SteamVR Games Hit Windows Mixed Reality This Month

Megalith

Megalith

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Windows Mixed Reality platform will be getting access to Steam's VR games starting November 15th, Microsoft tells Glixel. Specifically, Windows Mixed Reality's SteamVR preview program, which is currently open to developers, will open up to anyone with Windows 10 and when of the currently five available Mixed Reality head-mounted displays.

The SteamVR bridge essentially shuttles people from Windows 10's virtual reality Cliff House to Steam's own virtual reality home. Once there, players can try out any of the SteamVR games they own with mostly good, but occasionally mixed results. The goal is to eventually make all games behave as they should, but Microsoft is still working through the occasional issue, so this is essentially an open beta.
 
The main appeal of these is a higher resolution display than the Vive or Rift.
 
Why do they even call this mix reality? There is no AR at all, this is straight up VR.
 
Is it just me or is this a confusing product launch? VR is already a small, emerging platform (and Vive & Oculus have already tried to fragment their small markets with exclusives...). Now Microsoft comes out with Mixed Reality when they are really just VR.
I've also seen next to 0 in advertising about this platform. Why would someone want this as opposed to a Rift or Vive (talking from a normal consumer perspective that will be buying gifts for the holidays soon)?
Hell, I had to do some digging to find out that these were myself. It seems like the platform came out of nowhere and information has been scarce. Since I still haven't purchased any VR products yet, I'm curious about these. They are basically the same price as the Rift. The Vive costs more - but having used a Vive a bit, I find it to be an awesome experience and the one to beat. (Haven't used the retail version of the Rift - only DK1 which isn't a good comparison).
 
steakman1971 said:
Is it just me or is this a confusing product launch? VR is already a small, emerging platform (and Vive & Oculus have already tried to fragment their small markets with exclusives...). Now Microsoft comes out with Mixed Reality when they are really just VR.
I've also seen next to 0 in advertising about this platform. Why would someone want this as opposed to a Rift or Vive (talking from a normal consumer perspective that will be buying gifts for the holidays soon)?
Hell, I had to do some digging to find out that these were myself. It seems like the platform came out of nowhere and information has been scarce. Since I still haven't purchased any VR products yet, I'm curious about these. They are basically the same price as the Rift. The Vive costs more - but having used a Vive a bit, I find it to be an awesome experience and the one to beat. (Haven't used the retail version of the Rift - only DK1 which isn't a good comparison).
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Easier setup for consumers. It doesn't require setting up tracking devices in the room.
Possibly cheaper if you compare actual equipment, like having built in headphones, adjustable eye focus on headset, etc.
The hardware requirements are less, but this is mainly because of the apps they are releasing. For games on Steam, you'll still need higher end computer.
The only real competitor will be the Samsung because of the screen. The others are inferior to the Samsung, Vive, Rift, but of course cheaper.

Personally I'll be getting the Samsung, only because of ease of use due to having a family.
I would consider Vive if the wife didn't mind having cables all over the living room. Even if I had a dedicated room, it's kind of janky.
 
I own a rift but got to demo the Lenovo VR in a windows store and I was surprised by it. Controller tracking wasn't as good as the rift but with some continued software development and the fact it's way way easier to setup I could see it being competitive.

I love my rift, works amazing but I wouldn't cry if I could lose the USB cables to the sensors lol
 
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