Want your very own Oculus Rift ? The good news is that the final version is pegged to arrive in stores in early 2016. Fans of the virtual reality gadget will be able to pre-order the Oculus Rift this fall.
The consumer version of the Oculus looks a bit different from the “beta tester” version seen across the internet. The device doesn’t appear to be bulky, which critics felt could get in the way of the Oculus Rift’s success. You can also tell that it’s a much lighter version as it can be held pretty easily with just one hand. If you wear glasses, don’t worry; changes to the gadget mean you can get in on the fun as well.
The makeover, combined with the support of Microsoft (the Oculus will come with an Xbox controller), could help make the gadget become a huge success.
We’re partnering with @Oculus to bring #XboxOne streaming to Oculus Rift: http://t.co/qCTYlHHiX0 #VR #GameDev pic.twitter.com/32gShBeZEY
— Microsoft Developer (@msdevUK) June 12, 2015
There’s just one burning question left to ask about the Oculus Rift at this point: Exactly how much is this thing going to cost? In May, Oculus CEO Brendan Iribe said he expected consumers to spend about $1,500. But before you faint, you should know that he wasn’t talking the cost of buying the Oculus Rift alone .
“We are looking at an all-in price, if you have to go out and actually need to buy a new computer and you’re going to buy the Rift… at most you should be in that $1,500 range.”
Let’s say the average consumer had no intention of going computer shopping and only wanted the Oculus Rift itself. What would the price be then? The often quoted price is closer to $350, a number far more agreeable to one’s wallet than the falsely speculated $1,500 we’ve seen. Although that number is subject to change, it appears that the goal is to keep the Oculus Rift in a price range that most consumers can afford.
First look at the new Oculus Rift and Touch Controller hardware http://t.co/gRphSULqep pic.twitter.com/4GFjMMsYzq
— TechCrunch (@TechCrunch) June 12, 2015
In addition to the device itself, Gizmodo said that the Oculus will come with a pair of headphones (not wireless) to help users fully immerse themselves in the virtual reality experience. There were some gripes about wires, but given the reaction of certain beta testers who tried the Oculus, it’s doubtful they’ll remember or care about the headphone cable.
Those who buy the Oculus Rift will also be encouraged to remain seated as there’s a very real possibility that attempting to walk around could lead to harm.
What do you think of the Oculus Rift? Are you excited for the release? Comment below!
[Image Credit: Ethan Miller/Getty Images]