# I Need Help In Choosing A Game/VR System, Please Explain This To Me Like I'm Five **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [November 28, 2018, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-help-in-choosing-a-game-vr-system-please-explain-this-to-me-like-im-five/825218 "2018-11-28T17:32:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![HeyHomie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heyhomie/32/207_2.png) [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2018, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-help-in-choosing-a-game-vr-system-please-explain-this-to-me-like-im-five/825218/1 "2018-11-28T17:32:49Z")
I’ve been out of console gaming for years, but I’m looking at a nice Christmas bonus and may purchase a system to get back into it. However, I have absolutely no idea where to even begin. I think at this point I’ll probably land on a VR system, which essentially puts the XBoxOne out of the running. That leaves: [ul] [li]Oculus Go ($199)[/li][li]Oculus Rift ($399)[/li][li]PlayStation VR (~$199, used)[/li][/ul] What I want, besides the opportunity to play games of course, is the opportunity to watch TV, movies, YouTube video, etc. via the glasses. Can that be done with any (all three) of them? Does it require complicated setup? I assume it syncs with my TV? If I went the PlayStation VR route, does it have functionality with just playing games on my TV, like I would have with a classic PlayStation or XBox or what have you? Or is it limited solely to games via the headset? If it is compatible with playing games on my TV, is it backwards compatible with other PS games? I am so overwhelmed by all of this, lol… ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2018, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-help-in-choosing-a-game-vr-system-please-explain-this-to-me-like-im-five/825218/2 "2018-11-28T17:59:30Z")
[Steam has many games available for VR headsets](https://store.steampowered.com/vr/), including the Oculus Rift, HTC Vibe and Windows Mixed Reality (never heard of this one but I’m not a Microsoft fan so of course I wouldn’t have heard). There are also educational VR videos/films/tours/whatever-the-hell-you-call-VR-content-that-isn’t-a-game as well as general software for making things for VR headsets. ---
**Author:** ![pieceoftheuniverse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7993a0/32.png) [@pieceoftheuniverse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pieceoftheuniverse)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2018, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-help-in-choosing-a-game-vr-system-please-explain-this-to-me-like-im-five/825218/3 "2018-11-28T18:51:14Z")
The Playstation VR price is misleading, since it doesn’t include either the price of the console (you should really get a Playstation 4 Pro, as VR is very graphically intensive) nor the camera (used, in part, for tracking your head movement), nor the actual games (some are $20, some are $60). All told, it might be somewhere around ~$900 or so. The Oculus is a little cheaper, since you (presumably) already have a computer (though you may need to improve your graphics card). Be aware that you have to have at least a square couple meters of free space. The documentation says you can get away with just a square meter, but the more space, the less likely you’ll blindly bump into things. PS4 VR is compatible with regular PS4 games (and YouTube and TV), though it essentially means you’re playing the game with the screen strapped to your head, as it will ignore head-tracking and will rely on your controller for input. The setup for the Oculus can get a little extensive with the placement of the sensors. I recommend looking up the documentation before you decide which system you want to go with. Some people have reported having to re-initialize the sensors (verify your height, do test movements, etc) before they can start a game, or having difficulty with the game space remaining clear. The PS4 setup is a little easier (just make sure the camera can see you). The tracking of motion can be a little inaccurate, though. All that said: VR is a neat gimmick, and most games that implement it are just that: gimmicky. Good for a couple of hours, but not something I can spend too much time with, especially not with the weight of the headset or the occasional tangle of cords. ---
**Author:** ![Lantern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d26b3c/32.png) [@Lantern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lantern)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2018, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-help-in-choosing-a-game-vr-system-please-explain-this-to-me-like-im-five/825218/4 "2018-11-28T18:56:47Z")
It sounds like you don’t own a PS4 in which case you should know that the PSVR isn’t standalone. You need a PS4 to use it. I own an Oculus Go and it works well for media consumption, possibly the best VR solution for that, given its portability. It has some fun, inexpensive games as well but they are relatively casual, like mobile games. The PSVR has better, deeper games like Skyrim VR though they cost substantially more. The Rift is a fine system but you require a good PC to use it. It has some great games as well though again relatively expensive. What you buy really depends on your budget, whether you have or would like to have a PS4/gaming PC, how important portability is to you and how important high-end gaming is to you relative to other VR applications like media consumption. Overall I am happy with my Oculus Go and if you are budget-constrained and would like to dip your feet in VR it’s a good option. ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2018, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-help-in-choosing-a-game-vr-system-please-explain-this-to-me-like-im-five/825218/5 "2018-11-28T19:11:26Z")
Will they all work with PornHub? I’m asking for a friend. ---
**Author:** ![Slash1972](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slash1972/32/6461_2.png) [@Slash1972](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slash1972)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2018, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-help-in-choosing-a-game-vr-system-please-explain-this-to-me-like-im-five/825218/6 "2018-11-28T20:09:39Z")
Strange, I also have a friend who would like to know this answer. ---
**Author:** ![HeyHomie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heyhomie/32/207_2.png) [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2018, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-help-in-choosing-a-game-vr-system-please-explain-this-to-me-like-im-five/825218/7 "2018-11-28T20:10:52Z")
I, too, have a friend who is very interested to know this. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2018, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-help-in-choosing-a-game-vr-system-please-explain-this-to-me-like-im-five/825218/8 "2018-11-28T22:07:01Z")
I just bought a Rift on Black Friday. Vive is native to Steam but Rift is also compatible. Most games on Steam can use both but some exclusively use Vive architecture; Fallout 4, for example. I’ve not seen many use WMR. A few are capable of both VR and normal. Steam also has some erotic games for VR, like the one for quality-assurance testing of sexbots. I’m more interested in soft-porn so I don’t really go for such things. ETA: I know I’ve seen apps for watching video in VR; need to go find them again. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2018, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-help-in-choosing-a-game-vr-system-please-explain-this-to-me-like-im-five/825218/9 "2018-11-28T22:27:01Z")
Just remembered: [Subnautica](https://store.steampowered.com/app/264710/Subnautica/) is one of those games that works in either mode. [Here’s a thread about the game.](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=847586) ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2018, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-help-in-choosing-a-game-vr-system-please-explain-this-to-me-like-im-five/825218/10 "2018-11-28T22:46:21Z")
> [@Skywatcher](#): > > ETA: I know I’ve seen apps for watching video in VR; need to go find them again. Here’s one: [VR Toolbox: 360 Desktop](https://store.steampowered.com/app/488040/VR_Toolbox_360_Desktop/). ---
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2018, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-help-in-choosing-a-game-vr-system-please-explain-this-to-me-like-im-five/825218/11 "2018-11-29T00:19:53Z")
> [@pieceoftheuniverse](#): > > … > PS4 VR is compatible with regular PS4 games (and YouTube and TV), though it essentially means you’re playing the game with the screen strapped to your head, as **it will ignore head-tracking and will rely on your controller for input** … Is that bolded part really right? That would be super disorienting and nausea-inducing. When I used to use my phone for VR occasionally, when it would start to overheat, it would freeze up and that would be very disorienting. I can’t imagine playing an FPS where you basically have to keep your head perfectly still in order to not vomit everywhere. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2018, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-help-in-choosing-a-game-vr-system-please-explain-this-to-me-like-im-five/825218/12 "2018-11-29T00:42:23Z")
Note that if you watch a 2D video on a VR headset (any of them), all you’ll get is a 2D screen floating in front of your head. The depth information just isn’t there. In principle, a system could try to interpret the scene and reconstruct the depth information, but even when Hollywood does it, using all of their resources and as much time as they need, and with the help of human experts, it still doesn’t look very good. A consumer-level unaided computer attempting the same thing in real time? That’s going to look terrible, and you shouldn’t even bother trying. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2018, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-help-in-choosing-a-game-vr-system-please-explain-this-to-me-like-im-five/825218/13 "2018-11-29T03:42:14Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > Note that if you watch a 2D video on a VR headset (any of them), all you’ll get is a 2D screen floating in front of your head. The depth information just isn’t there. Although some apps, like VR Toolbox, can make it look like you’re watching a big screen TV in a media room. ---
**Author:** ![Lantern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d26b3c/32.png) [@Lantern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lantern)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2018, 6:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-help-in-choosing-a-game-vr-system-please-explain-this-to-me-like-im-five/825218/14 "2018-11-29T06:44:28Z")
Yeah the movie-watching experience in VR with the right app is pretty good. If you use decent noise-cancelling headphones, it may be the most immersive way to watch movies. The biggest issue is a lack of resolution since the actual screen is so close to your eyes. In a couple of years we will probably get 4k screens for VR and the movie-watching experience will rival the real thing. Though I haven’t done it myself, I have read of people using VR on flights for watching movies and reporting a good experience. Personally I like for causal games which I play in small bursts. VR works well for rail shooters and I have been playing a game called Smash Hit which is great fun. I have also been enjoying a mini-golf game called Cloudlands. I also enjoy VR for short educational experiences : Titans of Space which takes you on a tour through the Solar System, Anne Frank VR about the house where she hid, Apollo 11 VR about the moon landing etc. And finally, and this may well be the killer app for the Oculus Go: Wander which is basically Google Street View in VR. ---
**Author:** ![BeepKillBeep](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/9e8a1a/32.png) [@BeepKillBeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BeepKillBeep)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2018, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-help-in-choosing-a-game-vr-system-please-explain-this-to-me-like-im-five/825218/15 "2018-11-29T13:56:06Z")
I own an Oculus Rift, and I love it. Supposedly it is heavier than the Vive, but I don’t find it personally to be subjectively heavy at all. It works very well, and there are quite a few excellent games for the Rift. Thumper Elite Dangerous Raw Data Robo Recall and so on. If you get the Rift, get the extra sensor so you can support room scale VR though. Now, the thing is, the Oculus Quest is coming out next year, and it is wireless. If you absolutely have to get VR now, well, I’d get the Rift. But if you can wait, I’d wait for the Oculus Quest. It looks absolutely amazing! I’ll be getting one when it comes out to replace my Rift because the biggest problem with the current VR headsets is the wire, especially for room scale games. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2018, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-help-in-choosing-a-game-vr-system-please-explain-this-to-me-like-im-five/825218/16 "2018-11-29T15:54:43Z")
[There are concerns about the Quest’s battery life, though](https://www.techradar.com/reviews/oculus-quest): > [@](#): > > Speaking of things you can’t upgrade, no one we found could give us a definitive answer on how long the Oculus Quest’s battery would last for – with some stations changing out headsets every four-to-five demos. Demoers say the change was to ensure the optimal performance for the headset, but battery life is still a likely suspect for the switch. > > If the battery doesn’t last more than a few hours, that wouldn’t surprise us. After all, the Quest needs to display video, communicate with controllers and pump out audio all at the same time. It’s worth keeping in mind that Oculus’ first standalone headset – the Oculus Go – could really only hold a charge for about two hours of use before needing a three-hour period to recharge. We can’t be sure, but the Quest looks like it’s heading in the same direction. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2018, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-help-in-choosing-a-game-vr-system-please-explain-this-to-me-like-im-five/825218/17 "2018-11-29T16:00:01Z")
> [@Lantern](#): > > this may well be the killer app for the Oculus Go: Wander which is basically Google Street View in VR. There’s also Google Earth VR, which is free via Steam for Rift & Vive. ---
**Author:** ![BeepKillBeep](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/9e8a1a/32.png) [@BeepKillBeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BeepKillBeep)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2018, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-help-in-choosing-a-game-vr-system-please-explain-this-to-me-like-im-five/825218/18 "2018-11-29T20:25:34Z")
> [@Skywatcher](#): > > [There are concerns about the Quest’s battery life, though](https://www.techradar.com/reviews/oculus-quest): Four hours is acceptable (for me). Two hours is not. Just have to wait and see. But barring any issues like that, I’m very excited for it. ---
**Author:** ![Lantern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d26b3c/32.png) [@Lantern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lantern)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2018, 5:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-help-in-choosing-a-game-vr-system-please-explain-this-to-me-like-im-five/825218/19 "2018-11-30T05:19:59Z")
The Quest looks interesting but it will be limited by the processor which is 2017’s Snapdragon 835 on 2019 hardware. I think some people will be implicitly expecting an experience similar to the Rift and they will be disappointed because the Quest simply lacks the horsepower. Still it’s a step in the right direction and having 6 degrees of freedom and touch controllers on mobile VR will be great. Personally I think VR is already decent but to be truly amazing it needs one big resolution bump and then improvements in processing particularly on the mobile side. The PSVR 2 on the PS5, in a few years, may well be the breakthrough device. On the mobile side it may take 4-5 years for the Quest to truly fulfill its potential. ---
**Author:** ![AngelSoft](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/angelsoft/32/440_2.png) [@AngelSoft](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AngelSoft)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2018, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-help-in-choosing-a-game-vr-system-please-explain-this-to-me-like-im-five/825218/20 "2018-11-30T17:48:03Z")
I’ve got the PS4 VR but only because money was a concern for me and there was a great sale for Black Friday. I don’t really like the lack of games for the system but again, I couldn’t afford any of the other ones. My PC can’t give them the power they need and since I already have a PS4 it was the best choice. That being said, it’s not a bad system. I am a bit disappointed with the low res for some of the games (Skyrim, looking at you) but I still have fun. No matter what system you get, I HIGHLY recommend Beat Saber. Totally fun game! [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-help-in-choosing-a-game-vr-system-please-explain-this-to-me-like-im-five/825218.md?page=2)