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SteamVR games hit Windows Mixed Reality next week

by Mark Tyson on 10 November 2017, 10:01

Tags: Valve, Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT), Samsung (005935.KS)

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Back in August we first heard that Windows Mixed Reality HMD equipped systems would get access to Steam / SteamVR content before the year was out. This would deliver a hearty dollop of VR content to users of Microsoft’s ‘easy and affordable’ HMDs, being produced by hardware partners such as HP, Lenovo, Samsung, Dell, and Acer.

Microsoft has just revealed to Rolling Stone that SteamVR games will be accessible via Windows Mixed Reality from next week. On Wednesday 15th November Windows Mixed Reality's SteamVR preview program, currently only open to developers, “will open up to anyone with Windows 10,” and one of the shiny new Windows HMDs.

Rolling Stone mentions that as this is the test phase users should expect “the occasional issue”. Reporter Brian Crecente said he tested the $500 Samsung Odyssey HMD and was “impressed with how it worked”.

As a reminder, the Samsung headset includes twin 3.5-inch 1440x1600 resolution AMOLED screens that deliver a 110-degree field of view, two built-in microphones, and AKG powered headphones delivering 360-degree spatial sound. Like all Windows Mixed Reality headsets the Samsung connects using just one USB Type-C cable, which is a generous 4m long in this case, and includes built-in positional tracking. Two controllers track hand movements and offer plenty of buttons, touchpad, thumbsticks and triggers.

Access to SteamVR will expand the Windows Mixed Reality HMD accessible library of approx 60 titles (available on the Windows Store) to include a multitude of top VR games. We don’t have word as yet on when the feature will go out of preview and into primetime.



HEXUS Forums :: 9 Comments

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Microsoft’s ‘easy and affordable’ HMDs

I'm not sure how many people will find the £380 entry price affordable…
Anything that pushes VR quality forward is OK in my book…
scaryjim
I'm not sure how many people will find the £380 entry price affordable…

I think it is the lack of £300 graphics card on top of that which makes a difference. MS are claiming you can do VR with a laptop's integrated graphics.

Having said that, I notice the Rift says I need at least a GTX960 or an R9 290, which is odd when my R9 380 pretty much beats the GTX 960 in benchmarks these days.
I've got a Rx480 which is VR capable but spending the same again on a headset that may or may not be used is just to much. Make it £150ish and i'd jump at one instead of replacing my monitor… The thought of a £400 box I use twice and put on a shelve is just too much of a concern - I also could only use it seated which reduces the appeal.
DanceswithUnix
I need at least a GTX960 or an R9 290, which is odd when my R9 380 pretty much beats the GTX 960 in benchmarks these days.
But R9 380 is more than R9 290, no?