So, unless you're curious about VR, you can skip this. If you are curious, read on....

I got my Vive this week and meticulously set everything up. I want to warn anyone considering this to make sure their machine meets the minimum recommendations and be prepared for some experimenting, reboots, swapping of USB devices in ports (well, YMMV).

Hardware:

It took me 2 1/2 hours to set up the hardware, this included setting up the tripods and camera clamp mounts for the base stations, running the cords between them nicely, plugging in the power strips to strategic locations and the base stations themselves. Also included hooking up the breakout box and the headset. I went slow and methodically, measuring twice, cutting once. In the end, I didn't have enough space for full room-scale where I wanted to use it, but the standing experience was actually good enough for me. Fortunately the tripod approach gives me a more mobile solution. I should mention that the tracking (if you set up your base stations right), is spot on. The controllers seemed like a mirror image of what they were in real life and even though I couldn't see my arms, could reach out and pick them up as if it were second nature. You could touch them together and where they touched was exactly where they did in real life, bloody wild.

Software:

OK, yes, I had to install SteamVR. I also had to upgrade the firmware in every piece of hardware included. (The HMD, 2 controllers, 2 base stations.) I got to a point where everything was working except the controllers, no matter what I tried from every source on the Web would allow them to be recognized. It wasn't until I switched some USB devices around that they finally 'clicked'. I spent about five hours rebooting, uninstalling, re-installing, switching USB devices, etc. until it came to fruition. It reminded me much of the days when one would try to get a new video card, display or other device working on Linux.

Tutorial:

Do not skip this. It shows you not only how versatile the controllers are, but also how intuitive and natural they seem. The 'pad' (similar to a game pad) is not your average pad. Sure, you can click it in several directions, but even without pushing down on it, it is sensitive to your movement. It's like a small round touch-screen. The haptic feedback in these controllers is so refined, it's unreal. In one instance, you use a controller to blow up a balloon, it literally feels like you're filling it with helium. You can use the other controller to 'bop' it around, and wow, it just adds to what looks so real.

"The Lab":

This is Valve's flagship demo for the product. Try it out, do all eight experiments. Any video you see of other people doing them will not do justice for the immersion you will feel playing these mini-games. In "Longbow", a 'castle-defense' simulation, you not only feel like you're notching and shooting, but you're standing on a parapet where you can look down and see the shadow of your controllers. Another demo, "The Secret Shop", reminded me of a ride or attraction at an amusement park where you had animatronics, lots of animated things and so much detail on everything that no matter where you looked, there was something new to be discovered. I would have expected to wait in line for an hour or more in order to see something like that at any major amusement park. However, I got to experience it, here, now, in the comfort of my own home.

Games:

OK, What I can say about the games is that apparently now that this technology is getting into the hands of consumers, more and more developers are releasing proof of concepts, demos as well as the already established titles from those who got in the basement of this building. I have only played one so far (out of the 27 I have queued up): Audioshield. Simply an amazing concept gone VR, this game gave me quite the workout. In fact, tears of joy were streaming down my face before I was done.

If you all see less of me around here, it's probably because I'm too immersed in VR or I've lost weight playing Audioshield.

A NOTE TO GOG:

For those games that you have in your catalog which support VR, if they require additional content (like "The Vanishing of Ethan Carter"), please consider adding it. I would love to buy my VR games from GOG.

Cheers!

Very awesome. I'll have to start putting more coins in my piggy bank, but maybe in a few years I can give this a try. It sounds very unique and interesting.

Of course, I get motion sickness. I'm hoping it won't be too bad with VR.

It's definitely cute, but I really can't afford to spend that much money on a gimmick.
GameInformer did a nice look at the Lab last week BTW, definitely very nicely made.

I don't get motion sick, but even people who have used this with motion sickness have felt 'something'. My wife tried the Longbow game from "The Lab" demo, but she had to stop because she was afraid of heights and she made the mistake of looking down. I wouldn't quite call it a "gimmick", it is trickery on the eyes, yes, but it's not anything like the VR of the 90's or the Viewmaster 3D I had as a child. It really is quite a different experience. Trust me, watching videos of people using the hardware/software is NOT THE SAME. See if there's a demo somewhere near you where you can try it. Apparently select Game Stops and Microsoft Stores are giving demos.

When you consider the amount of money that people shell out to go see entertainment like this at amusement parks though, maybe you would think differently. I spent around $2000 several years ago to go to Universal Studios, get fast passes, a hotel on site, etc... and even then, there were still waits, the time it takes to get from place to place, the freaking heat... I'll spend $800 (apparently the Oculus is $600), and have some really good fun. It's also the most exercise I've gotten in a long time.

I still consider it a gimmick or at best a gadget.
And for the price (even though I don't think it's currently available here) I could get another computer or a good TV.. or a ton of things that would deliver a better price-to-enjoyment/usefulness ratio. And I probably would have to upgrade my system to fully enjoy it as well.
As well as have a nearly empty room.
Also I hate going to amusement parks and such so I never go, I practically never leave the house so savings wise that also doesn't work for me.
I suppose it could allow me to 'enjoy' rides I would otherwise never get to 'enjoy', but to me that hardly qualifies as an enticement.
Like so many things, I would like to have it but I wouldn't like to pay for it.

Interesting.

I can see where you're coming from. As the Beatles once sang, "The best things in life are free...." :)

Seriously though, I don't necessarily see it as a 'gaming' device in and of itself, but instead, perhaps a tool to help people who get anxiety in certain situations (like agoraphobia, acrophobia), better yet, the ability to visit far away places one may never decide to visit, but appreciate it from an immersive point of view or still, experience things like skydiving, cliff diving, bungee jumping, zip-lining or any other type of physical activity which in real life is not only exciting, but dangerous as well.

To learn that companies like BMW have been using Virtual Reality for years already to refine their user experience is somewhat a reassurance that it has practical uses other than just 'games'.

BTW, I played with the Google "Tilt Brush" application, basically a Virtual Reality 3D-Paint application and not only was the User Interface intuitive and rich, but it was quite a bit of fun to be creative... and they've updated the application to export their format to .OBJ, so I could easily sketch out something and import it into Blender.

In some ways, it's a gimmick, in other ways, it's an innovative user interface. I think it will continue to improve and hopefully you'll get the opportunity to experience it.

I tried both the Vive and the Occulus and that definitely convinced me that VR is not for me, at least not yet. (and that come from a guy that nearly spent 2000$ 20 years ago to buy one of the VR headsets they were released back then)

I don't know, I don't wear glasses and my vision is "good" but wearing one of those thing for more than 5 minutes is a torture, feels like wearing somebody else strong glasses, it hurt my eyes and give me an headache in no time. (much worse than wearing the standard 3D glasses or playing the 3DS.) I cannot see myself playing with one for a prolonged period of time.

Not to mention that I am not very keen of putting to led display mere centimeters from my eyes given all the bad rap LED lightning is getting recently.

Great thread idea. Subbed!

I spent quite a bit back in the late 90's with the VFX-Forte combined VR and headset, meant for consumers; however, it made me dizzy, had high latency and the resolution was, well, probably a third less than what they have now. I do wear glasses, and one thing that is very important is to adjust the lens distance if need be and make sure you measure and adjust your IPD (inter-pupilary distance). People who usually get a prescription from an optometrist or at the least, have an eye check up, can request this (although there are ways you can do one yourself, but I'd rather leave it to the pros.)

If the headset is not adjusted properly, then you're probably going to have more eyestrain and that would definitely give one headaches. Kind of like staring too long at one of those "stereovision" portraits where you have relax your eyes and make them go cross to see something.

If everything is measured correctly, it shouldn't hurt. Not sure if I've seen anything about that lately, sources?

Thank you for sharing your experience with the HTC Vive, it had some useful information that I didn't know, also I didn't really look it up until now. I'm considering getting one as well, the hold back for me is the video card: GeForce GTX 770, so I'm waiting for the new generation of video cards from Nvidia, since the 900 series is already a little bit old.

You're most welcome. To be honest, I have the bottom end of the system specs, an nVidia GTX 970. I actually had to upgrade from two 9800 GT's in SLI back when I was trying to run the 2nd installment of "The Incredible Journey" and the fans went full tilt and the smell of ozone filled the air, making me shut my computer down ASAP.

I knew I was already behind in the video card arena (I tend to upgrade piece-meal, until they get a mobo that won't take my other cards), but these video cards weren't doing the job.... and with "The Witcher 3" coming out at the time, I actually jumped on getting a GTX 970.

So I'm at the bare minimum of video cards that is required, and I have an AMD FX-8350 4.0GHz, at the time I got it, it was the best bang for the buck. Apparently it still is, thank the Gods.

Hopefully it won't cost too many PC game players to put too much more into their systems; but for those who don't, it is at least another $1000 to buy the PC needed to use it.

I really wish everyone could experience this though and there wasn't such a barrier to entry, but I think that will start wearing away over the next few years.

got my vive 2 days ago and my girlfriend has it at her place, Once I get free time I will set this up and see what all the hype is about. Will update in a few days and tell you if my $800 was a waste or not for the time being.

Does she know what it is or does she just have a 'box'? BTW, make sure you take a 'lot' of free time, because you'll be spending at least a few hours in hardware/software setup, in my case, it was resolving firmware issues, software updates, etc. I probably spent a solid work day in putting it all together, but I have to be honest, the end result was worth it.

Edit:

Make sure you go through the tutorial once or twice, if you end up spending about 15 minutes or so with the balloons, don't sweat it.

Definitely play "The Lab" (should be free) next, there are 8 mini-games, play them all to get acclimated. If you need a good workout and have your own playlist, I'll recommend Audioshield.

Trust me, on a 2D monitor these games look nothing like you'll experience in VR. When you get there, look around, look under things, look around things, walk over to the edge and wave out your arms, see what does (or doesn't) cast shadows. Face the fear of looking over the edge of a mountain knowing you're safe.

The technology isn't perfect with regards to replacing your eyeballs, but it's good enough for a good play in a space much larger than you're standing.

Yes, another draw back is the money, I'm saving up all I can for the next video card, and then the HTC Vive.
Also, if you own a smart phone, I think you get a feel of virtual reality pretty cheap with google card board or other phone based systems. I got one of these and played with it for a while, and this made me interested in the real thing.