Quote from FedtStensDyr :

Don´t want to derail the thread any further, but I don´t share your take on how Steam prices are set(I could be wrong of course). Didn´t want to start an argument, just state that they go for the money, as most do these days.

Well a company fails at being a company if they don't "go for the money". Steam is not the publisher of games on Steam, it is simply the distributor. Publishers set the prices for games.

Quote from Scawen :

force people to keep buying the latest version of Windows.

http://www.pcworld.com/article/2873214/windows-10-will-be-a-free-upgrade-for-windows-7-and-8-users.html

Quote from Scawen :

It would definitely be good to have a unified interface so your program can render on whatever VR goggles you install.

I hope that Oculus and Valve will work together on the software and make it easy for developers to make their games compatible with both headsets and that there won't be any exclusive games. You know like, on consoles - Forza only for Xbox and Gran Turismo only for Playstation.

Relations between Oculus and Valve are good as far as I know. Gabe Newell (co-founder of Valve) even apeared in Rift's Kickstarter video encourging people to support Oculus.

Quote from Scawen :

I don't expect to jump in and buy any early dev kits of this or any other headsets. More likely to see how it goes and maybe wait until they have matured a bit.

Valve was giving free prototypes of their Steam Machines to beta testers so I wouldn't be surprised if they will be giving their devkits for free to selected developers, expecialy that there is only ~ 6months between devkit and consumer version release so they will have to get as many devs on board as soon as possible, unless they want to release a headset with no games to play on. If you would brag that your game is in top 5 on Oculus Share they would be begging you to take that devkit from them.


SCS software (Euro Truck Simulator devs) will be getting their devkit soon:
http://oi58.tinypic.com/10odu06.jpg

And will cost 500 euros as always,or even more!

As I expected they will be offering the devkits for free:
http://arstechnica.com/gaming/2015/03/valve-to-offer-htc-vive-developer-edition-for-free/

So I think you should sign up Scawen. You get ~$500 worth of hardware for free and LFS could be one of the few games compatible with Vive at launch day, which would attract ALOT of new players who would potentialy buy a license.

Of course such decision would cause many people to moan because it would be a "distraction from physics" but I believe I and Amynue wouldn't be the only ones who would actually support you because (in my opinion) it is well worth the effort. Maybe it'll even be easier as you have some experience now.

Thanks. Please do post here again if you hear that signing up is open!

Sign ups are now being taken

http://steamcommunity.com/steamvr

Or from within steam go to the store page, then Hardware->SteamVR in the store banner menu.

I'd like to chime in with a different alternative which, even though it has its limitations (still under development to keep improving), it is dirt cheap, it is already available and will play a vast number of games (including LFS, GTR 2, Skyrim, GTA 5, War Thunder... and well, the list is long).

It's a project I'm currently working on called Trinus VR.

In a nutshell, it's a software solution that uses your smartphone to display PC games and provide headtracking. Just add a Google Cardboard/VR One/Homido or similar and you are good to go.

Hit the website for download links and details on how it works: trinusvr.com
There's a free test version, and I'd be happy to hear some feedback.

From the steam page -

The HTC Vive
Developer Edition
Includes the following:
HEADSET
The VR headset has a 1080x1200 pixels screen in front of each eye with a refresh rate of 90fps. An audio jack is included to plug in your own headphones.
GAME CONTROLLERS
Two VR game controllers (one for each hand) are included allowing you to use virtual objects and interact with the virtual word. The position of each controller is also tracked in space by the base stations.
BASE STATIONS
Two base stations track your physical location (in spaces up to 15x15 feet) A gyrosensor, accelerometer, and laser position sensor combine to precisely track the rotation of your head on both axes to an accuracy of 1/10th of a degree.

Thanks, I've applied for a Vive. There wasn't much space to write anything. I could just give our web address and two short lines of description. And contact details. We'll see if we get selected.

Good luck, I demand gear shifting animations and a "freeroam" walking mode if you get selected!

Quote from Scawen :

Thanks, I've applied for a Vive. There wasn't much space to write anything. I could just give our web address and two short lines of description. And contact details. We'll see if we get selected.

There is a 128 characters limit to be exact, that's hardly enough to mention name of the game and genre. It's a pity for the people working on some innovative and complex VR projects. You probably didn't even have enough space to mention that LFS is one of the top rated games on Oculus Share.

Well, good luck. Let us know if you are choosen or not.

Keep an eye on E3, apparently lots of VR, Occ Rift will do CandyCrush 3D to support Win 10 ! DX 12 will require the same spec PC as the Occ Rift spec and Win 10 will only run on these PC's.


Back to reality, and from there to the gaming world and on topic, Valve seem to have applied for a new(ish) patent for VR, Project Chaperone.

The USPTO application states that "Chaperone" is for: "hardware and software, sensors, and beacons for the detection and measurement of physical objects and the representation of such objects in virtual reality environments; devices used for the detection and measurement of physical objects and the representation of such objects in virtual reality environments; electronic apparatus for the detection and measurement of physical objects and the representation of such objects in virtual reality environments."
http://au.ign.com/articles/2015/05/20/valve-files-for-vr-related-chaperone-trademark

Conspiracy theory time !!!: C is the third letter of the alphabet, small spelling change, "hope r on."

Half life 3 is being released and is 3D !

Still, the HTC/Vive thing is looking more hopeful than CandyCrushCorp.
http://arstechnica.com/gaming/2015/05/humanity-weeps-as-candy-crush-saga-comes-pre-installed-with-windows-10/

"When Oculus launches its first consumer product in 2016, virtual reality porn will come along with it. At least, that seems to be the inevitable consequence of Oculus founder Palmer Luckey’s decision not to block the adult entertainment industry from utilizing the headset for its raunchy purposes. When asked about how he would deal with such applications of the headset at a panel at Monday’s Silicon Valley Virtual Reality Conference, Palmer responded, “The rift is an open platform. We don’t control what software can run on it. And that’s a big deal.”
http://www.digitaltrends.com/wearables/oculus-virtual-reality-porn-is-coming-and-no-one-plans-to-stop-it/

"2 girls, one headset ?"

Actually, as a very short, yet disturbing, search shows, its here all ready !
Find your own links.

Vive dev kits have begun shipping apparently, did Scawen get one?

No, I never heard a single thing apart from the initial "thank you for your interest" on their website. Not even an email acknowledgement.

Quote from Amynue :

What I really like about the Vive is that it doesn't use external camera for possitional tracking. Camera makes Rift harder to set up and if you want to use it with a laptop it's a pain in the ass.

It actually has two. And they need to be set up at right-angles to one another about 2 metres apart. Not ideal for users with limited space, or laptops I'm thinking...

Quote from Scawen :

No, I never heard a single thing apart from the initial "thank you for your interest" on their website. Not even an email acknowledgement.

OK, I can't do this but if you have signed up can you see this page ?

Can you post here ?

Have you played with this ?

More than this free support, I charge for.

Please PM if you want me to sort this for LFS.....
I only charge for results.

Even cat got his devkit:


Lets hope you will be chosen for the next wave.

Looks like it'll be out on December 8th. Some polish HTC exec spilled the beans in an interview.

https://www.reddit.com/r/oculus/comments/3ptc0n/htc_product_commercialisation_manager_leak_date/

So did you hear anything from them, Scawen?
If they think that Job Simulator is more important than LFS then screw them.

I never heard from them. I did only fill in that web form once. Maybe I should write to them and just let them know I am happy to write LFS support for the Vive.

EDIT: I cannot find any way to write an email to them. Logged into my steam account (which I created on 22 April so I could apply for a Vive). Created a steam support account. Still, no matter what I click, I can't find a way to send them a message.

I know Joe Ludwig works for Valve on VR projects, maybe shoot him a message here. http://www.valvesoftware.com/email.php

Also gaben(at)valvesoftware.com for the head honcho himself.

Thanks for that. I've sent one to Joe Ludwig.

Got a reply from Valve. Looks positive so far, will let you know if I receive a Vive. I hope it'll be easy to code for.

It's good to support these things. VR and simulators go together very well.

For all the LFS users who aren't too interested in VR, don't worry. Eric and I have been continuing to work on some good updates.