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[MoonGred]

So looks like Australians are paying 1100 AUD.

 

[plagiarize]

Stop comparing it to other early tech. Content has to specifically be designed for this, cell phones, tvs, and even media devices (dvd/vcr/whatever) don't require anywhere near the same amount of work to create content for it.

You're talking like there isn't already a good chunk of content out or on the way.

 

[Emanuele]

I don't have the computer or the money for this, but I'm kind of happy that it cost this much. Oculus being a high quality product will be better for the long term future of VR than if it was a cheap product.

Now I just need arcades to still exist so I have somewhere to try it out.

Also I want a Mechwarrior game in VR, giant hulking mechs that move slowly, but complete freedom to look around from the pilots perspective would be awesome.

Check out THE VOID. They're making their own headset/tracking solutions but they're just the first ones who are actually getting funds to create a modern VR arcade.
Won't be long until more popup I think with OR or Vive

 

[Luke_Wal]

I mean, let's think about this. How much does a high-end PC monitor cost? $300-$400? Compared to that, this really doesn't seem like too huge a price jump!

 

[georly]

Remember when the first Kindle cost $400. Now $49.

I'm sure they're selling at a loss now (and obv tech is cheaper), but they make up for it in book sales. Hopefully oculus store works out for them and they make the money up on software sales if they subsidize in the future.


Seriously everyone. Be patient. New tech is expensive. Give it 5 years, add more competition into the mix, streamline the process, make the tech cheaper, bam, entry level VR will be 1/3 or 1/4 of what it is now.

 

[Ferrio]

You're talking like there isn't already a good chunk of content out or on the way.

There isn't. We know of 2 games that will ship with it, and a handful of games that might come during 2016.

We don't even know if the thing will work with Elite.

 

[LabouredSubterfuge]

Outside of very basic games, the Xbox One would really struggle to drive the Rift. It requires 90fps at 1080x1200 on 2 displays.

Valve gave some impression of the power required for high end VR:

 

[Bsigg12]

Effective.

 

[Hale-XF11]

Remember when the first Kindle cost $400. Now $49.

As another example, didn't the Nintendo 3DS drop significantly in price within its first year? Maybe we'll see the same thing happen with the Rift.

 

[Ninja Scooter]

Stop comparing it to other early tech, content has to specifically be designed for this. Cell phones, tvs, and even media devices (dvd/vcr/whatever) don't require anywhere near the same amount of work to create content for it.

So that first year of an App Store-less iPhone didn't happen?

 

[Wallach]

I mean, let's think about this. How much does a high-end PC monitor cost? $300-$400? Compared to that, this really doesn't seem like too huge a price jump!

Depends on what you mean by high-end. I'd say that particular segment is closer to starting at 700 USD right now though (and runs up through 1.5k USD).

 

[Vulcano's assistant]

people who can afford OR level PCs can easily afford it, it is an enthusiast product after all, considering how many high end PC components are sold, this is relatively cheap

Pretty much. The concept itself was very much for enthusiasts from very early on. So the surprises that some have for it not costing $300 seem almost as out of place as they would be on yearly Nvidia/AMD flagship card announcement threads.

The International price seems like a more than expected and reasonable complain, though.

 

[Mihos]

how much is it with Touch controllers bundled

I don't think controllers even have a price yet, all you get is a place in line for when they do come out.

http://www.engadget.com/2016/01/06/oculus-touch-preorder/

 

[Brokun]

I mean, let's think about this. How much does a high-end PC monitor cost? $300-$400? Compared to that, this really doesn't seem like too huge a price jump!

$600-$700 actually

 

[brownfedora]

Stop comparing it to other early tech, content has to specifically be designed for this. Cell phones, tvs, and even media devices (dvd/vcr/whatever) don't require anywhere near the same amount of work to create content for it.

Yeah I mean there aren't any VR demos from outlets like ABC, NASA, Hollywood, etc.

There is low-end VR that can drive content for now... this is a multi-year process, not a one product phenomenon.

It's far more important for it to be a good experience than for it to be cheap.

 

[cheezcake]

So looks like Australians are paying 1100 AUD.

Have you got confirmation? The whole thing is confusing. Every other region automatically adjusts the price to reflect local currency when they buy, and given Palmer Luckeys tweets that implies that our price is $781 AUD. But getting such a good deal just seems alien to us Australians.

 

[undecided]

The Xbox game streaming seems like a neat gimmick, I'll try it out. I am not expecting to see anything else ever come of that relationship though.

If a reasonable laptop can power things like that plus 3D video I can see some cool alternate use cases away from gaming on my primary desktop.

 

[oti]

whatever, fuck it, I'm in, fuck money

YES LET'S ENTER THE FUTAH!

Spoiler

I'm a poor student and jelly

 

[cRIPticon]

Stop comparing it to other early tech, content has to specifically be designed for this. Cell phones, tvs, and even media devices (dvd/vcr/whatever) don't require anywhere near the same amount of work to create content for it.

So? What does the amount of work to create content have to do with people complaining about the consumer price of the Oculus? People are complaining that the price has killed adoption. If the content is there, people will buy it.

 

[artsi]

Has it been mentioned somewhere if EU customers will get shipments from inside EU, or will they come from US?

 

[Plasmid]

So, vive higher or lower?

 

[Doc Holliday]

The thing that is confusing to me is that I thought the Facebook backing would prevent this high cost of entry.

From day one we've been told that the rift would be a mass market device. A lot revisionist history about it being an enthusiast device.

 

[Ray Down]

In what way (other than with the likely tiny intersect of consumers who own both a ps4 and a monster PC gaming rig) are these things in competition? Why would they be? If anything Sony and oculus and Valve are all rooting for each other. Some people view everything through these weird "console warz" lenses.

Pretty much all three companies want VR to succeed and to be good experiences, hell I swear Palmer has said nice things about Playstation VR and Vive.

 

[POWERSPHERE]

By the end of 2017, it'll be interesting to see the price points and who's still standing.

But for $850-$900 Australian, this is a bit much for now.

 

[cheezcake]

So, vive higher or lower?

Higher. Bet on it.

 

[Skux]

In what way (other than with the likely tiny intersect of consumers who own both a ps4 and a monster PC gaming rig) are these things in competition? Why would they be? If anything Sony and oculus and Valve are all rooting for each other. Some people view everything through these weird "console warz" lenses.

What utopia is this?

They are all competitors trying to get their foot in the door in an emerging market. They want VR to be successful... as long as it's their VR.

 

[BasilZero]

Dat price tag.

 

[Ferrio]

Yeah I mean there aren't any VR demos from outlets like ABC, NASA, Hollywood, etc.

There is low-end VR that can drive content for now... this is a multi-year process, not a one product phenomenon.

It's far more important for it to be a good experience than for it to be cheap.

You said it yourself, they're demos. If i wanted demos and cheap small games I'd stick with my GearVR.

 

[Occam]

Oculus Rift's current price contains a healthy dose of early adopter tax. If you anticipate that there being cheaper and better VR headsets available next year is going to make you feel buyers' remorse, then don't buy one now.

Personally, I'd feel better about buying a PSVR at this time, because I doubt that there'll be revisions with greatly altered specs during PS4s lifetime.

 

[plagiarize]

There isn't. We know of 2 games that will ship with it, and a handful of games that might come during 2016.

We don't even know if the thing will work with Elite.

I already own more than two games that will work with it. You only know of two games, but more than two games already support a new enough sdk to work with CV1.

 

[Doc Holliday]

So, vive higher or lower?

If htc is smart, lower.

 

[wanderingprostheyltite]

Yeah I mean there aren't any VR demos from outlets like ABC, NASA, Hollywood, etc.

There is low-end VR that can drive content for now... this is a multi-year process, not a one product phenomenon.

It's far more important for it to be a good experience than for it to be cheap.

Video content is some of my favorite media for VR, and even on Gear that has the most apps and videos available, the amount of quality content is sparse unfortunately. Lots of low res pixelated garbage that needs some quality control or cert to get onto the app store. 3D video isn't a must for VR as you can still be immersed but it goes a long ways, see any of the felix & paul produced videos.

 

[XiaNaphryz]

Early adoption is neat sometimes. My first dvd player was the size of a laser disc player.

My first CD-ROM drive used a disc caddy and was double speed! Prices ranged from $300-700 back in 1992/1993, I don't remember how much the one was in our top of the line 486DX2. Only a handful of games were out on CD at the time, many of which also had relatively high system requirements as well.

Our family was always early adopters growing up. Betamax VCRs, Laserdisc players, CD players, etc.

 

[WGMBY]

I was hesitant at the price, but then I decided "Fuck it". I knew I was getting a CV1 from the day I first put on my DK1. I know that later waves will be better, but I really want to be in the first wave. Glad I skipped the DK2 though.

 

[Froli]

FIVE HUNDRED AND NINETY NINE U.S. DOLLARS + SHIPPING!

But seriously, I was expecting this and it's going to be a rough early adaption

 

[Hale-XF11]

Bingo.

This is a long term game. The tech will always eventually be affordable to the mainstream, so the question is will it be desirable at that same point in time. They put the best possible tech they can out at a premium price knowing that it won't gather mainstream traction, but that the people who are able to grab it should have an overwhelmingly positive experience with it. Word of mouth travels and people are still interested in VR, so when the price does come down in a few years time they buy into it. The alternative is coming out with an inferior product at a lower price, people may like it but not love it, people may just downright dislike it. You'll get better 1st gen sales, but you could negatively affect sales performance of your future products.

That said I still think this price is above what they wanted, they seemed to be trying hard to hit $499. But in the end they weighed the affect on the user experience sacrificing parts to hit $499 would have, and decided to go with $599. Tales out of my ass but I think it's the most plausible explanation.

I'm betting you're right and it really makes the most sense. We have history to back it up too. We went through the same growing pains with the introduction of the VCR, CD and DVD, among other things. VR, if desirable, will reach mass market when the time is right.

 

[POWERSPHERE]

The thing that is confusing to me is that I thought the Facebook backing would prevent this high cost of entry.

From day one we've been told that the rift would be a mass market device. A lot revisionist history about it being an enthusiast device.

we all knew it was bullshit, Palmer probably didn't though

 

[ultrazilla]

So if I pre-order, will they charge my card immediately or wait until it ships? If they wait, I'll pre-order now and lock it in. Need to know asap! Thanks!

 

[LabouredSubterfuge]

So, vive higher or lower?

Higher.

 

[darkwing]

So, vive higher or lower?

samey if Valve is smart

 

[MoonGred]

Have you got confirmation? The whole thing is confusing. Every other region automatically adjusts the price to reflect local currency when they buy, and given Palmer Luckeys tweets that implies that our price is $781 AUD. But getting such a good deal just seems alien to us Australians.

No confirmation as of yet, I've sent them a support ticket but can't imagine it getting actioned soon.
The $781 seems way too good considering we'd be paying less than Americans before they add shipping costs.
The shipping is actually what really kills it for me.

 

[HowZatOZ]

Not sure how people see the PSVR being cheaper. Just like Rift you need a platform, so that's $250+ there just to use the device ($400+ here in Australia).

I'm getting one of the free ones for backing the Kickstarter but I do feel the pain for anyone that was looking forward to the first generation. Hopefully the second gen becomes far cheaper for consumers.

 

[BrettWeir]

So if I pre-order, will they charge my card immediately or wait until it ships? If they wait, I'll pre-order now and lock it in. Need to know asap! Thanks!

When it ships.

 

[troy-X]

Thinking of selling a kidney and/or my body to get one. My inbox's open.

 

[Alexlf]

So, vive higher or lower?

Higher for sure. Seeing as they are targeting the same benchmark as oculus quality wise and including the controller's, plus as they are missing the same subsidies that FB has for the parts. If not I'll be very surprised.

 

[Zacillac]

Cannot wait for March 28th (I made the March shipping group) since I just did some upgrades to the GPU department on my rig for this!

 

[Mihos]

Stop comparing it to other early tech, content has to specifically be designed for this. Cell phones, tvs, and even media devices (dvd/vcr/whatever) don't require anywhere near the same amount of work to create content for it.

Funniest part about this is, you are assuming gaming is the killer app. It is actually much more familiar media that is fricken killer (like sports, plays, stuff they show at sundance, etc)

Or you are too young to remember what passed as data service on the first data enabled phones, or when TV stations were racing for HD broadcasting (and the backlash against it)

 

[Exuro]

samey if Valve is smart

Valve won't be pricing it.

 

[Emanuele]

So, vive higher or lower?

HTC has the possibility to make it cheaper as it has already production chains setup in Taiwan.
It most definitely won't be cheaper though, as the Vive *shouldn't be* cheaper than the Rift. They are both high end VR systems.

 

[Doc Holliday]

Yeah I mean there aren't any VR demos from outlets like ABC, NASA, Hollywood, etc.

There is low-end VR that can drive content for now... this is a multi-year process, not a one product phenomenon.

It's far more important for it to be a good experience than for it to be cheap.

And what will be the incentive if the audience isn't there for this great content?

VR is a lot more expensive than getting a high res video camera for HD televisions.