Oculus

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

http://issuu.com/thevipervibe 1 7 the computer’s desktop and the Steam game market thus acting like a large extension of the computer; players can even watch movies and browse the web.

VR technology has been exploding in popularity, so much so, that what used to be available only as college courses, are now being offered at the high school level through Career and Technical Education (CTE). Here at Varela, we have added Game and Simulation courses or what we refer to as VR classes.

“The virtual reality classes are only a portion. It’s a game design class. Students are learning the basics, intermediate and advanced application steps and uses of not only what games can do but how to make games using simple and advanced coding techniques using Javascript, Python and some other programing languages and then build up to using Unity’s C Sharp programming language in which students can actually create games in a 3D world,” VR teacher Michael Sakowicz said.

Students use the less expensive version of Oculus called the Oculus Go which is similar to the Quest as it is not tethered to a computer allowing students to move more freely around their desk. It lacks features that are normally found in the Rift S and Quest, but the students are beginners just learning how to use and program the equipment, so those features are not really necessary. The cost also makes it easier to repair or replace equipment if anything unfortunate were to happen to any of the Oculus Go headsets.

The VR classes are perfect for someone who wants to be a game designer and 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. There's no better mobile VR experience than the Oculus Quest, and its full-motion untethered design feels like the future. Let's see how good the app library becomes. photo with permission CNET/TNS Left: Pedro Vargas (9) demonstrates how students use the Oculus Go devices in the VR classes. photo by Alexander Dominguez; Right: San Jose Mercury News technology columnist Troy Wolverton tries out the Oculus Rift virtual reality headset system while covering the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. photo with permission San Jose Mercury News/TNS