And in one fell swoop checking off two big ticket items on the VR enthusiast wish-list. That being higher resolution displays for each eye and an option to remove at least some of the ungodly amount of wires required in setting up and playing in VR. Both announcements came at CES 2018, alongside word of updates to HTC Viveport subscription and Vive Video services.

Of course the big announcement comes with the HTC Vive Pro, which will come with dual OLED displays sporting resolutions of 2880 x 1600. Not quite 4K, but a big improvement none the less, representing a 78% increase over the current Vive. Not limited to a resolution bump the Vive Pro also introduces built-in, high-performance headphones, dual microphones with active noise cancellation and dual front-facing cameras. Plus, a redesign to the headset that aims to decrease the weight on the front.


The second big announcement, the Vive Wireless Adaptor is based on Intel’s WiGig technology and will support both the HTC Vive and Vive Pro when it debuts later in the year.

“Wireless VR has been on nearly every VR user’s wishlist since the technology was unveiled,” said Frank Soqui, General Manager Virtual Reality Group at Intel Corporation. “By collaborating with HTC to commercialize Intel’s WiGig technology, we will guarantee that wireless VR meets the most discerning quality bar for home users and business VR customers.”

Very cool.

Also announced, a partnership with streaming service Vimeo for curated VR-specific video content and a revamp to Viveport VR that will see the service introduce immersive room-scale previews.

indeed... updated... misread the press release

Is VR really any thing other than a gimmick right now? I saw an announcement from CCP not long ago saying they were selling off the VR division of the company and all VR related titles/IP. Someone brought a Vive into work, the novelty factor was huge, but once I took it off I wasn't really inclined to ever bother looking at it again. Some of the driving simulation stuff looks super cool and I can see it being huge for flight simulators.

No but it will sure help everything that already runs on it.

VR is de way

It's more than a gimmick, I had originally written it off as a gimmick and lumped it in the same category as motion controls, but after trying it myself, there's definitely something real and worthwhile there. But yeah, still feels like there hasn't really been a game/app that really makes it feel like a must have. Vast majority of things are these VR 'experiences' that you can finish in a couple of hours but still often cost as much as a full game.

I guess it's a bit of tricky thing though cos no studio is going to put the time and resources into making a really big game just for VR because the market isn't yet big enough to make it worthwhile, but then the market isn't going to get much bigger without those kinds of games. To their credit, Sony is doing a pretty successful job of pushing PlayStation VR and are supporting it with a lot of games, so while I have no interest in PSVR myself it could be a good thing for VR in general; if there's a big install base for PSVR then it makes it more viable to do those big titles and go multiplatform with them

Higher res and wireless are two nice features for the next gen of VRs.

Now all I need to do is rob a bank to buy a graphics card which can render 2880 x 1600 @ 90Hz smoothly.

Eye tracking as standard is still a required feature for game development IMO.
Extra point would go to a inward facing camera to pick up on facial expressions to be transposed onto ingame characters.

i'm looking forward to getting into it. My friend got one after trying it once for an hour (also put a hole in a mates wall accidently), 5k for a good setup. Only trouble is i've got 2 small kids and i can see them (as well as myself and the missus) getting overly addicted to it. I think the market is getting bigger, and will get bigger still.

Heh the cost of the surgery is the same as the resolution of the Pimax. It's a sign dude.

"Heh the cost of the surgery is the same as the resolution of the Pimax. It's a sign dude."

Oh yeh baby. Had my test and I know this sounds weird, but Lucky me!! I DO have a cataract in my right eye...so I get to have the awesome surgery and get it at a great price! I'm in for the 4th and 10th of April to get 'em replaced. And that's great because the wife and I are off to Hawaii for our 35th wedding anniversary on May 5th and the eyes will be all up and running and all I'll need is some cool looking sunnies! NO glasses for me! The sister in law had her eyes done last week and she is loving the difference. No glasses anymore and everything looks pin sharp. I cant wait. For both the eyes, and the VR. It's going to be a good year for a change! schwinng! :)