Pre-orders for the HTC Vive will open on the 29th of February. Prior to the announcement, HTC released a second-generation developer version of the virtual reality headset called the Vive Pre at CES 2016.
HTC has collaborated with Valve to create a consumer VR headset catered especially for gaming. The HTC Vive – if delivered on time – would be the third consumer VR headset to be made available to the public. Just behind the Samsung Gear VR as well as the Oculus Rift, which is estimated to be delivered earliest by March 2016.
However, HTC and Valve remains tight-lipped about the price of their upcoming VR headset. Despite this, many are expecting the HTC Vive to cost slightly lower compared to the highly debated price of the Oculus Rift (RM2,700). Although, the price estimations of the HTC Vive may be fallacious, since the VR headset does come with a front-facing camera as well as the included sensors that was showcased with the Vive Pre. The additions combines real world image and motion with an artificial one, which will enable consumers to roam around without worrying about their surroundings affecting the VR experience.
Whether the HTC Vive will cost lower or more expensive compared to the Oculus remains to be seen. One thing is for sure, a powerful machine is required to run either of the upcoming VR headsets. As mentioned earlier by Nvidia, only 1% of PC and laptop users would be able to run the current generation VR headsets due to their absurd hardware requirements. Whichever way you look at it, VR gaming will – for now – be exclusive to those with deep pockets.
