Oculus Rift

[SaMa1]

Based on their latest Instagram picture RS.com has obtained an Oculus Rift-development kit. For those that don't know what it is, Oculus Rift is virtual reality head-mounted display (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oculus_Rift)
This is definitely interesting news and could bring another dimension to train simulators.

Some people reactions using the device:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fEds92tY9QQ

I hope we shall see Rift support soon in Railworks.

[PeterPeddlesden]

Comparing that product (Full head on display) and the TrackIR, I think the Track IR would be far superior for simulation driving.
Game Players may think otherwise.

[Mackan]

Comparing that product (Full head on display) and the TrackIR, I think the Track IR would be far superior for simulation driving.
Game Players may think otherwise.

Well, to be fair, I think the Oculus Rift will give a whole over sense of immersion then the TrackIR, when using the TrackIR you are still staring at a computer screen and you're fully aware of your surroundings.
whilst the Oculus Rift basically has the same functions as the TrackIr but it also "eliminates" the surrounding environment giving your senses full focus at what you are seeing from the screen.
Using this for a simulator might give a whole other sense of actually being there rather then having a camera controlled by your head while staring at a screen you are seeing on your desk.
However, some people may actually experience some discomfort whilst using this as you don't have the same awareness of you surrounding environment.

[DavidVI]

I'm hoping to get an Oculus Rift when they're available and if Train Sim supports them i'l be probably the most immersive thing ever :p Wow.

[Fodda]

Great, more support for a product hardly anyone uses, and still no mention of very easily implemented TrackIR support which LOADS of sim users already possess.

[Stone75]

My Pc is next to a wall....if wearing the Occulous Rift......if I stick my head out the cab window.....i'll face plant the wall

Looks to be the future, very immersive. Will need full control without the need to hit a keyboard though as you won't be able to see it.

steve

[Mackan]

Great, more support for a product hardly anyone uses, and still no mention of very easily implemented TrackIR support which LOADS of sim users already possess.

Well, hardly one one uses it since its not even officially released yet, I think this will have a better market in the future then the TrackIR as this will be something both regular gamers as well as sim users might want to use.

It'll be interesting to see if they implement some support for this, I for one would love to see it in the game and see how they would make use of the ability to control the camera.

[ChrisBarnes]

Oooh this is very good news, if RSC do indeed integrate Oculus Rift support. Other than the issue of not being able to see the keyboard as pointed out by Steve, I think that for me at least, this would be the better option between Track IR and OR for one reason in particular. I really struggle to judge distances in RW, especially when driving from the cab, which makes shunting, buffering up and controlled stops more guesswork than skilled braking. I'm pretty certain that it's because a monitor does not provide me with stereoscopic vision of the game. Ever tried walking around the house with one eye closed? Then tried reaching out to pick up a cup of the desk or something? You can get used to it after a while, but without the parallax of stereoscopic vision, distance judgement will always be inferior. Oculus Rift provides the user with stereoscopic vision (granted, at the cost of a much lower screen res), with the added bonus of head tracking that Track IR can provide. If RSC provides OR support, I'll certainly be purchasing a commercial version of the headset when it's released.

Chris

[secludedsfx]

I'm a trackir user and if the OR is all that it's lived up to be then I shall also be a purchaser of the device because of the capability of it to really immerse you within the game.

[tads1970]

I'm not aware of Oculas Rift product,but just on the verge of ordering a Track IR for DCS world,could anybody recommend a good supplier
for the UK.?.I would have though RSC would have went for the more well known product of Track IR over a lesser known product.

Thx

Daz

[Varney]

Meh.

I'd rather they put their time and energy into replacing the woefully outdated and inadequate game engine.

[tads1970]

Meh.

I'd rather they put their time and energy into replacing the woefully outdated and inadequate game engine.

Couldn't agree more Varney,RSC's in-house graphic solutions leave a lot to be desired,even if they go over to Havok
for the physics,will make no difference-you will still get stock reaching silly and laughable acceleration and braking,
enough to keep the children happy though,that age group won't know any better,cue Run 8....pricey but that's life.

Daz

[Mackan]

Meh.

I'd rather they put their time and energy into replacing the woefully outdated and inadequate game engine.

Well, if RSC run their company anyway like a games company is ought to be run, that will be on another team to fix then the team responsible for external hardware support.
But, from what I've seen RSC is run with one goal, to amuse those not aware of how a railroad works to earn as much money as possible, sure, it gives us free upgrades every year..
Not that it helps us that wants a simulator and not a childs game.

[deltic009]

Meh.

I'd rather they put their time and energy into replacing the woefully outdated and inadequate game engine.

Well, if RSC run their company anyway like a games company is ought to be run, that will be on another team to fix then the team responsible for external hardware support.
But, from what I've seen RSC is run with one goal, to amuse those not aware of how a railroad works to earn as much money as possible, sure, it gives us free upgrades every year..
Not that it helps us that wants a simulator and not a childs game.

It seems like you all want a childs forum too, once again detailing threads with moaning and whining off the posted topic.

[OrpheusRocker]

The only way I can see this working is if OR users drive by mouse only (assuming the HUD is in view).
If that's the case then it's not for me. Besides, if OR gets the same support from RSC as they have provided for RailDriver, it will only work part-time anyway