Virtual Reality: HTC Vive, Oculus Rift, PS4 VR, and Gear VR

The next generation of gaming is here and it is termed as VR or virtual reality. This is where the gamer is taken off his chair and put in the middle of the game. You can walk, run, and move from side to side, use your hands and feet to do things in the game. All this is bringing in what had once been only science fiction fantasies. The video game players are overwhelmed with the magnitude of possibilities the virtual reality games can do. Best of all, virtual reality is gaining popularity by the day, simply because of its great possibilities which are not only for gaming. Close competitors for the VR headset market include HTC Vive, PlayStation VR, Oculus Rift, and Samsung Gear VR.

An Intro to Virtual Reality…

The best thing about Virtual Reality is that there are plenty of games to play, and applications to use. Most of the Virtual Reality games are action and adventure games. There are even special guns made for such games. The gun may be a little heavy to carry around for long periods at times, but it surely gives a more realistic feeling to action games on VR. Virtual reality games have already shown the signs to be the next step in gaming. The days when you sat on the sofa, glued to your monitor is over and now players are actually been dragged inside the games, making a revolutionary new step in the gaming world.

Adventure and survival games are another new frontiers in the virtual reality games. These games aim to allow you to move around, gather resources, fight off the occasional predator and enjoy the scenic beauty of the virtual world as you move on. The virtual world is boundless as it will let you fly from one solar system to the other and dive among the blue whales in the deep ocean, all from the comforts of your home.

The virtual reality gaming consoles like HTC Vive are just coming to the market. The industry is still at an early stage and there is a lot of room for improvement. However, the gaming community is already moving towards the virtual reality games. More and more game developers have recognized the power of virtual gaming and are allocating more of their resources to develop new games.

 

What is HTC Vive…

The HTC Vive, a new creation by HTC, is leading VR headset in the VR market. This VR headset allows you to play with your friends in a virtual environment. Just as the cost is a premium, the set-up for the Vive is easy and the gaming console works relatively smoothly, especially compared to the competitors. Not only is the Vive compatible with many games published on Steam VR, but it is the most popular of all headsets. With more popularity for the headset, you can expect more firmware updates and a longer period before obsoletion. Moreover, you can buy a lot of third party accessories to attach to the headset in order to enhance your gaming experiences. Most of these accessories are actually priced at a lower rate and will be a nice combination to the main console.

The Oculus Rift VR…

Started out as one of the first game VR headsets, the Oculus Rift was the pioneer personal VR headset in the market. With funding through a Kickstarter in 2012, the Oculus Rift is one of the most popular VR headsets. However, due to this, the Oculus has been in development and released in 2016 by Facebook. Just like other popular VR headsets, the Oculus also comes with a lot of accessories such as a Remote, a Fitting gear, Sensors and even Earphones. However, unlike HTC Vive, the Oculus Rift does not come with a camera built into the headset which means you are unable to use the Oculus Rift for augmented reality. But take care, to use VR, you must also be tethered to a high-end PC to render the virtual reality, which means you can move only in a limited space. But just as this console is expensive, and needs a set-up, means it should be only used for those serious about gaming, otherwise a different option for VR should be considered.

The PlayStation VR…

The first of many, the PlayStation VR is one of the first gaming consoles to implement VR as part of the console. Moreover, it is easier and cheaper to purchase and set-up, unlike other options. Best of all, you only need to have a PS4 VR-ready console to run the VR games. Furthermore, PS4 boasts many VR-ready games, and many of them are adventure games too. Although the PlayStation 4 is one of the first consoles to implement VR, it also means that VR has a long way to go, which may simply mean it will most likely be revamped in the coming years to include even more features which are found in HTC Vive or Oculus Rift. The PlayStation Network also offers many VR exclusives, and although there are games you can play on the VR, it is not as expansive as the Steam VR network. The PlayStation VR is a great option for the casual gamers who are looking to play and not spend an arm-and-leg on buying extra equipment. Of course, all the equipment you need is a PS4 that is VR ready.

 

 

What is Samsung Gear VR…

Meant for tech enthusiasts who just want to experience VR, the Samsung Gear VR is not intended for heavy gaming. Although when Samsung Gear is compared to the HTC Vive and PlayStation VR, the Gear comes out at the end, it also comes with certain disadvantages not found in other VR headsets. For example, the Samsung Gear VR is a wireless option, meanwhile, other consoles tend to be wired to prevent latency issues. The Samsung Gear does not come with positional tracking, which means the gaming experience is not the most optimal. Furthermore, the Samsung Gear operates using a mobile device for rendering, which also means the extent of your gaming could also be limited. But this does not mean the Samsung Gear is bad, it simply means it is not as specialized as other VR headsets. Furthermore, considering the price of the Gear compared to the other VR headsets, you might be able to use the headset as a gateway into the VR world. This can help you choose whether to invest in a higher-end gear if you prefer the style of gaming.

 

 

Games for VR…

 

The Steam VR remains a good place to start as you enter the VR gaming. Here you can buy new games of your liking. The Steam VR Home is everything from social sharing to game management and full pledged virtual reality. Here one can have a virtual reality interface, a true advancement from the classic user interface of Steam. For the other systems such as PS4, the PlayStation Network offers a great amount of VR games. Finally, the Samsung Gear also offers some games that are on HTC Vive, however, the list remains to be limited for the time being.

 

So why wait for more? Go ahead and order your first VR console today itself and jump into the exciting world of virtual reality gaming.

 

 

 

 

Comparison:

We discuss the following headsets are organized in a way ranking the best (ignoring the price) VR headsets…

 

Rank	Name	Expanse Gaming Options	Special Hardware Needed	Features	Price	Buy now
1	HTC Vive	1	1	- Extra Accessories available - Positional tracking - Motion Controls - Built-in Headphones - 110° FoV - 90 Hz - Room-Scale	-
2	Oculus Rift	1	1	- Extra Accessories available - Positional tracking - Motion Controls (Extra-cost) - Built-in Headphones - 110° FoV - 90 Hz - Room-Scale	-
3	PlayStation 4 VR	1	0	- Extra Accessories available - Positional tracking - Motion Controls (Extra-cost) - Built-in Headphones - 100° FoV - 120 Hz / 90 Hz - Room-Scale	$446.79
4	Samsung Gear VR	0	0	- Motion Controls (Extra-cost) - Built-in Headphones - 101° FoV - Battery-operated	$85.00

 

 

photo credit: Simon Blackley In a world of his own.  (license)

photo credit: Jonas Tana Arcada Eyesight Simulator (AVES). (license)

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Gaming Mouse: Your Weapon of Choice

For those who love to wage war using their PCs, usually, the weapon of choice is the keyboard, mouse, and headset. While the keyboard is important to add depth to your gaming arsenal, it can be usually replaced with other pieces of hardware in gaming such as video game controllers. The gaming mouse, on the other hand, is a key piece in most PC games, giving you precise control over your character while allowing for an immersive experience; especially in the genre of first-person shooters. With gaming becoming not only a hobby but a competitive sport, players and hobbyists alike have demanded specialized computer mice that are created to provide them with superior precision, balance and greater control while being able to handle rough usage patterns of modern-day gamers – and thus the gaming mouse was born!

What Should You Look For in a Gaming Mouse?

A gaming mouse, while similar in functionality to a regular mouse, is constructed in a slightly different fashion than a regular computer mouse. While most computer mice feature an LED with an optical sensor to detect the position of the cursor in relation to the underlying surface such as a mouse pad, a gaming mouse usually features a low-powered laser light that tracks the change in position to give you an unprecedented level of control and precision. Gaming mice also feature additional buttons that control the precision of laser, as well as other buttons that can be used to provide various commands to the game. Since gamers are known for their extended use of the computer, the gaming mouse is constructed with superior ergonomics in mind, with extensions to place the thumb as well as a patterned body to easily grip the object with the palm.

Wireless vs. Wired?

Most traditional computer mice were wired in nature since a wired mouse ensured superior transfer of data. With the advent of wireless technology such as Bluetooth in modern computers and laptops, gaming mice are now available as both wired and wireless models. Most wireless gaming mice use Bluetooth connectivity, due to the simple fact that it can be used across a wide range of devices without the need of installing additional drivers. High-end wireless gaming mice feature a wireless dongle that connects to the hardware using a proprietary interface to provide superior connectivity. When it comes to gaming, split-second decisions are extremely important, and therefore, latency is an important issue with gamers of all genres. A wireless gaming mouse traditionally has a higher latency compared to its wired counterpart and is therefore at a disadvantage. However, with certain mice, you get the ability to connect wirelessly whenever and use a wired connection whenever. Giving you the ultimate flexibility to suit your playing style. The ubiquity of USB has ensured that wired gaming mice are compatible with most computers and laptops across a wide range of operating systems, including Windows, Mac OS, Linux, and others.

 

Light or heavy?

As you gave, the weight of the mouse can be an important aspect of your gaming. You may prefer heavier mice over lighter mice for their stability and control. However, you may sometimes deal with games and applications that do not require a high degree of stability. Which is where mice weight-adjustment comes into play. The great thing about gaming mice is that newer models of gaming mice tend to have the ability to customize the weight of the mouse. A well-known method of weight adjustment is to use a small cartridge filled with miniature weights and is pushed into a slot in the mouse. However, a little-known secret to some is that you can use a single battery with your mouse instead of the two. To make your mouse lighter, you simply place only a single battery in any of the two slots, and the mouse will function normally.

Which Gaming Mouse To Choose?

When it comes to choosing a gaming mouse, the market is flooded with various types of devices – ranging from those created for novices to those built for experts in the field of e-Sports. As technology evolved, more and more features are continuously being added to these devices. Here is a list of some of the best gaming mice you can buy. We will display a list you can easily sort, and for extra details, you may scroll down further.

 

Rank	Name	DPI	Wireless	Warranty	Extra features	Price	Buy now link
1	ASUS ROG Gladius	6,400	0	1 Year (Asus)	- Detachable Braided wires - Multi-profile* - 2 Side-press buttons	$54.99
2	Razer Diamondback	16,000	0	2 Years (Razer)	- RGB Lighting* - Ambidextrous - 7 Programmable Buttons* - 1,000 Hz Poll rate*	$37.02
3	BenQ ZOWIE	3,200	0	1 Year (BenQ)	- 1,000 Hz Poll rate* - 2 Side-press buttons	$59.99
4	Corsair Gaming SCIMITAR	12,000	0	2 Years (Corsair)	- 12 Mechanical Side Switches - Four-Zone RGB* - Key-slider system - 1ms Response time - Multi-profile*	$48.00
5	Logitech G500s	8,200	0	3 Years (Logitech)	- Tunable Weight - 10 Programmable Buttons* - Dual-scroll modes	$65.00
6	Logitech G700s	8,200	1	3 Years (Logitech)	- Full speed USB or Wireless (optional) - 13 Programmable Buttons* - Rechargeable with USB cable (provided) - Dual-scroll modes - Extra USB extension (provided) - Multi-profile	$59.99
7	Logitech G203	6,000	0	3 Years (Logitech)	- 6 Programmable Buttons* - On-board memory - RGB Lighting*	$39.99
8	Logitech G502 Proteus Spectrum	12,000	0	3 Years (Logitech)	- RGB Lighting - Tunable Weight - 11 Programmable Buttons*	-

 

Razer Diamondback Chroma

This model is touted by Razer as an ambidextrous mouse and is built for both right-handed and left-handed players. The mouse has a distinctive Razer RGB LED panel across the sides to illuminate during darkness, as well as an astounding 16,000 DPI (Dots per Inch) resolution for best-in-class precision. The rubber grips along the sides ensure top notch grip during swipes and lift-offs – irrespective of your grip style and gaming style.

BenQ Zowie EC1-A

While not looking like a traditional gaming mouse with sharp edges and vibrant colors, the Zowie is one preferred by e-Sports enthusiasts all over the world. The mouse is built to perfection, with superior construction all round, giving a nice fit across a wide variety of palm sizes. The smooth exterior has a satin-like texture for superior grip, with perfectly placed buttons and scroll wheel too with precise movement at each stop. The Pixart sensor is considered to be one of the very best in the market, and it provides almost zero acceleration and perfect tracking accuracy. The lack of additional drivers and plug-and-play nature of the product allows you to use it virtually everywhere, and in every scenario. At only 91 grams, the BenQ Zowie is one of the lightest gaming mouse available in the market today.

Corsair Gaming SCIMITAR RGB

This gaming mouse from Corsair is built for those who love the role-playing genre, and it certainly feels like a one. At nearly 300 grams, the mouse is one of the heaviest in the market for an excellent feel while playing extended MMORPG sessions, while also acting as a great companion for first-person shooters. If you love to take your hands off the keyboard, the 9 programmable mechanical macro switches on the side give you an unprecedented level of control of your gaming environment. With a 12,000 DPI sensor, the mouse is built to provide fast tracking and excellent precision across the board in every situation.

ASUS ROG Gladius

One of the newest entrants in the gaming hardware scene, Taiwanese hardware manufacturing giant ASUS has come up with a unique mouse that incorporates the best features of other gaming mice available in the market while adding subtle touches that improve and enhance its appeal among hardcore and casual gamers alike. A 2000 Hz USB polling rate ensures that the mouse is always in sync with what is happening on your screen, providing nearly zero latency. The gaming mouse features a removable cable to protect against sudden disconnections while gaming. A highly precise 6400 DPI sensor adds excellent precision with superior tracking and the onboard software lets you control virtually every aspect of the gaming mouse with ease.

Logitech G203

The innovators of the concept of gaming mice, the Logitech G203is the successor to its predecessor, the G1. The G203 adds variable sensor changes off the fly for excellent accuracy and pinpoint precision. The gaming mouse is constructed in a manner similar to classic computer mice, foregoing the excess baggage of straight-edged design for a simple and fluid design that is comfortable for both e-Sports professionals as well as novices. One of the most important features of the G203 is the presence of onboard memory that allows you to save the mouse settings and use it on any computer, without the need to reprogram it every time you plug it into a different machine.

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