having to remove the headset.
An essential part to the VR experience, the Vive controllers have also seen an overhaul, featuring updated ergonomics, softer edges, better grip, new textured buttons and better balance. A new dual stage trigger makes interactions with objects smoother while a haptic feedback system delivers information on your interactions with your virtual surroundings. Power wise, the controllers now have lithium-polymer batteries that can run for 4 hours before needing a top up via a micro USB cable.
The first generation HTC Vive is scheduled for commercial launch in April 2016 with 7000 more kits being available for developers in the New Year.
