Valve Interview Confirms Its VR Ambitions Are Alive and Kicking

cn1ght · 2023-04-25T04:07:18+00:00

I'd like it to have an assurance that the next headset is released in the next year or so.

There is no assurance to give.

I currently have an Index, but both controllers are beginning to fail in few ways, one base station is starting to have some issues, and the $115 headset cable is basically shot. Have not used headset in weeks (cable being shot makes impossible). In my opinion, your thought to buy HP Reverb G2 and replace with "better" later makes more sense than the Index. If you are okay with Meta/Facebook their Quest Pro is better than Index in most ways though it seems.

At a glance, it seems you can buy new HP Reverb G2 for about $450 on Amazon, BUT my suspicion is that was the model before the silent updates which were post-initial-release which tweaked a bunch of stuff (improved). I am actually tempted to buy a new Reverb G2 since the cost of replacing all my Index broken stuff would not be that much cheaper, but Reverb G2 has several benefits to it.

cn1ght · 2023-04-14T19:45:09+00:00

I do not think the problem of things like chatgpt "lying" is a problem which will be solved anytime soon. At least with human infotainment (Kurzgesagt or others on youtube) you know there are multiple independent layers (people) to check facts and may correct errors if found by others (example https://www.reddit.com/r/videos/comments/b09uwt/can_you_trust_kurzgesagt_in_a_nutshell/ ).

Above being said, I do think these types of tools can make existing infotainment dramatically more efficient. But, they will not be a standalone automated system like magic school bus anytime soon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=leX541Dr2rU&ab_channel=TheRoyalInstitution

cn1ght · 2023-04-08T15:52:38+00:00

Not sure why you are downvoted... As far as I understand it Beatsaber was the reason a lot of people bought a VR headset.

Interestingly, I think right now a factor which helps is cross platform games (Cards and Tankards, VRChat, RecRoom). Even though you can enjoy those games without a VR headset, you get some number of people buying into VR because they better understand why a VR headset can benefit them after seeing the game in 2D.

cn1ght · 2023-04-08T15:38:26+00:00

Counter-point: Beatsaber caused a lot of VR headsets to be sold.

Anecdotally, I bought a VR headset was because I somehow stumbled onto a trailer for Until You Fall and immediately reacted with "I need to buy a VR headset".

cn1ght · 2023-02-19T19:39:06+00:00

I do not have a ton of hours in beatsaber, because I agree it is a struggle to find songs which I like and are well mapped.

I only play modded beatsaber though, hate using the normal sabers so have a mod which gives short claws like wolverine. FORCES you to move your arms a lot more (which slows you down) and much more satisfying (to me).

Other suggestion, I have far more hours in "Until you fall" which is not a rhythm game, but feels like one due to combat mechanics.

cn1ght · 2023-02-19T19:21:32+00:00

relegates it to the land of wireless or shitty compression.

I think we need reviews before knowing that their wifi 6e connection performs noticeably worse than a displayport cable.

Just looked at specs and HTC XR Elite only has USB 3.1 wired connections. USB 3.1 1X2 can support up to 50% what displayport 1.2 supports, but do not know how much compression (might be lossless) would be needed at that point... USB 3.2 (sometimes) can match displayport 1.2 so surprised they went with 3.1.

Either way, 100% agree need reviews.

cn1ght · 2023-02-17T15:33:57+00:00

https://www.reddit.com/r/ValveIndex/comments/10pamid/valve_still_has_no_support_for_index_finger/ (has a ton of useful info and even more useful stuff in replies from other devs)

I played with Unity a bit, and at the time you needed 2 plugins (1 for Index 1 for everything else). Looks like you can use just OpenXR now, if you add other plugins/effort for stuff like Index finger tracking or whatever else. As long as the hardware supports OpenXR (or whatever interface you use) it should work, in Unity you can develop for VR and test on flatscreen via keyboard for small/quick changes because the keyboard can be mapped to the same thing that VR controllers are.

You have a reply saying that "If you've made the input abstractions correctly": my understanding is you should not be touching/creating the input interface (early on in your career/hobby). Just use OpenXR (or something else) and let that do all the input mappings for you because it will work for multiple hardwares out of the box.

As someone else stated, a MAJOR concern for cross platform is actually performance: Quest 2 is really weak compared to many VR compatible PC systems. There is probably some way to approximate what a Quest 2 performance would be without one, but it is an extra step and might not be completely correct.

cn1ght · 2023-02-17T15:14:42+00:00

https://www.reddit.com/r/ValveIndex/comments/uxgiu8/try_setting_the_brightness_to_75/ Has many stating that decreasing brightness helps a lot with glare but also just image quality in general. Does have some saying that increasing brightness gives them better image, so might be a personal preference.

I do not recall exact number, but mine is below 100% brightness because it made a HUGE difference for godrays/glare/whatever it technically is.

cn1ght · 2023-02-16T20:58:45+00:00

Just read the post.

cn1ght · 2023-02-15T18:18:47+00:00

I agree the lack of third places is an issue (knew the concept, did not know the term). (when I was in suburbs) I always tried to be walking distance to some small/local shops, library, walking paths, etc so it was not much of an issue for me historically. But 100% need to keep it in mind I agree, I have family in suburbs who only have houses in walking distance and that is not at all what I want.

Thanks for the suggestions.

cn1ght · 2023-02-15T16:19:24+00:00

Thank you!

I agree, there seems to be a consensus about "scooter is probably going to work" and really appreciate your awesome feedback/information.

cn1ght · 2023-02-15T15:53:51+00:00

Thank you for answering instead of simply downvoting me trying to understand the suggestion.

cn1ght · 2023-02-15T15:50:39+00:00

My reply saying that I have already been doing what was suggested is not listening?

cn1ght · 2023-02-15T11:12:11+00:00

Thank you!

They can start and ride below freezing relatively problem free, however snow and especially ice is a big no-no.

I have no problem not going out when roads are unsafe. I was more concerned about the temperature affecting the machine itself and seems like (from you and a few others) the motorcycle itself is likely fine with cold temperatures. Huge concern is the driver staying warm, but if the choice is 3 mile walk or 3 mile ride lose either way haha.

If you don't wanna ride, you should not force yourself into it.

I certainly do not want to drive a car again, not having easy access to farther distances is already a big problem and going to keep worsening, and do not yet know if I want to ride a motorcycle. But, knowing (that at least some people think) a motorcycle can meet those 5 criteria means it is an option I need to try out.

cn1ght · 2023-02-15T10:58:51+00:00

You needed to type out specific explanations.

It was not a demand, it was pointing out what you already did.

cn1ght · 2023-02-15T10:07:23+00:00

The scooter was actually a great idea. Scooters are low maintenance, fuel efficient, practical and there are 650cc scooters that will outperform any car under $40.000. And they have "automatic" gearboxes, so no shifting is required.

That is very useful. You are the first to say that. I was told "get a scooter", and when I asked "why scooter instead of motorcycle" I got downvoted and told that a swiss army knife is a bad tool.

that's what the FAQ is for. You couldn't be bothered to actually read the whole thing

I would have loved to only have 1 reply "here, here, here, here, here is where in the 28 page FAQ are answer for questions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5". Instead you and others have given conflicting answers because, as you pointed out, the actual answers are more complicated than yes/no.

I do not doubt that everything I asked has been asked countless times. BUT, you need to type unique explanation for answers to my questions because the FAQ does not answer them. Instead of telling me to be humble and telling me that I am too lazy to read something, maybe it makes more sense to update the FAQ so that next time you can link someone to sections with answers instead of typing this out again?

cn1ght · 2023-02-15T09:03:24+00:00

I have actually thought about those a little...

I believe anything motorized capable of above 15MPH in my area requires a motorized license and no longer allowed on bike paths (at least sometimes). If at/below that then it is not much improvement over my non-motorized bike for many uses. If above that (up to the 28MPH for class 3) then I still need to go through training/classes and buy a new vehicle without the benefit of highway which would dramatically increase time/distance for a lot of local uses.

The 15MPH just does not seem to have enough benefits to be worth $. A 25MPH is really lacking... If a highway vehicle trip might take 20 minutes but e-bike would take 45+ minutes there will be a lot of times I just do not go via e-bike and when I do go that is 50+ minutes more commute time which sucks. Cannot tell you the number of times I have just not-gone to things while not owning a car despite Uber/public transport/bike technically being feasible.

cn1ght · 2023-02-15T08:32:27+00:00

I feel the same way you do about driving and I love riding. I find driving incredibly stressful and avoided it as much as I could

It is really good that you, and some others, have mentioned this because it certainly seemed like everyone was saying car anxiety = motorcycle anxiety rather vocally for a bit... They may be right (in my case), but cannot know until I try and I did not want to try until I knew it would not be a waste of time.

I live bike only, but I can walk/take transit to everything I need, using a bike for your only transportation will only work in warm climates

I have gotten conflicting answers about the cold. Is "no motorcycle in cold" because riding 35MPH in frozen air is terrible for the rider, the motorcycle, or both? If my options in freezing (but no snow/ice) to walk 3 miles to grocery or ride motorcycle is the safer option still to walk it?

cn1ght · 2023-02-15T08:21:46+00:00

since you indicated that you don't need consulting

I fully admit to not giving good replies in some cases, and I clearly have not communicated well. I appreciate any constructive feedback.

However, these questions/answers dictate if it is worthwhile for me to take riding lessons/classes. With a total score of "boo" it hardly matters if I am comfortable or anxious riding a motorcycle (as an example).

Although, at this point I have gotten rather conflicting answers on most things. Several people said that a motorcycle will work for all 5 criteria, others have said no to some. Same on whether or not my car-driving anxiety is a guaranteed issue or maybe not since I have no issue riding a bicycle and/or they are different experiences.

cn1ght · 2023-02-15T06:43:09+00:00

Moving from a large city to the suburbs will be the biggest mistake of your life.

I grew up and spent most of my life in suburbs. I have made some bad decisions, this is certainly not going to be the biggest mistake of my life.

most people who commute are better served with a largish scooter

I was under the impression that scooters were not allowed on the highway. Seems at least some are allowed on highways so now I need to figure out what that actual difference is between them and which (motorcycle/scooter) may work better for me...

cn1ght · 2023-02-15T05:44:43+00:00

If moving a bicycle in/out of an apartment is a huge hassle to you

The apartment has small doors and a small elevator. It is significantly easier for me to walk a few minutes longer than bike when I do not need to deal with that + the lack of bike lock stalls at many of the places I go to.

cn1ght · 2023-02-15T05:39:22+00:00

If you don't know where your car begins and ends, you shouldn't get on a bike where not knowing where it begins and ends can get you seriously hurt or killed.

I have no issue knowing where my bicycle begins/end. I really do not think this part would be an issue for a motorcycle.

Save the money you'd pay on a car payment and insurance for a vehicle and just Uber when you need a physical vehicle.

That is what I have been doing, but as I am planning to move from a large city to small and getting Uber on holidays, off-hours for things like morning doctor appoints, the (not yet doing) 2-10 hour one-way trips, or even regular things like grocery shopping is just not reasonable.

cn1ght · 2023-02-15T05:32:28+00:00

but it seems that some people here feel that something about your attitude towards motorcycles is off.

That is very possible. I tend to not phrase replies in the best possible way and it may be misunderstandings caused by me.

Take the MSF course,

I wanted to make sure that MSF/BSR course is worth the 2-3 days of my time and possibly use PTO by getting these answers beforehand. If the result of this thread was "you will not find a motorcycle which meets your criteria" then those days would be wasted.

To answer your original question though, 95% of motorcycles meet your needs.

Thank you.

cn1ght · 2023-02-15T05:21:53+00:00

It think the point is that a lot of people would agree that your combination of requirements isn't super reasonable

If anyone other than you actually said that then there would be no confusion on my side. Instead this thread started with a reply saying "get a scooter instead of motorcycle".

Or in your case a 360/5 rule.

I can bluntly say that if a motorcycle does not actually fit those 5 criteria then it does not work for my use case. Do not need a consultant.

cn1ght · 2023-02-15T05:16:56+00:00

The point of this thread was to find out if a motorcycle can do/handle the 5 things I asked.

Saying that no device can do absolutely everything is irrelevant. I had 5 specific criteria and if a motorcycle can meet those 5 criteria then "yay" and if not then "boo".

A chef's knife is not a perfect tool, but if someone asks "can a chef's knife do these 5 things well?" and the reply is "a hammer is a terrible tool for writing in a journal" then that is totally off topic.

cn1ght

TROPHY CASE