The other problem with gaming is the controller. I have no doubt that Apple will come up with some unique way of interacting with the device, but I'm not convinced it will be adequate for serious gaming. For a lot of people, not being able to see the controller will be a problem.
The joystick is a proven controller and yet PC games couldn't assume everyone to have one. And so even space flight simulators are often controlled by keyboard and mice. It's the least common denominator who always wins out. And that's an iPhone or a PC without VR headset.
Very true. And today's controllers for consoles are pretty much a standard layout that everyone knows. I think it will be very hard to make a controller for VR that is as functional as the game-pad style most people use today.
Most newer VR controllers follow the layout of the Oculus Touch controllers, which are basically a standard gamepad split in half, but without the dpad and with 2 face buttons on each side instead of all 4 on the right side. A lot of functionality that may have been assigned to a dpad, like turning on a flashlight, can be done in other ways in VR, such as tapping the side of your head to turn on a headlamp.
Also, the spatial tracking of the controllers means you can do things that are not intuitive or even possible on a standard controller. Beat Saber uses no buttons, but the gameplay couldn't be replicated on a standard gamepad. Anyone can play it with zero previous gaming experience.
My biggest concern with Apple's VR device is that they won't follow the standard that Oculus set for input, so it will be harder to port many existing games and apps to Apple's device. Not being able to see the controller isn't an issue, and can be one area where VR is easier and more intuitive, because you can show the controller in VR, and even add labels to the buttons that explain what the buttons do.
0.1% of AAA games are available on M-series Macs, and 0.1% of them (so 0.1% of 0.1%) will have an AR/VR version... 😂
Most of the best (in my opinion) VR games are not ports of existing games. Also, this will likely be a standalone device, so I think the more apt comparison is iOS vs Android gaming than it is Mac vs Windows.
If we all bought new technology just because it looks cool or is a cool idea, we'd all have 3D TVs (that was an even bigger flop), HD-DVD, the Ouya, Stadia, the Newton, and Palm Pilots would have beaten the iPhone to the punch.
If we are discussing a class of devices and not just a single device, most of those comparisons aren't really relevant, or actually go against your point. High definition video discs are popular (but not as popular as they could be because of the move to streaming video). The Newton and Palm Pilot are precursors to smartphones.
I am not the only one who won't buy it, which means Apple is wasting engineering talent that could be used elsewhere, like nuking Stage Manager
I suspect that Stage Manager may have a connection to the development of the VR/AR operating system. The UI for it may make more sense for VR where you don't have to worry about the stacks of app windows taking up valuable desktop space.
Or maybe the Apple Car, which is also vaporware at this point.
1.6 Million won't buy this, much less anywhere near half a billion
And how many will buy the Apple car?
What can it do that isn't already being done on a smartphone, tablet, or TV?
What can be done on a tablet that couldn't be done on a desktop or laptop computer?
I've played many games in VR that would be completely different if you attempted to make them as a traditional video game played on a TV.
With VR, there is a major discrepancy between the eyes and the inner ear. You CANNOT overcome this with a headset. The headset is the cause. The only way to overcome this is with a fully immersive VR environment that will for now be technologically impossible, and forever impractical for any consumer.
No, the software is the cause. There are plenty of games and other apps that don't require movement that would cause any discrepancy between the visuals and your inner ear. In fact, some games are less nauseating in VR than they would be on a flat screen.
Of course. But none of those devices is flying off the shelves and there’s never been a breakout VR game despite VR being a thing, as you say, for many years. I think the controller is one aspect of why VR hasn’t taken off and will likely never replace console gaming.
What is your definition of a breakout game? Beat Saber is a hugely popular game for VR. Unless you mean a VR game that's sold more copies than there are VR headsets, which would be silly. As I said above, VR controllers can do pretty much anything a standard controller can, but also add a whole new level of control not possible with gamepads.
Interesting. The idea doesn’t appeal to me at all but I’ve never tried a VR workout app, so what do I know! Maybe it’s more appealing than I realize.
I can be so engrossed in a VR game that I don't realize how physically taxing it is until I stop playing. (but there are also many options for games that aren't physically taxing, if that's your preference)
You are forgetting that VR goggles have been out for many years now. Apple releasing their own versiln
Or VR would not be some kind revolutionary, never before seen product like it was with something like the first Mac or the iPhone.
I want to see a general purpose VR device that has an OS that is comparable to MacOS and iOS/iPadOS. Current VR interfaces are more suited for a gaming console-like experience.
No. Oculus sales are in free fall since 2 years ago
Source, please.
Movies are a social experience. We sit in a dark theater together with a bunch of strangers and have a shared emotional experience. It’s part of what makes movie watching special.
Every movie I've watched in VR has been a social experience. I've watched movies with people in different states and countries. In the non-virtual world, I mostly watch movies alone, and I'd probably do some of that in VR if it were more comfortable.
I would venture to guess that 99% of the people throwing out VR use case examples don’t work in those industries. Anyone who does knows these ideas are pure fantasy. Furthermore, these are all niche market use cases.
I’m rather bullish on the potential of VR, and I find many of the examples people give for the usefulness of VR rather cringey. I think it will be used for gaming, fitness, video/movie watching, and a lot of the tasks people already use desktop computers for.
