PAX West: Just tried the New Doom in VR

Sovrath · September 2016

I wasn't very interested in Virtual Reality but I have to say I'm a convert ... with some nods to where the technology is.

There is a Bethesda VR booth at PAX East and after over 90 minutes of waiting in line, you could coose the new Doom or Fallout 3.

Now, being the first time trying this I wasn't sure what to expect. The picture wasn't as sharp and clear as the regular game, but "wow" what an experience. The left controller operated grenades (which I conveniently dropped at my feet the first time) and your "teleporting" to specific places. The right operated the guns.

Once I was actually playing it I had one of the best gaming experiences as I really did feel I was there. The teleporting was sort of immersion breaking (so I suppose one has to "buy into it") and "yes" one could just walk but the chord is only so long as well as the space you are playing in.

I do see the chord becoming something of an issue as I was trying to play but all the while was very conscious I could fall over it. I didn't mind the feel of the googles or the headset but then again I only had 5? 10 minutes to try it? Probably 10, time went by quickly but I did feel like it was a good bit of time.

The boss battle was wild as well as the flying cacodemon. Another issue, especially with the chord, was that mobs could come behind you so turning was necessary but of course you didn't want to wind the thing around you.

All, in all, I'm going to get it.

The goggles I used were HTC Vive. The Bethesda employee who set everything up for me (and made sure I didn't walk through their booth) seemed to prefer it over other options.

Tomorrow I'm going to see if I can get into the new Resident Evil VR experience as they are only giving out 288 tickets per day.

Lokero · September 2016

Sovrath said:

Tomorrow I'm going to see if I can get into the new Resident Evil VR experience as they are only giving out 288 tickets per day.

I wonder if they've fixed the Resident Evil VR experience... last I'd heard it was making everyone nauseous... just a heads up

I'm kind of surprised they don't set up some type of overhead runner system at these booths for the VR. It seems like you'd want to let the potential buyers test out the walking around portion of the product without tripping over cables.

maskedweasel · September 2016

Lokero said:

Sovrath said:

Tomorrow I'm going to see if I can get into the new Resident Evil VR experience as they are only giving out 288 tickets per day.
I wonder if they've fixed the Resident Evil VR experience... last I'd heard it was making everyone nauseous... just a heads up

I'm kind of surprised they don't set up some type of overhead runner system at these booths for the VR. It seems like you'd want to let the potential buyers test out the walking around portion of the product without tripping over cables.

It's probably best that those interested are used to the entirety of the sets. I'm glad he got to test them, and hopefully when he gets the set in his home we can get more in depth experiences.

I think everyones first go is that of surprise. Daily use is another matter. I look forward to seeing what PSVR will be like next month. I've already tried it, but, again, it's different when its you setting it up.

flizzer · September 2016

While I can believe it delivers an immersive gaming experience, I remain doubtful how comfortable it would feel on my head for an extended period of time.

Phaserlight · September 2016

flizzer said:

While I can believe it delivers an immersive gaming experience, I remain doubtful how comfortable it would feel on my head for an extended period of time.

Speaking only for the 2016 Gear VR, it's very comfortable indeed.

It's not something I would want to use for hours and hours at a time due to:

a) The phone overheating

b) The intensity of the experiences (even the relaxing ones are just... vivid)

However, comfort was never an issue for me. Every so often I have to take the headset off and cool it down with an ice pack atop my phone, but turning on airplane mode while enabling Wifi and Bluetooth and having brightness set to minimum seems to mitigate this issue.

Totally worth it! :-)

maskedweasel · September 2016

Phaserlight said:

flizzer said:

While I can believe it delivers an immersive gaming experience, I remain doubtful how comfortable it would feel on my head for an extended period of time.

Speaking only for the 2016 Gear VR, it's very comfortable indeed.

It's not something I would want to use for hours and hours at a time due to:

a) The phone overheating

b) The intensity of the experiences (even the relaxing ones are just... vivid)

However, comfort was never an issue for me. Every so often I have to take the headset off and cool it down with an ice pack atop my phone, but turning on airplane mode while enabling Wifi and Bluetooth and having brightness set to minimum seems to mitigate this issue.

Totally worth it! :-)

I know that some other phones are lighter than my note 7, but from the weight perspective mine is a little straining in some games on my neck. Not like.. overly so, to where it hurts, but I, and a couple of my friends took note of it when we were playing games where you look around a lot.

Gear VR in general is a little bit heavier than the rift. They also have much better resolution, at least in the case of the note 7.

Sovrath · September 2016

Lokero said:

Sovrath said:

Tomorrow I'm going to see if I can get into the new Resident Evil VR experience as they are only giving out 288 tickets per day.
I wonder if they've fixed the Resident Evil VR experience... last I'd heard it was making everyone nauseous... just a heads up

I'm kind of surprised they don't set up some type of overhead runner system at these booths for the VR. It seems like you'd want to let the potential buyers test out the walking around portion of the product without tripping over cables.

Bleah, missed the tickets for resident evil. Had a decent space on the "if someone doesn't show up you might get in" but since we aren't guaranteed to get In I didn't feel like waiting for hours and got breakfast instead.

as far as the comfort question, it's a good question.

the head set was lighter than I thought and even with the headphones the whole experience wasn't bad (for the 10 min I had it on) I'd be curious how long I cous last.

I've got to say, the experience was very "holodeck" feeling for the most part. If be curios to see how other games deal with movement.

SEANMCAD · September 2016

Call of Duty is going to have a DLC for VR.

http://www.roadtovr.com/call-of-duty-infinite-warfare-to-get-free-playstation-vr-dlc-jackal-assault/

time is coming on us faster then i thought it would

Iselin · September 2016

Sovrath said:

The goggles I used were HTC Vive. The Bethesda employee who set everything up for me (and made sure I didn't walk through their booth) seemed to prefer it over other options.

Not saying the Vive or the Oculus is the better one but I'd be very surprised if Bethesda had an OR there.. legal battle and all

SavageHorizon · September 2016

Lol, this won't please the doom & gloom jaded on this site. I knew i did the right thing when i pre ordered my PS4 VR and put money aside for my new PS4 Neo.

RPGMASTERGAMER · September 2016

did try the oculus rift with my gf 2 year ago, she not into gaming but she loved it, i have realy like it too

the main reason im waiting for buy one,they have releases very few real games, but im sure they will releases more, and when they releases some good games ( like mario for the 64 back then ) peoples will start get into it way more, casual peoples love it.

that not like 3d tv for sure, this will stay and mature

EpicJohnson · September 2016

The teleport mechanic makes this a non sale for me.
I do not get sick in VR and I will not be playing a game where my opponents can teleport to move.

Sovrath · September 2016

Iselin said:

Sovrath said:

The goggles I used were HTC Vive. The Bethesda employee who set everything up for me (and made sure I didn't walk through their booth) seemed to prefer it over other options.

Not saying the Vive or the Oculus is the better one but I'd be very surprised if Bethesda had an OR there.. legal battle and all

That's a very good point and actually it didn't occur to me until I was sitting in the hotel restaurant way after I wrote the post. Suddenly "light dawned on marblehead" and I thought "hey! wait a minute ..."

Now it makes me want to try both again.

I have to say that the VR experience doesn't eliminate the traditional "sit behind a monitor and play" scenario. For me it was a "different experience" Just like playing a shooter is different than a 4X game.

Just thought I'd add that as I've been reflecting on the experience quite a bit.

SEANMCAD · September 2016

SavageHorizon said:

Lol, this won't please the doom & gloom jaded on this site. I knew i did the right thing when i pre ordered my PS4 VR and put money aside for my new PS4 Neo.

we havent read very many of the following observations in more than a few months now

-will cause neck injuries
-will do damage to your vision being so close
-headset are way to heavy
-I am afraid it will violate my sense of fashion
-Its a lonely experience, unlike PC gaming is
-its too expensive and dead on arrival
-no AAA titles
-the min. requirements are too high

still see that last one from time to time and it make me grin. the second to the last one will disappear 12 months from now I predict.

maskedweasel · September 2016

Sovrath said:

Iselin said:

Sovrath said:

The goggles I used were HTC Vive. The Bethesda employee who set everything up for me (and made sure I didn't walk through their booth) seemed to prefer it over other options.

Not saying the Vive or the Oculus is the better one but I'd be very surprised if Bethesda had an OR there.. legal battle and all

That's a very good point and actually it didn't occur to me until I was sitting in the hotel restaurant way after I wrote the post. Suddenly "light dawned on marblehead" and I thought "hey! wait a minute ..."

Now it makes me want to try both again.

I have to say that the VR experience doesn't eliminate the traditional "sit behind a monitor and play" scenario. For me it was a "different experience" Just like playing a shooter is different than a 4X game.

Just thought I'd add that as I've been reflecting on the experience quite a bit.

Not sure where you are but go into a best buy and test every set they have - which is every set.

I know it's unlikely but the best advice I could give you is to play something for a minimum of 15 minutes. Most demos are under 5 minutes, and they're that way for a reason.

There are practicalities about VR that need to be worked out for yourself before you choose a set, and while you may believe that one set or another is light, after wearing it, and especially in certain games, the set will get heavier and heavier.

Just make sure you're trying them thoroughly. As I've stated in other threads, if you have a little money to spend, get a gear VR set (you can get the old models for about 50 dollars new, or like 20 dollars used) and if you have a Samsung phone, you can play just about everything on the Rift with VRidge and most non-motion control requiring Steam Games. (Your PC still has to be up to snuff to play these games - Vridge streams directly to the headset)

Long story short though, give yourself some time to make an informed decision.

Sovrath · September 2016

maskedweasel said:

Long story short though, give yourself some time to make an informed decision.

Good advice, thanks. There is a Best Buy 15 minutes walk from my work place so will go there and see what I can see.

SEANMCAD · September 2016

Sovrath said:

maskedweasel said:

Long story short though, give yourself some time to make an informed decision.

Good advice, thanks. There is a Best Buy 15 minutes walk from my work place so will go there and see what I can see.

I think mid October Oculus will have VR for demo in 500 Best Buy stores. I know Sony has thiers at Gamespot I think.

I got an Oculus, I often think I should have gotten a Vive but they are both very similar I will say that I do not regret buying PC based VR headset and really am glad I did. I am thinking of upgrading to a Note 7 and the new headset later this year. I think (but dont know) that HDR technology that is in the Note 7 is really going to improve the experience.

Phaserlight · September 2016

EpicJohnson said:

The teleport mechanic makes this a non sale for me.
I do not get sick in VR and I will not be playing a game where my opponents can teleport to move.

A majority of the games I've played in VR do not use the teleport mechanic. I've been fortunate not to be stricken with simsickness either, but I definitely recommend easing in.

I'm not sure it would be such an advantage as your post seems to imply, though. If it were an option in some multi-player games, it could be balanced by cool downs and distance limitations.

I see it more as something some developers are experimenting with at this early stage rather than the be-all end-all of movement in VR.

I've personally experienced both teleport and non-teleport games in VR that work very well. Some of the non- teleport games do make me feel dizzy at times, but I've never gotten motion sick or had to stop because of this.

It may be because I just like riding rollercoasters et cetera.

SEANMCAD · September 2016

Phaserlight said:

EpicJohnson said:

The teleport mechanic makes this a non sale for me.
I do not get sick in VR and I will not be playing a game where my opponents can teleport to move.

A majority of the games I've played in VR do not use the teleport mechanic. I've been fortunate not to be stricken with simsickness either, but I definitely recommend easing in.

I'm not sure it would be such an advantage as your post seems to imply, though. If it were an option in some multi-player games, it could be balanced by cool downs and distance limitations.

I see it more as something some developers are experimenting with at this early stage rather than the be-all end-all of movement in VR.

I've personally experienced both teleport and non-teleport games in VR that work very well. Some of the non- teleport games do make me feel dizzy at times, but I've never gotten motion sick or had to stop because of this.

It may be because I just like riding rollercoasters et cetera.

I think people tend to forget when thinking about VR how they currently play games.

They assume that because you CAN move then that means you MUST move (meaning physically move your legs.) and that if you CAN control the enviroment with your hands then it means you MUST control the enviroment with your hands.

The thing is we have been 'moving virtually' in games now for multiple decades and we have been interacting with those enviroments now using controllers, keyboards and mice for decades now.

Naturally the transition isnt perfect and some modifications need to be made but people tend to forget when thinking about VR that they dont HAVE to touch that item with their hands in order for the experience to be very compelling.

Sovrath · September 2016

EpicJohnson said:

The teleport mechanic makes this a non sale for me.
I do not get sick in VR and I will not be playing a game where my opponents can teleport to move.

Well, none of the mobs teleported, it was just myself. Are you referring to some sort of multi-player? I suppose I could see that being an issue.

Howdy, Stranger!

PAX West: Just tried the New Doom in VR

Comments

Howdy, Stranger!

Quick Links

PAX West: Just tried the New Doom in VR

Comments