Valve has begun shipping the HTC Vive Developer Kit out to selected developers, but it is not yet done teasing everyone else about the VR headset. The company has made the setup guide included with the Developer Kit available for download online. It reveals quite a bit about the HTC Vive and how it will work at home.
The HTC Vive looks like it is going to cost substantially more than other competing headsets, mainly due to all the additional peripherals that go along to make the Vive work. In addition to the headset there are two VR controllers that resemble Nintendo Wii controllers, as well as a pair of base stations for tracking the position of the user. These base stations include additional mounts for attaching them to various places; an important feature considering that they have to be placed at opposite ends of a room.
All this hardware could potentially translate into a premium price for the HTC Vive; which doesn’t even include the price of the computer yet. Naturally, this is speculation; but it is difficult to see the HTC Vive being a gaming peripheral that anyone can afford.
On the other hand, the setup phamplet is illustrated in a way that is easy to follow, and has a charm of its own with the flat silhouettes setting up the HTC Vive. The appendix features a list of items that are not included in the kit, although Valve considers them handy to keep around. Also included are links to buy the equipment on Amazon, which is both extreme considerate of Valve, and excellent advertising for Amazon. These links include one to buy the coffee mug that is featured heavily in the instructions. It really is quite a nice coffee mug.
[Source: Steam]
