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Would bundling VR with consoles have made it a success?

Romulus

Member
Probably not, but a console can't replicate the successful VR business model that has proven to work. Wireless standalone. The chipsets are getting very powerful. People talked about the switch being a little powerhouse at its release, but VR games are pushing 90fps at high resolutions. I think this fall people will be very surprised what Quest 3 games can do without being anchored to Quest 2.

Not to mention the added PCVR option. Works with any gaming rig for high end visuals too.
 
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onQ123

Member
VR is successful for Quest .

For powerful consoles VR is too overwhelming to be used everyday I said this years ago MR or Full Room VR could work but taking people completely away from reality is something for a themepark or Arcade .
 

Fbh

Member
Doubt it.
One of the main appeal of consoles for a lot of people is the price. Even if the bundle was a bit cheaper than buying both separately you'd still be looking at like $900 which isn't going to appeal to most people. And if that's the only option available for purchase it will basically be DOA.

I still think the best chance for VR is for all (or most) manufacturers to unify their designs and compatibility, treat it more like a TV or projector than a console. Make a quest 4 that's compatible day 1 with PC, Ps5, Standalone and whatever other platform that supports VR, make a PSVR3 (if they even bother) that's compatile day 1 with Ps5, Ps6(?), PC, etc.
 

Geometric-Crusher

"Nintendo games are like indies, and worth at most $19" 🤡
History has shown us that bundling accessories with a console only works if the accessory is as cheap as $15 otherwise people wonder if the accessory is stealing money and processing power. I'd like a light gun with a realistic look, but many countries have laws that restrict this.
 
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tr1p1ex

Member
Only if you're Nintendo. And the cost to include it is neglible.
71GJ0uwXe1L._AC_SL1500_.jpg
 

Dacvak

No one shall be brought before our LORD David Bowie without the true and secret knowledge of the Photoshop. For in that time, so shall He appear.
Only if you're Nintendo. And the cost to include it is neglible.
71GJ0uwXe1L._AC_SL1500_.jpg

I’ve been thinking about this for a couple years, but I think it would be cool if the Switch 2 was VR-compatible, but not in the way you’re thinking

I think it would be awesome if Nintendo utilized the low-latency P2P streaming tech of the Wii U with the next Switch, and offered a “dumb” wireless headset peripheral for $99-$199. The only thing the headset would have are screens and sensors, but all of the processing would still be done on the Switch 2 device (whether docked, or sitting your backpack/pocket).

You’d use the new JoyCons as controllers, and maybe there’d be a better strap thing you could connect to them. This way, the Switch 2 could be an optional VR system with an ULTRA-light headset sold for super cheap.

That’s my dream.
 
The success of VR will be all about the software + low cost headset options.

I wish the studios would roll the dice more on third-person VR as that could be more easily integrated into existing games. Hitman VR would have been more interesting if they had gone with a camera more like Hellblade VR.
 
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Three

Member
I think it would be awesome if Nintendo utilized the low-latency P2P streaming tech of the Wii U with the next Switch, and offered a “dumb” wireless headset peripheral for $99-$199. The only thing the headset would have are screens and sensors, but all of the processing would still be done on the Switch 2 device (whether docked, or sitting your backpack/pocket).
Isn't this what PC VR headsets and PSVR2 essentially does already but with a PC or PS? I think you're severely underestimating the cost of such devices.
 

DonkeyPunchJr

World’s Biggest Weeb
No, I still firmly believe that console gamers want to spend the vast majority of their gaming time sitting on their couch with a gamepad, looking at a normal ass screen.
 

SScorpio

Member
Isn't this what PC VR headsets and PSVR2 essentially does already but with a PC or PS? I think you're severely underestimating the cost of such devices.
Yes, but those are wired. The Vive had a wireless adapter, and the Quests can do wireless, but they are all also standalone.

The drawback of wireless is you need a battery and some level of processing to receive and display the picture. That adds heat and weight. Maybe the future of VR are more sunglass size devices like the XReal, but they have a wired connection to a battery and processing you can easily hang from your waist rather than from your face. Would that make the future of VR be the gaming fanny pack?
 

Three

Member
Yes, but those are wired. The Vive had a wireless adapter, and the Quests can do wireless, but they are all also standalone.
Wouldn't that be even more expensive though? I'm not trying to say it wouldn't be cool to have but to me the "just sensors and a screen with processing done on another machine" wouldn't amount to $199 since that's what PC and PS VR is already but costs a lot more.
 
Nope. The issue is that VR requires games built for it. VR should be like the portal, Inexpensive hardware (relatively speaking) to enhance the immersion of "flat games".
 

Banjo64

cumsessed
No.

The 20m PS5 users who only play CoD and FIFA every year have no interest in playing video games with a big white brick strapped to their head. Nor do I, and most other people. That’s just a fact.

The games will not come, because developers’ time is better served to the 200m regular console players plus PC market.
 

StreetsofBeige

Gold Member
Wouldn’t work. Kinect bombed and that was only an extra $100.

Just imagine Sony trying to promote PS5 and VR2 for $1000 US or $1300 CDN.

Even if the content was better it’s still be niche. A lot of people just don’t want a brick on the face gaming. The vast majority of people using tech and PC and console just want a straightforward way to use it at a budget price. There’s only so many people who want to stand there in the middle of their living room waving their arms and pretending to shoot like a wii game.

I bet almost all of you use a normal flat keyboard and mouse. Some will have better ones than others but hardly any of you will have th use neon light ultra ergonomic peripherals which look crazy, but fully featured and $200+. How many people have $150-200 elite console gamepads? Not that many.
 
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nemiroff

Gold Member
Bundling Kinect with Xbox didn't help
Bundling a banana with a bee also wouldn't help. But idk what any of it has to do with VR.

And to op: No it wouldn't really do much difference for the PSVR2. The challenges goes deeper than that. It's more of a timing, form factor and maturity issue. The honeymoon factor was already in place after the PSVR1 was released.
 
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StreetsofBeige

Gold Member
No.

The 20m PS5 users who only play CoD and FIFA every year have no interest in playing video games with a big white brick strapped to their head. Nor do I, and most other people. That’s just a fact.

The games will not come, because developers’ time is better served to the 200m regular console players plus PC market.
How many people bought Sony move back in the day to play killzone shooting it like an assault rifle? Hardly anyone.
 

MrRenegade

Banned
VR will only take off once brain/nerve stimulation is already solved. Watch Strange Days. Something like that tech would suffice.
 

adamsapple

Or is it just one of Phil's balls in my throat?
No, it would have increased the base console price too much out of most general buyers zone.
 

Alexios

Cores, shaders and BIOS oh my!
It is a success. With Quest and its ilk it's down to comfortable consumer prices with increasing market reach while providing fans more great content than they can consume (great as in something that feels polished and fun rather than a struggling against the tech prototype, granted it will naturally improve with time just like other mediums did but we are far from something like 80s vidya gaems vs modern stuff and more on par with modern stuff we know are gonna improve, that phase did come in the actual 80s and 90s for VR too but the tech was definitely not there and wasn't enough for compelling, comfortable experiences with bulky CRT helmets, limited controls and more limited tech under the hood that could barely drive standard games). That it's not the most successful medium or on par with the heavy hitters yet doesn't mean much. That it's not the matrix or whatever sci fi scenario doesn't mean it's not there yet (as trolls say) any more than previous/current consoles you've enjoyed (and can revisit) more than enough and didn't find them shit just because they haven't reached photo realism or whatever is next in tech. VR is great/got there since ~2016 (yes, pre-Alyx).​
 
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april6e

Member
No, because people aren't going to pay $800-900 for a bundled console. The solution, as it always has been, is to release good games. If you release an incredible game, people will pay any price to experience it.

Halo 1 singlehandedly sold the original xbox like gangbusters, despite the fact that the console barely had any other good games. If they release multiple games on PSVR2 that get 90+ metacritic, more people will believe in VR. At the moment, there is no "Halo 1" for any VR system, PC or console.
 
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Kabelly

Member
one dev will just need to really suck it up and put their money where there mouth. the problem with VR is there is no system sellers. There can't just be Half Life Alyx. Don't get me wrong I'm sure there's a lot of fun games and fun experiences on VR right now but there needs to be more.
 
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tr1p1ex

Member
I’ve been thinking about this for a couple years, but I think it would be cool if the Switch 2 was VR-compatible, but not in the way you’re thinking

I think it would be awesome if Nintendo utilized the low-latency P2P streaming tech of the Wii U with the next Switch, and offered a “dumb” wireless headset peripheral for $99-$199. The only thing the headset would have are screens and sensors, but all of the processing would still be done on the Switch 2 device (whether docked, or sitting your backpack/pocket).

You’d use the new JoyCons as controllers, and maybe there’d be a better strap thing you could connect to them. This way, the Switch 2 could be an optional VR system with an ULTRA-light headset sold for super cheap.

That’s my dream.
But then you're back to the problem of having to get customers to buy that extra peripheral which historically has never worked out. And something approaching $200 gets into Quest 2 pricepoint territory which only makes it a tougher sell.

The beauty of it in the box is VR sneaks into every Switch 2 household. And voila, you have a massive VR install base via a trojan horse.

Labo VR was the proof of concept.
 

SF Kosmo

Banned
No, the problem isn't really about getting the hardware out there, it's a content issue. There just isn't the amount of big substantial games needed to keep people consistently engaged in a platform.
 

Wonko_C

Member
Bundling Kinect with Xbox didn't help
Being $100 more than the PS4 and marketed as "TV TV TV" while also having the "brilliant" idea to make ownership checks for physical media every 24h hours (thank goodness that didn't end up happening, but the damage was done) buried it. If those things didn't happen Kinect would've probably done better.

No.

The 20m PS5 users who only play CoD and FIFA every year have no interest in playing video games with a big white brick strapped to their head. Nor do I, and most other people. That’s just a fact.

The games will not come, because developers’ time is better served to the 200m regular console players plus PC market.
I wonder how many of those would change their minds after experiencing games on that brick. I know changed my tune once I tried it. Now I can't go back to TV gaming.

Wouldn’t work. Kinect bombed and that was only an extra $100.

Just imagine Sony trying to promote PS5 and VR2 for $1000 US or $1300 CDN.

Even if the content was better it’s still be niche. A lot of people just don’t want a brick on the face gaming. The vast majority of people using tech and PC and console just want a straightforward way to use it at a budget price. There’s only so many people who want to stand there in the middle of their living room waving their arms and pretending to shoot like a wii game.

I bet almost all of you use a normal flat keyboard and mouse. Some will have better ones than others but hardly any of you will have th use neon light ultra ergonomic peripherals which look crazy, but fully featured and $200+. How many people have $150-200 elite console gamepads? Not that many.
I keep wondering what the hell is wrong with the rest of people who don't want to do that.

VR will only take off once brain/nerve stimulation is already solved. Watch Strange Days. Something like that tech would suffice.
Then it will no longer be VR but something else. And no thanks, I don't want to lie down in bed like a vegetable while everything happens in my imagination. I am already sedentary enough when I play video games. (including sit-down VR games.)
 
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coffinbirth

Member
How many people bought Sony move back in the day to play killzone shooting it like an assault rifle? Hardly anyone.
I bought that, AND this fucking thing.

hqdefault.jpg

I also bought the PSVR Aim gun peripheral, which was actually quite sweet, but also disgustingly underutilized. PSVR2 needs one of these, honestly.
images

Had the Menacer as a kid too, haha. Love that shit.
 

kungfuian

Member
If it's not wireless and stand alone it's dead in the water based on their last x2 attempts. The Meta Quest model is the way. Make a stand alone device that is not reliant on external hardware but can pair to a PS5/6 for certain games for that extra umph, and it has to be wireless or no go.

Plus they really need to have their big games with VR modes out of the box. Don't care if they are native VR experiences or not. If they are unable to leverage the strength of their IP what's the point. Get some VR port studios to make it happen or don't even bother.
 

Haint

Member
It actually would have been a very good way to profit from the early years shortages and fend off scalpers. Could have devoted the majority of PS5 units to forced $1000 VR bundles.
 
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Nope. Wired, bulky, built for isolation gameplay and VERY expensive. I say that as a VR2/Quest 2/3 owner plus older PCVR headsets. Once it's glasses size, wireless (or at least wired to a belt pack) and <$250, then I think normal folks will start to give it a try.
 

digital_ghost

Gold Member
Put them in cereal boxes.
Tonight on dateline news:

Thousands of lucky charm cereal boxes have been stolen nationwide from grocery stores. Cops are confounded as to why thief's would steal a $4 cereal box.

Today Lucky the Leprechaun came forward to say this. "They after me lucky charms."
 

Robb

Gold Member
Yes, assuming Ps5 would still sell as well with VR as its main feature you’d have 60M VR headsets out there by now.

It’d be the best selling VR headset by a very wide margin iirc. Which would in turn make developers investments in VR games a lot more feasible.
 
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ZehDon

Member
VR is already successful, just not in the console space. After the success of PSVR, Sony effectively offloaded support for PSVR2 on to third party developers and walked away. No PSVR backward compatibility, no PC platform support, virtually no first party support. Add in the enormous cost for the tethered device against the market-dominant stand-alone devices, and it's clear Sony either expected it to fail, or, expected it to sell on the PlayStation name alone. Sony's strategy this gen has been to charge more, give less. They want to establish themselves as an Apple-esque brand, where its cost more because its "premium". Given this approach, Sony wouldn't have offered much of a discount for a PSVR2 bundle. AUD$850.00 for the console, AUD$850.00 for the headset is already AUD$1700.00. Sony probably would've thrown in that Horizon game no one gives a shit about and slapped AUD$1650.00 on it and called it a day. In that context, no, the bundle wouldn't have done shit.

Step away from PlayStation, and you'll find that VR is slowly chugging along as a pretty successful platform. It's niche, sure, but strapping a computer to one's face was always going to be a niche prospect. VR is doing just fine.
 
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Fess

Member
Maybe a little but the main problem is still that AAA devs don’t care about VR. All we get is lower budget experimental titles instead of the next big budget mainline Elder Scrolls and GTA and COD in VR. And nobody can do multiple platforms. It’ll just result in lower tier B teams working on the smaller platform and gamers want the A teams.
 
No because most people do not want to put on a vr headset when gaming. Gaming can be awkward enough as a hobby, without looking like Darth Vader having a fit.

If a headset was bundled in, there would be costs cut in the console itself. I want 4k 120hz not VR.
 
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