When it comes to owning a Rift, there are few things you should have to get the most out of your VR experience. I am assuming if you own a Rift, you will already know that you need a computer to connect to. You can’t just flip a switch and start your virtual adventuring, and you can’t hook up the Rift to your tv and expect to see your channels suddenly become 3-dimensional. Yes, it would be awesome if it was all that simple, but technology still has some catching up to do before virtual reality devices become average household items. Moving on from that, I would highly recommend the following to pair up with your Rift.
Mouse and Keyboard
These will be essential for playing games on your computer, as well as Rift compatible games. If you have a laptop like me, you will have a better time navigating in 3D environments with a mouse compared to a touchpad. As for the keyboard, you’ll be fine with the one that comes with your computer, but if you plan on showing your Rift to a lot of people, have a backup. This way you can give the extra one to the person using the Rift, and use your computer for easy, navigational purposes. The same can apply to the mouse.
These will be essential for playing games on your computer, as well as Rift compatible games. If you have a laptop like me, you will have a better time navigating in 3D environments with a mouse compared to a touchpad. As for the keyboard, you’ll be fine with the one that comes with your computer, but if you plan on showing your Rift to a lot of people, have a backup. This way you can give the extra one to the person using the Rift, and use your computer for easy, navigational purposes. The same can apply to the mouse.
Headphones
The Rift alone is amazing to experience, but that can be doubled when you add more senses into the equation. There are games being developed that make use of sound to immerse players more into their environment. This includes Don’t Let Go, where the point of the game is not to let go of your keyboard, even if that means having to listen to a wasp crawl into your ear. A popular genre for this is horror, where you can hear foot-steps and whispers coming from all directions. Any pair of headphones would be fine, but if you have ones with surround sound capabilities, use those.
The Rift alone is amazing to experience, but that can be doubled when you add more senses into the equation. There are games being developed that make use of sound to immerse players more into their environment. This includes Don’t Let Go, where the point of the game is not to let go of your keyboard, even if that means having to listen to a wasp crawl into your ear. A popular genre for this is horror, where you can hear foot-steps and whispers coming from all directions. Any pair of headphones would be fine, but if you have ones with surround sound capabilities, use those.
Game Controller
My preferred choice would be my handy xbox controller. I haven’t explored many other options, but this type of accessory depends on the person. You could be fine using just your keyboard, but if you’re interested in shooter games or racing, that’s when it’ll be useful to have a trigger button or wheel. In other situations, it might be a headache to figure out the keyboard controls assigned for a game. In this situation, your easiest choice of action would be to plug in a controller, where your options become more limited compared to the seemingly endless keys on your keyboard.
My preferred choice would be my handy xbox controller. I haven’t explored many other options, but this type of accessory depends on the person. You could be fine using just your keyboard, but if you’re interested in shooter games or racing, that’s when it’ll be useful to have a trigger button or wheel. In other situations, it might be a headache to figure out the keyboard controls assigned for a game. In this situation, your easiest choice of action would be to plug in a controller, where your options become more limited compared to the seemingly endless keys on your keyboard.
Other What-Nots and Cool things
If you’re new to the Rift scene, you may not have heard about accessories to pair with. These aren’t must-haves, but they would definitely be fun to play with.
If you’re new to the Rift scene, you may not have heard about accessories to pair with. These aren’t must-haves, but they would definitely be fun to play with.
Omni Virtuix
I always manage to forget the name, but when I want to describe it to someone I usually say, it’s an omni-directional treadmill and it looks like a giant baby bouncer. Simplest way I can think of putting it. The way it functions is that you’re strapped in by the waist and you let your feet slip and slide across the bowl at the bottom. People have paired it with the Kinect to track data, but you can also buy a pair of shoes from the company that will do that for you.
I always manage to forget the name, but when I want to describe it to someone I usually say, it’s an omni-directional treadmill and it looks like a giant baby bouncer. Simplest way I can think of putting it. The way it functions is that you’re strapped in by the waist and you let your feet slip and slide across the bowl at the bottom. People have paired it with the Kinect to track data, but you can also buy a pair of shoes from the company that will do that for you.
Sixense Stem System
If you’ve heard of the Hydra controller, this is essentially the same thing except wireless. The other plus for this controller is that it has a removable, wireless “Stem” that can be used by itself for tracking data. With this device you can track your hands, legs, body, everything! With the controller, you’ll also have the added bonus of a trigger plus a few buttons handy.
If you’ve heard of the Hydra controller, this is essentially the same thing except wireless. The other plus for this controller is that it has a removable, wireless “Stem” that can be used by itself for tracking data. With this device you can track your hands, legs, body, everything! With the controller, you’ll also have the added bonus of a trigger plus a few buttons handy.
Myo
Although this isn’t made specifically for the Rift, it has caught my eye. It is worn like a band that tracks your muscle movement. I have not seen it tested with the Rift yet, but if it works as well as the company claims, you may be able to track individual finger movement with it. The main question though, is whether it has the precision to make it useful for VR immersion.
Although this isn’t made specifically for the Rift, it has caught my eye. It is worn like a band that tracks your muscle movement. I have not seen it tested with the Rift yet, but if it works as well as the company claims, you may be able to track individual finger movement with it. The main question though, is whether it has the precision to make it useful for VR immersion.