Will the Oculus Rift Revolutionize the Gaming Industry?

Virtual reality has long been a staple of science fiction, and it will finally be a reality next year thanks to the video gaming industry. For many gaming fans the concept is considered the natural evolution for the industry, and the Rift (developed by Oculus VR) could be the start of an entertainment revolution.

Modern games consoles are highly complex units which deliver much more than gaming—they have a vast array of features and are able to cater to a broad target audience. Consequently the industry is thriving like never before: Sony’s PS4 is currently heading towards 30 million global sales, smartphone games have become a phenomenon, and the industry has shifted its geeky image towards mainstream appeal.

This is all fresh from the success of consoles such as Nintendo’s Wii, which sold over 100 million units worldwide in six years. Video games are a major success story, and now virtual reality is entering the equation. Will the Oculus Rift push the industry into a stunning new era of success and immersive escapism?

All about the Oculus Rift

Virtual reality has been attempted before in video games, of course, but with little success. Most famously Nintendo released their ill-fated Virtual Boy in 1995. The problem 20 years ago was the device was poorly designed and caused migraines after extended play. Two decades later the public expects much more than a device that doesn't cause headaches.

The Rift is differs greatly from the Virtual Boy. It’s been designed and developed by American company Oculus VR, which began as an independent company (that is, until Facebook purchased them in March 2014 for some $400 million and $1.6 billion in stock as part of their spending spree at the time, having also recently acquired WhatsApp for $19 billion).

Billed by the social media giant as “the future of gaming,” the Rift has been packed with all the latest state-of-the-art technological wizardry in an attempt to push the industry in a new direction. To help the project along, Facebook has teamed up with Microsoft (who have enjoyed great success with their Xbox consoles) to deliver a device which could finally create a realistic virtual reality environment.

As Oculus said in an official statement: “The Rift is unlike anything you’ve ever experienced. Whether you’re stepping into your favorite game, watching an immersive VR movie, jumping to a destination on the other side of the world, or just spending time with friends in VR, you’ll feel like you’re really there.”

They’ve enthused about their project a great deal, and as the release date draws closer, the gaming community is increasingly taking note. With its mix of impressive technology (such as displays and optics designed to provide “incredible visual fidelity and an immersive, wide field of view”) and the promise of a genuine virtual reality feel, the Rift unquestionably has the capacity to change the video games industry ... if it delivers on its promises.

Pushing the boundaries of escapism

The experience of "total immersion" is what Oculus is aiming for: “The Rift’s advanced display technology combined with its precise, low-latency constellation tracking system enables the sensation of presence—the feeling as though you’re actually there. The magic of presence changes everything. You’ve never experienced immersion like this.”

Technology fans will delight at the spec details: integrated VR audio, a one-size-fits-all headset, Xbox One controller compatibility, Oculus Touch (a pair of tracked controllers which enable motion movement, much like a Wii controller), an extensive community to connect with around the world, and games including Eve Valkyrie, VR Sports, HeroBound, Chronos, and Edge of Nowhere.

Feedback online has been positive: on YouTube it's possible to watch many dazed players enthusing as they try out the Rift, and you can see the games in action with a demonstration video from E3 2015 (an annual games conference). Despite the lack of what could be considered a “killer” title to shift the Rift (such as a Grand Theft Auto, Halo, or Mario—current industry big hitters), the novelty of virtual reality will no doubt pique consumer interest, perhaps including non-gamers.

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Virtual reality’s business potential

Oculus’ offering is without question pioneering, but whether it will be a success remains to be seen. There are certain problems which could hinder the experience, such as the expected price tag and the advanced technological requirements.

The launch price hasn’t been announced, but estimates online include a reasonable $550 (for the headset), with the need for a high-performance computer being around $1,000. Which, perhaps, isn’t the news everyone would like to hear. However, the Rift will have native support for the soon-to-be-launched Windows 10.

With gamers famously capricious and opinionated, the virtual reality element may be snubbed by some. Its appeal could be seen as a gimmick, and an additional problem will be breaking into a market where the PS4, Xbox One, mobile gaming, PC, and Nintendo’s various devices (including the upcoming NX project) reign supreme.

With Microsoft on board, however, the potential is there for Facebook to make this work. Strapping the Rift headset to your head doesn’t look like the most glamorous experience, but then anyone who ever used the Wii remote also looked a bit silly. What matters is whether the device is fun, and the innovation is greatly appreciated in an industry currently stuck in a rut with violent shoot-em-up games.

There’s a business war brewing, too, as Sony intends to soon launch its own virtual reality headset, Project Morpheus. As we've seen following the lackluster debut of the Apple Watch this year, consumers are more savvy and opinionated than ever. The Rift will have to deliver from day one.

Release details

The official Oculus Blog offers the latest news on the Rift, and it’s expected in Q1 of 2016. Pre-orders will be available later in 2015—this is when the final price will be announced.

It's big technology news, despite some concerns. As Oculus explain, “The Rift delivers on the dream of consumer VR with compelling content, a full ecosystem, and a fully-integrated hardware/software tech stack designed specifically for virtual reality. It’s a system designed by a team of extremely passionate gamers, developers, and engineers to reimagine what gaming can be."

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