Years after its inception and development, the Oculus Rift has finally shipped out to excited VR fans. The virtual reality system, one of the most-awaited headgears in the fledgling industry, draws mixed reactions from observers and first-time users alike.
According to ABC News, one of the very first reactions has to come from Ross Martin, a software developer based in Anchorage, Alaska. Martin is the first customer to purchase an Oculus Rift when the pre-orders for the VR headset went live. The software developer said, "I was really impressed with the sensation of feeling like I was in a different place and kept on trying to reach out and touch things."
Martin added that the $599 price tag – in addition to the cost of upgrading the computer to meet the VR headset's requirements – is worth it. He stated, "I suppose it was the appeal of being transported to different worlds. Everyone wants to be able to fly or visit the moon, and there's never been anything quite like this before."
Geoffrey A. Fowler of The Wall Street Journal, however, said that in addition to the hefty price, the system feels awkward and dragging once the novelty wears off. Fowler believes that for most VR fans who are not into heavy gaming (the Rift is said to be designed for hardcore gamers), the Samsung Gear VR – made in partnership with Oculus – may be the more preferred choice. According to the industry observer the price tag of the Rift is unjustified graphics-wise, as it apparently delivers the same graphics and display performance as the Gear VR.
The Samsung Gear VR retails for a little over $100.
Meanwhile, the Oculus Rift is only the first of gaming-focused VR headsets to hit the market. Next month, the HTC Vive is set to make its appearance, and is considered to be the priciest of the new headgears with a reported retail price of $799. Later in the year, Sony is set to release its PlayStation VR system, confirmed to have a price tag of $399.
