This is quite the dice roll for Valve, will be interesting to see how it goes.
While I dont mind a punt now and then, I wouldnt touch this with a barge pole.
It wont go well at all and this is me not being pessimistic at all, because they have attached this HL game to VR (quite possibly the entire series hinges on this)
This wrong franchise to mess with in this case (id would be fine with a portal VR game) because the majority of people that want a new half life game want to be able to play it without buying a £920 VR kit and a £1k computer to run VR
Even if u think of this with a business like mind and assume 1/5th of steam users are HL fans lets say 89million users on steam without VR lets say thats about (conservative its probs more) 17.8 million HL fans VS about 1 million VR users 200k HL fans what makes more money? people dont wanna buy 2k worth of equipment to play the game woulda been easier making a HL3 game then adding in a VR campaign
For those on a budget, there is the all-in-one Go for $200 which I've seen on sale at Wal-Mart.
I wouldn't expect to play Alyx on it, plenty of other experiences though:
"The simple is the seal of the true and beauty is the splendor of truth" -Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar Authored 139 missions in VendettaOnline and 6 tracks in Distance
I never liked Half-life really so this doesn't bother me in the least, but as others have pointed out, it's risky for Valve to do this. I wish them luck. Even if I was a fan of Half-Life I still wouldn't buy it. I have zero interest in VR. It's still out of reach for most casual gamers and they haven't solved the side-effect of motion sickness.
I'm not an IT Specialist, Game Developer, or Clairvoyant in real life, but like others on here, I play one on the internet.
it wont "do well" compared to traditional PC sales, thats obvious. I dont know if the 1% VR users is accurate but even it if is, thats besides the point. Valve is not a company that relies on its game sales. Nor is it a company that relies on its VR headset sales. STEAM is the cash cow. Always has been since what, cs 1.x days? Point is Valve games is not your traditional "let's make a game for the masses and hopefully be successful or this studio goes under" type setup. They have the luxury to put some serious resources into something like this game and thats awesome. Take it for what it is. What gets my sphincter clenching is as soon as this thing gets revealed, you get these nerd on forums moaning about this that and everything in between that doesnt concern them and that has got to stop.
Lets take a few things into consideration first at the end of 2018 the adoption rate of VR users on steam was set at 0.8% of 90 million roughly 720k users have VR, this means they have bought a headset but might not actively use it (this is accurate data) At the end of 2019 it would be fair to assume that the number of users is about 1% (inflated this number because new people would buy it) of 90 million(this number is unfair as i dont know current number of steam users registered but 90 mil are at least known to exist so its probs closer to 95 or 100 million users by now) this would mean 900k users actively playing VR titles. In the case of HL alyx you have alienated the majority of your fanbase to make a VR only title, these people also have waited 10+ years for a new HL game, in which some will purchase the VR kit (not gonna lie) but VR is still the minority here. Valve have really messed this up big time im not saying its not nice to get VR games but with the following HL has this is gonna be valves fallout 76/anthem because no one wants to spend over £2k in getting a VR kit and VR capable computer to play a title which will cost around £40 to buy My argument is not about hating VR its about the fans that have waited for another game in the HL franchise and them not all being able to play this title because its VR ONLY and COST involved to play is ludicrous!
You would think that after all this time they could add some arms to the hands when it comes to VR. Watching a pair of hands hauntingly bounce around in from of your face is kind of immersion breaking.
That does look very weird and distracting.
There is a very good reason for it: proprioception.
For example: if the game were to render your arms/elbows in such a way that they are not facing in real life, your brain immediately goes: "hey, my nerves are telling me my arm isn't really bending like that, what gives?" and begin to dissociate from the arm rendered.
I've played a VR game that allows you to clutch and grasp objects via the Oculus Knuckles, and it's great even with just seeing your hands.
What looks good isn't necessarily what feels good.
"The simple is the seal of the true and beauty is the splendor of truth" -Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar Authored 139 missions in VendettaOnline and 6 tracks in Distance
People are forgetting VR is miles away from staring at a screen. It's a more invasive and physical technology then a computer monitor. It's going to take generations before this becomes assimilated into mainstream life in some aspect. Even then I feel it will be in combination with AR and personally dedicated emergent AI and will barely resemble the convoluted system we think of today. In fact it will be called something entirely different.
I believe it took a port of Pac-Mac to really make the Atari 2600 popular and the home video game console took off as a result. I see a LOT on non-VR owners complaining as if apples equals oranges. Look, it sucks that this game didnt drop on PC, I get it, really, I do. But don't hate the game because you aren't even invested in the sport yet. It's a VR game and it's gonna sell. I bet it gets great review$ even. Go buy a headset or ask for one for this holiday season (ask before Black Friday, yo!). It looks like the VR console is about to take off...if it hasn't already and this is just the acceleration accelerating.
You would think that after all this time they could add some arms to the hands when it comes to VR. Watching a pair of hands hauntingly bounce around in from of your face is kind of immersion breaking.
That does look very weird and distracting.
We aren't the only ones who think it looks weird apparently
Even
funnier is that there is actually a group of weirdos who don't want
arms? Yeah I don't get it. That's the internet for ya I guess. https://www.pcgamer.com/keep-alyx-armless
I don't see how arms are a freaking distraction. My real life arms don't
distract me and they don't get in my way. If arms are a distraction then
maybe there are bigger issues at work.
Over 10 million VR headsets have sold between 2018 and now. Add in black Friday and Christmas sales and it will be even higher. That's a fairly big and growing market.
I see a lot of people who have very limited exposure to, or haven't even tried VR, bashing it. I don't get it. It's the next evolution in gaming. Seeing a video of VR on a flat screen doesn't begin to do it justice.
And the nausea goes away after a few days of moderate use. The fact that is can give you nausea should speak volumes to how immersive it is. My wife is not a gamer and gets nauseous fairly easy (roller coasters, fast driving... nooo). She plays about an hour of VR a day and no longer has nausea issues.
looks like 99% doesn't own a VR headset, or never actually used one, but still have to comment and whine about things.
I've used one, it was a cool novelty, don't think I would use it on a daily basis if I owned one. I swear some of you VR defenders sound just like the Star Citizen defenders. "You never played it so you don't know"
I've used one, it was a cool novelty, don't think I would use it on a daily basis if I owned one. I swear some of you VR defenders sound just like the Star Citizen defenders. "You never played it so you don't know"
"I've used one" generally means the put on their friends Oculus Go. Every person I talk to that enjoys games and claims they've used one and only thought it was "cool" are people who put on the one powered by a cell phone which isn't about games so much as it is about "experiences" and is graphically limited.
You can actually play VR in all of it's glory, unlike Star Citizen. Kinda proves my point above if you can't see the difference.
I've used one, it was a cool novelty, don't think I would use it on a daily basis if I owned one. I swear some of you VR defenders sound just like the Star Citizen defenders. "You never played it so you don't know"
"I've used one" generally means the put on their friends Oculus Go. Every person I talk to that enjoys games and claims they've used one and only thought it was "cool" are people who put on the one powered by a cell phone which isn't about games so much as it is about "experiences" and is graphically limited.
You can actually play VR in all of it's glory, unlike Star Citizen. Kinda proves my point above if you can't see the difference.
Actually, to me it's more about setting than graphics. I've used a Vive in a public setting and found it less immersive than Gear VR in the privacy of my own home due to the fact I was aware others were watching me, I could hear all the background noise, etc.
The first time I used Gear VR, in the privacy of my own home, it was far more immersive: it truly felt like another place.
Set and setting.
"The simple is the seal of the true and beauty is the splendor of truth" -Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar Authored 139 missions in VendettaOnline and 6 tracks in Distance
I've used one, it was a cool novelty, don't think I would use it on a daily basis if I owned one. I swear some of you VR defenders sound just like the Star Citizen defenders. "You never played it so you don't know"
"I've used one" generally means the put on their friends Oculus Go. Every person I talk to that enjoys games and claims they've used one and only thought it was "cool" are people who put on the one powered by a cell phone which isn't about games so much as it is about "experiences" and is graphically limited.
You can actually play VR in all of it's glory, unlike Star Citizen. Kinda proves my point above if you can't see the difference.
I'm glad you know me based on stuff you made up in your head. I was actually able to demo a HTC Vive for a few weeks in my home. Like I said, it's not for me and I know others feel the same. It's come a long ways, but still has a ways to go. And like I also said I feel like VR is a smaller part of a bigger thing we will see in the future, but less invasive and uncomfortable to use for long periods of time. For now I feel comfortable missing out on some game concepts because honestly I feel it's still in it's infancy. Like with Star Citizen, you guys can pay to beta test the concept, I'll check back later.
I'm glad you know me based on stuff you made up in your head. I was actually able to demo a HTC Vive for a few weeks in my home. Like I said, it's not for me and I know others feel the same. It's come a long ways, but still has a ways to go. And like I also said I feel like VR is a smaller part of a bigger thing we will see in the future, but less invasive and uncomfortable to use for long periods of time. For now I feel comfortable missing out on some game concepts because honestly I feel it's still in it's infancy. Like with Star Citizen, you guys can pay to beta test the concept, I'll check back later.
I don't have to know you for you to fit a mold. Stereotypes exist for a reason. Of course, you were able to get a $750 unit for free to "demo for a few weeks"... when? What games did you demo? You can't even get those idiots to send or repair one that someone paid for... of course the just lent you one to take home for a few weeks to demo.
I'm glad you know me based on stuff you made up in your head. I was actually able to demo a HTC Vive for a few weeks in my home. Like I said, it's not for me and I know others feel the same. It's come a long ways, but still has a ways to go. And like I also said I feel like VR is a smaller part of a bigger thing we will see in the future, but less invasive and uncomfortable to use for long periods of time. For now I feel comfortable missing out on some game concepts because honestly I feel it's still in it's infancy. Like with Star Citizen, you guys can pay to beta test the concept, I'll check back later.
I don't have to know you for you to fit a mold. Stereotypes exist for a reason. Of course, you were able to get a $750 unit for free to "demo for a few weeks"... when? What games did you demo? You can't even get those idiots to send or repair one that someone paid for... of course the just lent you one to take home for a few weeks to demo.
WTF are you even on about? It's my son's. No idea where you got the idea that HTC gave me one lol. Not even sure why it maters how I tried it, but whatever floats your boat fam. Games I tried were Skyrim VR, Beat Saber, Spiderman VR, Waltz of the wizard and TribeXR DJ school (which is actually pretty cool). I stand by what I said, if it hurts your feelings oh well.
Right... you were "actually able to demo a HTC Vive for a few weeks in my home" which you are now saying you borrowed from your son. Seems like you're making shit up. Great story bro. Have fun with that.
Comments
I wouldn't expect to play Alyx on it, plenty of other experiences though:
https://www.oculus.com/experiences/go/?locale=en_US
"The simple is the seal of the true and beauty is the splendor of truth" -Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar
Authored 139 missions in Vendetta Online and 6 tracks in Distance
I'm not an IT Specialist, Game Developer, or Clairvoyant in real life, but like others on here, I play one on the internet.
At the end of 2019 it would be fair to assume that the number of users is about 1% (inflated this number because new people would buy it) of 90 million(this number is unfair as i dont know current number of steam users registered but 90 mil are at least known to exist so its probs closer to 95 or 100 million users by now) this would mean 900k users actively playing VR titles.
In the case of HL alyx you have alienated the majority of your fanbase to make a VR only title, these people also have waited 10+ years for a new HL game, in which some will purchase the VR kit (not gonna lie) but VR is still the minority here.
Valve have really messed this up big time im not saying its not nice to get VR games but with the following HL has this is gonna be valves fallout 76/anthem because no one wants to spend over £2k in getting a VR kit and VR capable computer to play a title which will cost around £40 to buy My argument is not about hating VR its about the fans that have waited for another game in the HL franchise and them not all being able to play this title because its VR ONLY and COST involved to play is ludicrous!
For example: if the game were to render your arms/elbows in such a way that they are not facing in real life, your brain immediately goes: "hey, my nerves are telling me my arm isn't really bending like that, what gives?" and begin to dissociate from the arm rendered.
I've played a VR game that allows you to clutch and grasp objects via the Oculus Knuckles, and it's great even with just seeing your hands.
What looks good isn't necessarily what feels good.
"The simple is the seal of the true and beauty is the splendor of truth" -Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar
Authored 139 missions in Vendetta Online and 6 tracks in Distance
But then, I don't actually care about this one. I've never been attached to any Valve IP. So, no skin off my back.
That's just, like, my opinion, man.
https://www.pcgamer.com/keep-alyx-armless
The first time I used Gear VR, in the privacy of my own home, it was far more immersive: it truly felt like another place.
Set and setting.
"The simple is the seal of the true and beauty is the splendor of truth" -Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar
Authored 139 missions in Vendetta Online and 6 tracks in Distance