The Oculus Rift has been in development for years now. The highly successful crowd-funded-project-turned-massive-Facebook-investment, the poster child of VR has existed long enough without word of a consumer release date. Last week it was confirmed that 2015 wouldn’t be the year for the Rift, but today brought about a little better news.
In a blog post on the official website, Oculus have revealed that the first consumer version of their Rift VR headset will hit shelves sometime in the first quarter of 2016. There’s still no word on how it will differ from the already mysterious Crescent Bay prototype, but Oculus have promised to reveal all in the following weeks.
That will kick off with technical specifications for the last version of the Rift next week. Reveals for built-for-VR experiences and games will follow, as well as more details required required specifications for platforms and exclusive titles.
“In the weeks ahead, we’ll be revealing the details around hardware, software, input, and many of our unannounced made-for-VR games and experiences coming to the Rift. Next week, we’ll share more of the technical specifications here on the Oculus blog.”
Earlier this year Oculus founder Luckey Palmer stated that it would take something incredible bad to derail a 2015 release date – a statement which he then clarified at a later date. Oculus has had their roadmap changed thanks to the financial influence of Facebook, which has lead to a far greater scope for the project.
A early 2016 release, however, puts it in direct competition with Sony’s own VR headset, Project Morpheus. That might have a major impact on the Rift’s footprint on the PS4 – although we all know how estimated release dates tend to go the closer we get to them.
Last Updated: May 6, 2015
Ottokie
May 6, 2015 at 15:39
I sincerely hope this is as good as all the hype claims it to be… Will look forward to playing Elite Dangerous or Star Citizen with Oculus.
BacchusZA
May 6, 2015 at 21:06
Elite Dangerous is evidently pretty much *the* game to show what an OR can do, & I can’t imagine SC will be much different. I’m really looking foward to playing both in VR.
Admiral Chief
May 6, 2015 at 15:40
https://stephennagel.files.wordpress.com/2014/10/rift-comic.jpg
Admiral Chief
May 6, 2015 at 15:40
http://imgace.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/2013-the-dawn-of-wearable-computing.jpg
Sirgwardo
May 6, 2015 at 19:49
Oh look, I found the oil filter
Admiral Chief
May 6, 2015 at 15:41
http://www.doolwind.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/facebookoculus.jpg
Corrie
May 6, 2015 at 15:48
Please press the like button in order to continue
Would you like to post this to your wall?
NO!
Posting to wall
And I don’t know about Valve’s since sooner or later I’ll have to pay
Captain JJ Fantasticus
May 6, 2015 at 15:53
Imagine an EA virtual device.
– Purchaseable colour option DLC, different to the black&white release version
– Purchaseable high def DLC
– Head-strap not included
– Cable only 30cm long
– HDMI cable optional (at extra cost)
– Purchasable skins, for those who want theirs to look different
– Only EA headphones are compatible (and not included)
Blood Emperor Trevor
May 6, 2015 at 15:54
You forgot annual releases & incompatible with previous editions.
Captain JJ Fantasticus
May 6, 2015 at 15:55
Oh yes yes. Of course.
And it requires Origin to run.
Corrie
May 6, 2015 at 16:00
The horror of imaging that, thankfully I have a VR headset to see it virtually
But you forgot Premium Edition available way before launch and EA access
Oh and the F2P mechanics allow you to instantly recharge the battery at 10 gold which costs $100 for a bucked of 1000
Hammersteyn
May 6, 2015 at 15:48
^This
Corrie
May 6, 2015 at 15:51
Because this
Hammersteyn
May 6, 2015 at 15:56
Accidental stabbing incoming
Corrie
May 6, 2015 at 15:58
Hey! that’s reserved for Ubisoft’s marketing for Assassin’s Creed XXV in 2016 now with added VR
Captain JJ Fantasticus
May 6, 2015 at 15:57
Finally the poke function will be worth using
SargonTheBatpandaOfTI5
May 6, 2015 at 15:49
Of one thing I’m sure. This is going to change the game in so many ways. It’s really going to have a significant impact. It’ll change the industry forever.
Porn will just never be the same again after this.
Blood Emperor Trevor
May 6, 2015 at 15:53
Will definitely need a UPS for when load shedding hits, or doesn’t hit, um…
Hammersteyn
May 6, 2015 at 15:52
http://img-9gag-fun.9cache.com/photo/aObxVW2_460sa.gif
Dutch Matrix
May 6, 2015 at 16:00
Does it ship with a puke bucket?
Captain JJ Fantasticus
May 6, 2015 at 16:00
Only for the re-release of AC Black Flag.
CuddlesaurusRex
May 6, 2015 at 16:05
‘Twould be awesome to play Wolfenstein with this.