Microsoft’s Virtual Reality Attempt Fails to Impress

Megalith

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Some are already calling Microsoft’s attempt at virtual reality a dud, with Windows Mixed Reality being inferior to both the HTC Vive and Oculus Rift. This writer argues that current sets feature problematic sensors that leave a lot of blind spots, resulting in system glitches that ruin gameplay. Thanks cageymaru.

What problem in VR is Microsoft trying to solve? It could be argued that its headsets require less computing power than Rift and Vive and are less expensive, but recent price reductions for Rift and Vive have undercut that differentiation. Running VR on a laptop or less-expensive desktop computer could also be attractive, but with computer prices coming down, this advantage seems unsustainable.
 
Microsoft NEEDS to focus on AR. The AR headsets are where WORK and a hell of a lot of play will get done. Leave full VR that leaves you blind to the world to other devs for now. The AR that Microsoft was working on was what was really interesting me. Overlay the VR on top of my world, leaving me able to function in the room. As that tech progresses we can blank out more or less interaction rather than having to artifically put eyes on VR headsets so we can see the outside world again.

AR Microsoft! Finish the AR!
 
That is so false. The Samsung Odyssey is the best VR now and that is a "mixed reality glasses". BTW the naming scheme is bad. Why name is mixed reality glasses when it really just VR glasses like the Rift and Vive? The only difference is that these glasses don't need a external sensors.

Please look at real reviews and not whatever this Fool article is.
 
Gasaraki_ I agree with you. I owned Oculus, and other VR Sets, and have tested the Vive. I now own the Samsung Odyssey and its the best set I have every played with. When I first started to play with it I did have some tracking issues, however after the last few updates this is no longer an issue or very rare. the other big bonus to me is the resolution of these and FOV are amazing. Still not where I want my VR experience to be. I think future 4k/eye is where things need to be so that we can read fine text and completely replace the desktop experience. The fact that I can get room scale every where I go with my MSI Raider laptop is what this offers that the others do not. I just plug it in draw my area and I'm playing. It also supports SteamVR, Oculus Store games, and WMR games. Can't beat that. I don't have to worry about exclusive titles not supporting :) Now having the ability to reach behind me I don't see as an issue at all. using natural movements works perfectly fine. I do no that some of the games that are designed for other platforms well using may have a few bugs but each update to steamvr and or Revive seems to fix a lot of the issues.

I still would love to see an AR future with full FOV of 110 or greater. that would be the ultimate if they could pull that off and or the ability to use AR fully as VR with high enough resolution. until they solve that limited FOV VR is the way to go. Look forward until the next gen 4k / eye comes in the next year. :)
 
After using the Vive, everything else is inferior and unsatisfying. I can have a controller THROWN at me, and the tracking is accurate enough where I can snatch it out of the air! I can move in any way I want, and have the controllers anywhere I want, within the defined play area, and it will NEVER lose tracking! Having a tracking failure, OF ANY KIND, while in VR IMMEDIATELY breaks your immersion, and immersion is what VR is all about.
 
After using the Vive, everything else is inferior and unsatisfying. I can have a controller THROWN at me, and the tracking is accurate enough where I can snatch it out of the air! I can move in any way I want, and have the controllers anywhere I want, within the defined play area, and it will NEVER lose tracking! Having a tracking failure, OF ANY KIND, while in VR IMMEDIATELY breaks your immersion, and immersion is what VR is all about.
Have you used Samsung Odyssey?
 
Screw VR, It's bad enough I have headphones and glasses on my head when gaming.
 
I read the whole article and I still don't know which Microsoft Mixed Realistic headset this guy has used. Did I miss something? Why does Microsoft have to follow HTC and Vive design? Shouldn't Microsoft get other manufacturers to use a different approach. It's only good for Microsoft if consumers like the not so cumbersome alternative design. I have used Samsung headset and I think it's good for the 1st version. If there is any issues, it should be corrected in subsequent versions. I just want to know why does this article exist at all.
 
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This is surprising. Microsoft has traditionally excelled in hardware. It now seems they managed to fuck also that up.
 
VR is still in its infancy. Its hard getting a really good VR experience with a very high end set up let alone headsets that cost around $300 only. They want to hop on the mass adoption train but were still a good 5 + years out til the hardware and software kinks are worked out well enough that Joe Blow can buy a headset and it will work just as he intended.

The technology and experience with creating the software for it simply isnt there yet and if they keep putting out sub par VR experiences people will think thats the best VR can do and simply abandon it, again
 
I read the whole article and I still don't know which Microsoft Mixed Realistic headset this guy has used. Did I miss something? Why does Microsoft have to follow HTC and Vive design? Shouldn't Microsoft get other manufacturers to use a different approach. It's only good for Microsoft if consumers like the not so cumbersome alternative design. I have used Samsung headset and I think it's good for the 1st version. If there is any issues, it should be corrected in subsequent versions. I just want to know why does this article exist at all.

Seriously. This is nearly fact-free reporting.
 
This is surprising. Microsoft has traditionally excelled in hardware. It now seems they managed to fuck also that up.

When, EVER, has MS "excelled" in hardware???? Name ONE successful product, other than the mouse? Kin, UltimateTV, Windows Phone, and yes, even Xbox (especially the 360), MS has proven, MULTIPLE times, that they are completely inept when it comes to hardware.
 
When, EVER, has MS "excelled" in hardware???? Name ONE successful product, other than the mouse? Kin, UltimateTV, Windows Phone, and yes, even Xbox (especially the 360), MS has proven, MULTIPLE times, that they are completely inept when it comes to hardware.

they made a great mouse once.
 
i read the headline.. and then was left wondering why is that guy in the pic getting attacked by bees, and whats that stupid thing on his head?
 
I agree - the Mixed Reality branding is confusing as hell. I haven't tried their version yet - the Samsung one sounds pretty good. Still on the fence and haven't jumped in yet.
 
When, EVER, has MS "excelled" in hardware???? Name ONE successful product, other than the mouse? Kin, UltimateTV, Windows Phone, and yes, even Xbox (especially the 360), MS has proven, MULTIPLE times, that they are completely inept when it comes to hardware.

Uh, MS gaming controllers, especially Microsoft Precision Pro joystick has been pretty much legendary. Mine still works like new after 30 years of use.
 
Uh, MS gaming controllers, especially Microsoft Precision Pro joystick has been pretty much legendary. Mine still works like new after 30 years of use.

30 years? So you use a 15 pin to USB adaptor to get it to work? Or just use it plugged into an old ISA soundcard?
 
The only thing i like about my Windows Mixed Reality set is that it is portable, and plays my Steam library. Rift and Vive are a pain in the ass to setup in another spot (And im an old school LAN player from way back. We are talking CRTs and beigeboxes), WMR is painless.
 
Other than the Xbox and Intellimouse, Microsoft has never hit it out of the park with hardware design and implementation. They typically either over design products to the point of futility, or just deliver complete garbage that the market has no interest in. A lot of people that haven't bought a headset yet are waiting for the next gen versions to start coming out with high resolution (no screen door), perfect tracking, lower latencies, and higher refresh options. While this is still a boutique industry and SONY has complete control of the market at the moment (see sold units, it's not even close), I would have at least liked to see something compatible with XBOX 1 X that could have used the higher end hardware to create a new baseline for high quality VR experiences. Until then I'll just spin my tires for 3 more years :(
 
When, EVER, has MS "excelled" in hardware???? Name ONE successful product, other than the mouse? Kin, UltimateTV, Windows Phone, and yes, even Xbox (especially the 360), MS has proven, MULTIPLE times, that they are completely inept when it comes to hardware.

Uhhhh, Surface Pro (3 or newer)? Xbox controller design (and the new S and X systems at least somewhat).

I'd really advise against sharing articles from Motley Fool. It's a total BS clickbait website. Their tech articles are always complete trash and done with little to no research. The Windows MR headsets are pretty okay. The controllers are better than Vive but not as good as Rift, but the built-in tracking of the headsets makes things simpler than either of those options so it's a trade-off. The only real drawback is they can't fully track behind you. The Samsung headset kills the Vive and Rift in resolution though, and the others are a bit better in resolution too.
 
30 years? So you use a 15 pin to USB adaptor to get it to work? Or just use it plugged into an old ISA soundcard?

It was the first generation to have a MS built usb adaptor included.
 
Uhhhh, Surface Pro (3 or newer)? Xbox controller design (and the new S and X systems at least somewhat).

I'd really advise against sharing articles from Motley Fool. It's a total BS clickbait website. Their tech articles are always complete trash and done with little to no research. The Windows MR headsets are pretty okay. The controllers are better than Vive but not as good as Rift, but the built-in tracking of the headsets makes things simpler than either of those options so it's a trade-off. The only real drawback is they can't fully track behind you. The Samsung headset kills the Vive and Rift in resolution though, and the others are a bit better in resolution too.

Sure surface 3....for when you need a DISPOSABLE laptop! The damn BATTERY is GLUED in and unreplaceable!
 
Sure surface 3....for when you need a DISPOSABLE laptop! The damn BATTERY is GLUED in and unreplaceable!

I got the atom powered one for travelling and because I liked the build quality. It uses battery faster than it charges, and that's out of the box brand new. Makes it ultimately completely useless. I've only used it once.
 
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