Oculus is the leader in VR tech By Alexander Dominguez Staff Reporter Alexthechew56@gmail.com
With videogames reaching the advanced age of virtual reality, it’s finally time to answer the question of “What type of virtual reality headset I should get”? Well, the virtual reality game company Oculus recently released two new versions of VR headsets: the Oculus Rift S and the Oculus Quest. While the Rift S and Quest may seem similar, there is a large difference between them and that is the marketplace where games are bought. For gamers with an Oculus compatible computer that has a display or mini display port, the Rift S provides the ability to get games that can be bought. Oculus has its own exclusive store that sells games; but games for the Rift S can also be bought from the Steam game marketplace and various third party websites. The Quest can only receive games from the Oculus store due to it not needing a computer to run and having its own power source. Even though games can
come from different marketplaces, they still cost the same. Basic games such as VR Chat, a multiplayer social space where people can interact as their favorite characters in virtual reality, or Job Simulator can range in price from $5 to $15. More complex games made by professional developers like The Walking Dead: Saints And Sinners will sell for about $60. Both headsets are practically the same with their specs and such; the big difference between the Rift S and the Quest is that the Quest does not need a computer to run games or power itself; the headset is the console itself. The downsides of the Quest are its battery longevity, its battery only has about two hours of gameplay, and it’s a little front heavy. However, without the cord, there is more freedom of movement. The Rift S has a wire that connects to the computer, but it’s long enough so that there is little worry about tangles or tripping on the cord. The Rift S also contains access to
the computer’s desktop and Left: Pedro Vargas (9) demonstrates the Steam game how students use the Oculus Go devices in the VR classes. photo by Almarket thus exander Dominguez; Right: San Jose Mercury News technology columnist acting like a Troy Wolverton tries out the Oculus large extension Rift virtual reality headset system while the Consumer Electronics of the computer; covering Show in Las Vegas. photo with permisplayers can even sion San Jose Mercury News/TNS watch movies graming languages and then and browse the build up to using Unity’s C web. Sharp programming language VR technology has been in which students can actually exploding in popularity, so create games in a 3D world,” much so, that what used to VR teacher Michael Sakowicz be available only as college said. courses, are now being of Students use the less fered at the high school level through Career and Technical expensive version of Oculus called the Oculus Go which Education (CTE). Here at is similar to the Quest as it is Varela, we have added Game not tethered to a computer and Simulation courses or allowing students to move what we refer to as VR classmore freely around their es. desk. It lacks features that are “The virtual reality classes are only a portion. It’s normally found in the Rift S and Quest, but the students a game design class. Students are learning the basics, are beginners just learning how to use and program the intermediate and advanced application steps and uses of equipment, so those features are not really necessary. The not only what games can do but how to make games using cost also makes it easier to repair or replace equipment if simple and advanced coding anything unfortunate were to techniques using Javascript, happen to any of the Oculus Python and some other proGo headsets. There's no better mobile VR experience than the Oculus Quest, and its The VR classes are perfull-motion untethered design feels like the future. Let's see how good fect for someone who wants the app library becomes. photo with to be a game designer and permission CNET/TNS learn the fundamentals of game design and coding.But for those that just want to stick to gaming, go and check to see if your computer is Oculus compatible and see if the Rift S or the Quest is for you.
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