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I'm still not sold on VR, as to me it's still like 3D where lots of people talked it up and it never really went anywhere.

Oculus dropped Linux support some time ago, but it seems they plan to add it back in. The Founder of Oculus said this on twitter:

@janoc200 Linux support is on the roadmap post-launch, Mac support is on the roadmap post-decent Apple hardware release, whenever that is.

— Palmer Luckey (@PalmerLuckey) December 8, 2015



I also read a blog post from Time Doctor, who used to write for the now defunct LinuxGames website, and he summed up my thoughts rather well:
QuoteFinally, as an expectant father, I cannot imagine a scenario in the next two years where I will be able to use a completely-detached experience like the Rift while my family needs my attention. This product seems to be only targeted at people who are either totally alone or have no responsibilities in the outside world for extended periods of time. Awareness of the world around you is going to be a big problem with every HMD.


That, plus the price is going to be an issue for lots of people. You need a beefy computer to use it, plus the price of the kit itself and I just don't currently see it really taking off.

I even tried a low-end VR headset recently, and found it to be amusing for a couple minutes, but I just can't see it being £400-500's worth of fun. Add in the taxes and shipping to get it sent to your country of choice, and it adds up to even more. Until the price comes down, I don't see it gaining mass appeal. People are strapped from cash enough trying to upgrade their computers, and considering their hardware it needs to run I don't see all that many people actually affording it.

I will be keeping an eye on it when they come back with Linux support, as I would like to be wrong on it. Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
Tags: Hardware
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I am the owner of GamingOnLinux. After discovering Linux back in the days of Mandrake in 2003, I constantly came back to check on the progress of Linux until Ubuntu appeared on the scene and it helped me to really love it. You can reach me easily by emailing GamingOnLinux directly. Find me on Mastodon.
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Beamboom Jan 8, 2016
I can't understand how one can not be allowed to have a few hours time for him/herself in the evenings now and then even if a baby is in the picture. I mean, seriously. What spouse don't allow that? Being married with children is not a jail. A family doesn't demand your attention every wake minute.

Furthermore I can not fathom how one can not be excited about the prospect of entering the game world, engulf it all around you. I just don't get it.

Obviously, I am dying to get this technology. The wait is finally over. It's been a dream ever since I saw the holodeck on Star Trek. And yes, I got a wife and children - the youngest being 6 months. As if that in any way shape or form should be an obstacle.


Last edited by Beamboom on 8 January 2016 at 10:07 pm UTC
Liam Dawe Jan 8, 2016
Quoting: BeamboomI can't understand how one can not be allowed to have a few hours time for him/herself in the evenings now and then even if a baby is in the picture. I mean, seriously. What spouse don't allow that? Being married with children is not a jail. A family doesn't demand your attention every wake minute.

I'm going to guess you don't have your own family? They take up a lot of time.

Quoting: BeamboomFurthermore I can not fathom how one can not be excited about the prospect of entering the game world, engulf it all around you. I just don't get it.

Obviously, I am dying to get this technology. The wait is finally over. It's been a dream ever since I saw the holodeck on Star Trek. And yes, I got a wife and children - the youngest being 6 months. As if that in any way shape or form should be an obstacle.
It's an exciting thought, but after testing out VR myself I was left feeling a little weirded out by it. I didn't feel immersed at all as I was very aware I had something strapped to my face, with screens right in front my eyes which causes eye strain after a while.
linux_gamer Jan 8, 2016
Quoting: Palmer LuckeyLinux support is on the roadmap post-launch...
sounds good, but I'm not a Palmer fan.
Quoting: Palmer Luckey... Mac support is on the roadmap post-decent Apple hardware release, whenever that is.
Gotta <3 him now!
Beamboom Jan 8, 2016
Quoting: TheBossI'm going to guess you don't have your own family? They take up a lot of time.

Like I said, I'm married with two kids. And they do take time - but DAYTIME. Kids go to bed around eight in the evening!

Quoting: TheBossIt's an exciting thought, but after testing out VR myself I was left feeling a little weirded out by it. I didn't feel immersed at all as I was very aware I had something strapped to my face, with screens right in front my eyes which causes eye strain after a while.

I assume you've tested an Oculus devkit, and I've tested those too (we got a devkit v1 at work). And those kits were not of production quality - the final version will both be lighter, less lag and with much better screens.

It's not that I think I'll forget I got a facemask on, but I fully expect the experience to be a lot greater than these devkits. Reports from guys who's tested the latest builds do claim the same.


Last edited by Beamboom on 8 January 2016 at 11:11 pm UTC
SketchStick Jan 8, 2016
HTC Vive Pre has added a camera into their unit so you can see what's going on around you without having to take it off.

Personally I don't really have an interest in the Oculus Rift since the HTC Vive clearly provides a much more immersive experience if you have the space for it.
Liam Dawe Jan 8, 2016
Quoting: Beamboom
Quoting: TheBossI'm going to guess you don't have your own family? They take up a lot of time.

Like I said, I'm married with two kids. And they do - in the DAYTIME. But kids go to bed like seven/eight in the evening!

I see what you're saying, but I don't agree with how you're thinking on it.

I couldn't put a kid to bed, slap on a VR headset and completely erase myself from a partner for an evening. It's weird, it's being isolated.
Beamboom Jan 8, 2016
Quoting: TheBossI couldn't put a kid to bed, slap on a VR headset and completely erase myself from a partner for an evening. It's weird, it's being isolated.

Not even once in a while? In your cave while she's watching some series she enjoy in the livingroom? Or while she's doing some of her hobbies? You two are going to choke each other if you don't give each other space, man!

Hell, was I kept away from gaming because of a spouse I can say right away it'd never work, ever.


Last edited by Beamboom on 8 January 2016 at 11:19 pm UTC
chrisq Jan 8, 2016
Quoting: TheBossI'm going to guess you don't have your own family? They take up a lot of time.

Quoting: BeamboomFurthermore I can not fathom how one can not be excited about the prospect of entering the game world, engulf it all around you. I just don't get it.

Obviously, I am dying to get this technology. The wait is finally over. It's been a dream ever since I saw the holodeck on Star Trek. And yes, I got a wife and children - the youngest being 6 months. As if that in any way shape or form should be an obstacle.
It's an exciting thought, but after testing out VR myself I was left feeling a little weirded out by it. I didn't feel immersed at all as I was very aware I had something strapped to my face, with screens right in front my eyes which causes eye strain after a while.

Do you even read the posts you reply to, he clearly states he has a family.
I don't see how using screens attached to your face takes more time away from your family that looking across the room.

My friends and myself have children and we have no problem finding time for ourselves. Not being a single parent and keeping a proper bed time for the children helps.
Liam Dawe Jan 8, 2016
Quoting: Beamboom
Quoting: TheBossI couldn't put a kid to bed, slap on a VR headset and completely erase myself from a partner for an evening. It's weird, it's being isolated.

Not even once in a while? In your cave while she's watching some series she enjoy in the livingroom? Or while she's doing some of her hobbies? You two are going to choke each other if you don't give each other space, man!

Hell, was I kept away from gaming because of a spouse I can say right away it'd never work, ever.

Of course now and then, but to pay that much (The PC needed, the headset itself etc) all for something I wouldn't realistically be able to put lots of time into, it's too much for me. We have very different views on family time and partner time it seems, so I will agree to disagree on this.

Quoting: chrisqDo you even read the posts you reply to, he clearly states he has a family.
I don't see how using screens attached to your face takes more time away from your family that looking across the room.

My friends and myself have children and we have no problem finding time for ourselves. Not being a single parent and keeping a proper bed time for the children helps.

Of course I read the posts I reply to, do you think I am an idiot? People stating something on the internet doesn't make it instantly true, I didn't believe him honestly, but as above we seem to just have very different views/different relationships.
Beamboom Jan 8, 2016
My married colleagues and I all spend at least two full evenings a week doing gaming or programming or composing music or whatever it is we want to spend our spare time doing. Then we got the weekends where we typically do stuff with the family. But weekdays? After the kids are to bed? I'm firing up Steam, baby - it's time to kill that boss! :)
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