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>I don't know what's going to save its image? Maybe a killer app? For me they'd save a lot of face if they just opened up their APIs/store to other headsets. T

>I don't know what's going to save its image? Maybe a killer app? For me they'd save a lot of face if they just opened up their APIs/store to other headsets. They tried to pin down the PC VR HMD market and failed due to Valve/HTC. But they're still trying to become the Steam of VR despite Steam doing the same and having the distinct advantage of already being the Steam of everything else. But there's definitely room for other storefronts out there like GOG and EA's Origin so I don't begrudge them wanting to take that 30% for themselves but let me use whatever HMD I want.

errantspark 10y ago
I can't agree more. The whole Oculus platform is so intrusive, it really feels like they care 100% about ways to extract value from their IP and 0% about delivering something users want.
dahdum 10y ago
My major gripe with them too, they aren't competing on technology but rather marketing and exclusivity arrangements. So glad they aren't the only ones driving the space forward, otherwise it's IE6 all over again.
jwcooper 10y ago
Are they actively blocking the other HMD's or just not supporting them with drivers, etc? I know they locked it down at one point with DRM, but quickly backtracked. Revive is a free option, that works with the Oculus Store and the Vive but that's obviously not as nice as native support from Oculus.
krisroadruck 10y ago
Honestly I'd like to see VR headsets be treated more like PC monitors or video cards than like game consoles. A display with some tracking sensors should have to come with a walled garden. I feel this would encourage a lot more VR game development as well as a lot faster release cycle on new hardware, as well as a better range of hardware options, just like how you can buy a cheapo monitor or video card and live with lower resolution/framerates, or you can splurge a couple grand and get a really nice one. Games don't really care which end of that spectrum you go, they have settings to accommodate various resolutions and graphical horsepower.

errantspark 10y ago

I can't agree more. The whole Oculus platform is so intrusive, it really feels like they care 100% about ways to extract value from their IP and 0% about delivering something users want.

dahdum 10y ago

My major gripe with them too, they aren't competing on technology but rather marketing and exclusivity arrangements. So glad they aren't the only ones driving the space forward, otherwise it's IE6 all over again.

jwcooper 10y ago

Are they actively blocking the other HMD's or just not supporting them with drivers, etc? I know they locked it down at one point with DRM, but quickly backtracked. Revive is a free option, that works with the Oculus Store and the Vive but that's obviously not as nice as native support from Oculus.

krisroadruck 10y ago

Honestly I'd like to see VR headsets be treated more like PC monitors or video cards than like game consoles. A display with some tracking sensors should have to come with a walled garden. I feel this would encourage a lot more VR game development as well as a lot faster release cycle on new hardware, as well as a better range of hardware options, just like how you can buy a cheapo monitor or video card and live with lower resolution/framerates, or you can splurge a couple grand and get a really nice one. Games don't really care which end of that spectrum you go, they have settings to accommodate various resolutions and graphical horsepower.