The first Oculus developer Kit was financed by kickstarer; apt as it very much kickstarted the new VR revolution. They were available to developers at a reasonable $300, and were rather quickly snapped up. And now, the second, infinitely better developer kit is available – for just $50 more.
“The second development kit features many of the key technical breakthroughs and core elements of the consumer Rift including a low-persistence, high-definition display and precise, low-latency positional head tracking,” said the company in a mail.
“DK2 isn’t identical to the consumer Rift, but the fundamental building blocks for great VR are there. All the content developed using DK2 will work with the consumer Rift. And while the overall experience still needs to improve before it’s consumer-ready, we’re getting closer everyday — DK2 is not the Holodeck yet, but it’s a major step in the right direction.
Spec-wise, the new developer kit features the new Crystal Cove update for better positional head tracking – and seems to align pretty closely to Sony’s newly announced Project Morpheus virtual reality kit. The newer Rift’s actual screens are a little larger at 5.6 inches to Sony’s 5 inch screens, but right now Sony’s headset offers better full-body positional tracking thanks to move integration.
“DK2 features a 1080p display, as well as the Crystal Cove camera with improved head-tracking. It also weighs 440 grams, which make its lighter than the first dev kit,” added the firm.
“Like the Crystal Cove prototype, DK2 uses a low persistence OLED display to eliminate motion blur and judder, two of the biggest contributors to simulator sickness. Low persistence also makes the scene appear more visually stable, increasing the potential for presence. The high-definition 960×1080 per-eye display reduces the screen-door effect and improves clarity, color, and contrast.
“DK2 also integrates precise, low-latency positional head tracking using an external camera that allows you to move with 6-degrees-of-freedom and opens up all sorts of new gameplay opportunities like peering around corners, leaning in to get a closer look at objects in the world, and kicking back on a virtual beach.”
Sony’s Morpheus is actually a good thing for the rift; if developers are willing to make VR games for Sony’s system, those games will likely get rift support – and Vice Versa. Rift’s John Carmack though, warns to keep Morpheus expectations in check.
Calibrate PS4 VR expectations: a game that ran 60 fps on PS3 could be done in VR (stereo 1080 MSAA low latency 60 fps) on PS4.
— John Carmack (@ID_AA_Carmack) March 19, 2014
Carmack later clarified that he wasn’t “sniping” at the PS4, saying that:
“That wasn’t sniping; I think PS4 is a great platform, sufficient to drive VR. People just need to understand the demands.”
Either way, with two VR platforms – and Microsoft possibly set to jump on the bandwagon – we could be set to see VR revolutionise gaming this generation. Or just become the latest fad.
Last Updated: March 20, 2014
Ricardo Harvey
March 20, 2014 at 11:14
Anyone in SA order one yet?
TiMsTeR1033
March 20, 2014 at 11:24
Saw one at the make game expo not long a ago. Rincethis was @ ct one and even used Oculus Rift.
oVg deprived
March 20, 2014 at 11:30
Only Zuma can afford one.
Rince
March 20, 2014 at 11:44
Not the new one. Tried the first kit, was heavy and made me feel slightly ill after just 5 minutes of use, probably because I was in a rollercoaster simulator.
Ricardo Harvey
March 20, 2014 at 12:06
LOL, that means its working right?
iAmWeasel
March 20, 2014 at 11:23
At least the Sony one looks like a piece of tech.. this thing looks like a piece of scuba gear.
oVg deprived
March 20, 2014 at 11:29
sorted.
Rince
March 20, 2014 at 11:45
HAHAHAHA
Unavengedavo(aka. Bilbo)
March 20, 2014 at 12:27
I like Virtualgirl more 😀
oVg deprived
March 20, 2014 at 13:05
Master Chief agrees.
Alien Emperor Trevor
March 20, 2014 at 12:48
Don’t listen to them, you’re a REAL BOY.
Rags
March 20, 2014 at 11:38
Can’t wait to get my hands on one. This with UE4 means I can walk around in world that I create. 😀
Unavengedavo(aka. Bilbo)
March 20, 2014 at 12:42
So then you can truly get lost in your own little world? 😀
Rags
March 20, 2014 at 12:56
Exactly! 😀 Its going to be epic!
Rags
March 20, 2014 at 13:01
I should add, I am not going to be alone. Tali and Liara are going to be in there too 😉
geelslang
March 20, 2014 at 12:43
You planing on buying a dev kit? I want to, but then I also want to wait for the consumer version. I wish they would give an estimate release date for the consumer product. I really hope its before chrismas.
Rags
March 20, 2014 at 12:58
Yeah, I am also undecided. I know I should wait for the consumer version. But oh man, this is oh so tempting!
Mighty Meh
March 20, 2014 at 13:13
I know how you feel, if the dollar went back to 7.5 I would probably get one!
For now, or at least until some more games support it, I think I will hold out. Although if someone here gets one and raves about it I might buckle.
geelslang
March 20, 2014 at 14:28
Im using the money I was going to spend on a new xbox or ps before I realised how weak these new consoles are. Its going to be a double bill for me, an oculus rift and a shiny new 800 series geforce card.
Mighty Meh
March 20, 2014 at 14:34
You should definitely give us a review!