Wearing VR helmets for the first time, felt saw the future, took off after a few minutes it, feeling a sense of loss. This is the VR industry at present--a lack of one of the biggest challenges facing up to off the grounds. More specifically, it is the lack of good, software interface design and content for the VR (OK, say that game).
The prevailing view in the industry is that "the three VR system" HTC Vive good best immersive experience. If you carry one is known as "100,000 reasons why" spirit, and a chance to see the cast members Chet Faliszek from Valve Corporation, "why HTC Vive pursues immersion as the first" problem can be readily solved. He is popular around the world shooting games CS half life main creator, he is a game fanatic, he don't want any compromises on the game experience, he could not endure the grandstanding, banal, but still need to wear bulky helmet to play the game. All in all, Valve VR spend hundreds on hardware and software systems, what they want is to burn the game, don't burn better not do--can't afford to lose is the key man, mixed later in the game.
This is HTC lucky: its partners Valve developed games, so really understands the game; to make the world's most popular gaming platform Steam, so really know the game developers. Anyway, Valve sits, HTC Vive to worry about can't find ox x games. However, (here for example) are like the two sides of the coin, it always has two sides, Valve game enthusiasts are more interested in the service, HTC tries to affect the crowd is in ordinary sentient beings, most is not how to play the game. In the spotlight, Valve, and HTC is a close ally, privately, but he was always a strong side, interests of the game is found in this paper in a later joint interview questions and answers.
Back to the subject. GDC 2016,HTC Vive Flash VR family of software and content, including SteamVR software interface improvements and a list of the first batch of more than more than 30 games. Which some software new characteristics in zhiqian domestic held of developers activities Shang has mentioned had, this back is first times foreign show actual interface; game list although not full is new faces, but is first for full of introduced, basically the category are elected out has representative of VR game, both horizontal show has game of rich sex, and longitudinal expression has "associate game masterpiece" has coming of mean. Next said separately:
A, SteamVR a recent software upgrade 1. initial install trouble
HTC Vive system consists of two Laser Tracker (Base Station), need to be hung in the corner of the room. Sounds better than Oculus Rift and PlayStation desktop tracker used in VR system trouble. In fact, HTC Vive system does not necessarily need more space, it offers three models: sitting, standing and size of room (Room Scale). And standing mode, equivalent to the fixed mode, and two competitors offer similar functionality without walking in the room; size of room (Room Scale) is unique and requires at least 2mx1.5M of the available space.
Valve stressed first thing, when installing for the first time, SteamVR provides a simple set of boot process, different space can play a variety of games, eliminating user confusion to the space required. Moreover, wear a helmet when playing games, SteamVR can provide clear boundaries to remind, in case the player is too excited to hit a wall or tripped.
2. Add a front-facing camera
Wearing VR helmets went in the virtual world, to the real world of the time also took off his helmet, this not exactly friendly for gamers. Developer-oriented HTC Vive Pre helmet added a front-facing camera, so when users need to pause the game when you go for a cup of coffee, can not take off the helmet, using the front-facing camera will be able to see everything (although not picked to see clearly).
3. the provision of PC performance testing software
Experience VR effect, need strong computer graphics performance. So here's the thing, not everyone has the free capital of new equipment. SteamVR provides testing software of the VR Ready, running to your computer, computer can meet the VR used to know now demands, and how big is the gap.
4.VR Steam games store
That is true. Now experience the VR game when need to operate the mouse on the desktop, open the game, then put on his helmet began to play. Understanding Valve developed VR Steam version of the game shop, wear a helmet inside Vive controller find the game on the line--making VR world to come earlier maybe.
5. Board Game Theater
Is the helmet as a head-mounted display using HTC Vive, wear a helmet to play the plain non-VR games (formerly looking screen). HTC Vive PS VR helmet and helmet to the effect is the same, equivalent to 2.5M watched 225-inch big-screen. Anyway, non-VR helmets to play the game.
Second, HTC's recent software upgrade
1.Vive Home customize desktop
First stop into any desktop is a computer system, enter HTC Vive VR system also need an interface, it is called Vive Home, provides custom functionality, you can put shortcuts to the most played games in.
2.Phone Service to connect mobile phone
Can also use Bluetooth, connect phone and HTC Vive systems, wearing a helmet will be able to receive calls, view the phone notification. HTC have only one purpose, let you stay longer in the virtual space, after all, it has in reality been confused for so long.
Three, representing the strength of the game list
The GDC-game developers Conference, Valve has prepared more than 30 types will launch HTC Vive platform game works, and weigh a total of more than more than 50 games in April and consumer devices before and after listing online. "Don't worry about when to buy the equipment but no decent games to play" sum up to expression is the word, then we'll see who is more than more than 30 games.
List of 36 third-party games on:
37th game is developed by Valve themselves of The Lab, which is a full use of the space (Room-Scale) simulation game. Can also be understood as it was Valve's official samples for third party developers to see the game, it shows what HTC Vive VR system can do.
Several Valve official considered most representative games:
1.Unreal Editor
Unreal Editor is not a game, it is produced by Epic's Unreal engine games Editor, now with VR version. Easy developer debugging VR in a VR environment game.
2.Vanishing Realms
RPG game, the highlight is the effect of sword attacks through Vive controllers, experience than traditional handles.
3.Altspace
Social networking-type chess game, the highlight is a multi-user networked play.
4.Brookhaven
Horror games, first person shooter, corpses floating in the dark, before being scared and destroy them with a gun.
5.Everest VR
In the ultimate immersive experience, being careful to cross high in the sky (heights were banned).
Four, Valve and HTC executives interview questions and answers
There are many answers to be revealed about HTC Vive, Valve and HTC executives at the GDC Conference responded to China's 10 questions most reporters.
Chet Faliszek--Valve game producer (left)
Daniel O'Brien--HTC Vice President of planning and management of virtual reality (right)
Bao Yongzhe--HTC Vice President of new technology based on virtual reality
1.HTC Vive platform has a number of different categories of games and applications, in your opinion, when VR devices, like gaming consoles as popular?
Chet Faliszek: VR now has reached a certain level of quality of the content. We believe our helmet the device slowly into the family of some consumers, we will share their experience on VR. I think the popularity of VR more by truly seeing and experiencing the VR products. We always want to do the first step, we developed the VR experience could be, of course, I am interested in see developers, to what degree do.
2.Steam game platform in the country do not provide services for Chinese users, you can play these games, when can I play?
Bao Yongzhe: VivePort HTC will operate within China app store April born, server at home, guaranteed to be legitimate operations, as long as qualified to review applications can be put up in a timely manner.
3. at present, the introduction of more than more than 30 games, how much is the exclusive HTC Vive platform?
Chet Faliszek: we believe that the monopoly on the industry as a whole is not particularly good, so there is no to any of the exclusive game developers do. We should let the developers decide which platform the game should not be limited. (Net of Lei Feng (search for "Lei feng's network", public interest) Note: the Steam game platform also supports HTC competitor Oculus Rift system)
4. the previously mentioned a lot of games and applications, they have high or low demand for hardware, but HTC recommended minimum configuration for performance requirements are very high, does it have to be?
Chet Faliszek: we have now released a recommended computer configuration, 290 and 970 (NVIDIA GeForce ® GTX 970/AMD Radeon ™ R9 290 of equal or higher). Now the configuration is for the developer to make reference, their works at least need to be able to run on this configuration. If the computer is more powerful, you can obtain additional, more detailed picture. For users, we also provide performance test tool, can be used to evaluate your equipment can meet the needs of VR.
5.SteamVR VR version will move some aspects of the planning of the game?
Bao Yongzhe: our current focus is in terms of VR on the PC side.
6. relative to the conventional game controller, Vive design starting point is what? Whether they would welcome third party controllers?
Chet Faliszek: original design when you want users to jump out with rocker XYZ AB this key demand, playing the game this way immersed enough, most important is the sense of immersion in VR, you're in that environment. Vive controller is more natural to use, you have to pull out a bow and arrow, straight pull, exactly like your usual habits entirely. Some customer is took arrows such Kan of, not again with thumb to mobile, I think this is real let you immersed in inside, put you with to so-called of virtual world inside, you is leads of mentality, because you of action not again with finger to do, but like you usually as the how do on how do, so this handles is most natural of, can let you put yiqian was training of shake Rod almost forget.
With regard to the third party controller, for now we hope that can be standardized, but did not rule out next year for a new third party controller development SDK.
7.PlayStation has its own VR system, but Microsoft has not, will consider cooperation with Microsoft's Xbox?
Daniel O'Brien: it's not the plan. We have requirements for GPU, Xbox GPU should run no more. But Valve has its own Steam Box games console, we will take the lead in supporting a new generation of Steam in the future host.
8. Sony has just released the PS VR price, only $ 399, but HTC Vive 799 dollars, what do you think?
Chet Faliszek: two years ago, when HTC and Valve has complete VR experience and system, including Room-scale and 360-degree tracking and front-facing camera, which is performed in accordance with our plans, without any interference. We are very proud to offer a high standard of VR experience and rich content.
9. in the VR helmet on, and will continue to do what improvements or new features.
Chet Faliszek: this helmet we've been updating its firmware. In terms of hardware capabilities, and I can think of is that the future might be in motion feedback (feedback) to add a new design, and adding some new features to the camera.
10.Valve, which is the highest rated game? Victorias Secret Case for iPhone 5
Chet Faliszek: my favorite games are changing at each stage are not the same. I like play Space Pirate Trainer and Brookhaven,Space Pirate Trainer I've been playing the game of terror to the 14th, the two games are very fun and full use of the space (Room-Scale) features. (Lei Feng network Note: both are shooting game)
In short, for HTC who has proven himself on the hardware, the biggest test of software and content, especially in countries where Steam cannot enter.
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Vive Pre VR Developers Kit
Vive Pre VR Developer Kit is available to developers, 2nd Edition Vive Development Kit, it's Vive transition between prototype and the final retail version of the product.
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