The ups and downs of virtual reality

The history of virtual reality is one of constant ups and downs, seasoned with abundant hype and promises that everything is about to blossom. The last wave of hype took place in 2016 - 2017, companies like Facebook, Sony, HTC and Valve rushed into this area, the specialized press excitedly wrote about hot VR startups, Google released a cardboard VR helmet for Cardboard smartphones, and Sony sold half a million PS VR headsets.

Google Cardboard virtual reality glasses

7 years have passed since then, and virtual reality remains a niche product due to the lack of quality content, the high cost of high-quality VR kits and numerous minor problems that prevent you from enjoying the process.

However, the industry continues to develop. Modern VR devices such as Oculus Quest 3, Valve Index and HTC Vive Pro 2 have become more powerful, convenient and affordable, many sets have increased resolution, and motion tracking systems now work more accurately. The most important thing is that giants like Meta (note: former Facebook), Google and Sony continue to invest in the industry, so we sincerely hope that it will continue, albeit slowly but surely, to develop.

In the meantime, let's look at the features of modern VR systems - how they work and what they can do, what games and content are available on these platforms, and what kind of PC is needed to run all this stuff.

Popular virtual reality glasses

System requirements for virtual reality

You may be surprised, but modern VR systems do not necessarily need top-end components such as an Intel Core i9 or NVIDIA RTX 3080.

Below you can find the recommended requirements for several popular VR systems:

HTC Vive Pro 2

  • Processor: Intel Core i5-4590 or AMD Ryzen 5 1500 or higher
  • Graphics: GeForce RTX 2060 or AMD Radeon RX 5700 or higher
  • Memory: 8 GB RAM or more

Valve Index

  • Processor: Intel Core i5-4590 or AMD Ryzen 5 1500 or higher
  • Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 or AMD RX Vega 56 or better
  • Memory: 8 GB RAM or more

However, as reviews and personal tests show, it is better to focus on a system at least one level higher with a more modern processor of the Ryzen 5/Core i5 level, a video card of the caliber Radeon RX 5700XT/RTX 4060 and 16 GB of RAM. Otherwise, in demanding games a la Half-Life Alyx, brakes and stutters may begin, which create the impression that you are driving in the back of a pickup truck along a broken mountain road.

Popular laptops with VR support

Where and how are virtual reality systems used now?

Despite the fact that games remain one of the most popular and in-demand types of content for virtual reality, the scope of its application is much wider.

Education

Virtual reality turns the learning process into an exciting adventure. Students can go on virtual field trips and simulators while learning about anatomy, history, geography and more. Agree, a virtual walk through ancient Rome looks much more interesting than a lecture on how roads were built in Rome at that time.

Medicine

In medicine, virtual reality is used to train doctors, simulate surgeries and treat patients, allowing medical students and experienced doctors to hone skills without risking real patients.

For example, the world's first workstation simulator for surgeons, called Green Telepresence, was released back in 1991, providing the opportunity for a surgeon to calmly practice with a scalpel and clamps.

VR is also used in psychotherapy to help treat phobias, addictions and PTSD. Patients can safely face their fears in a controlled virtual environment to gradually overcome the phobia and minimize feelings of pain and fear.

Architecture and design

Architects and designers have found a real assistant in virtual reality. Creating and demonstrating projects in virtual space facilitates the design and approval process with clients. You can walk through the future building as if it were your own home, and make changes at the design stage. And potential buyers can not just look at renderings of their future home, but literally walk around it and feel the atmosphere.

Manufacturing and Engineering

In manufacturing and engineering, VR is used to create prototypes, simulate processes, and train employees. Engineers can test and optimize designs in a virtual environment before they are physically implemented. This reduces costs and time for developing new products.

Entertainment and Media

In addition to gaming, virtual reality is used in the creation of interactive films, virtual tours and other forms of digital entertainment. Viewers can immerse themselves in the film's plot, becoming active participants, or take virtual tours of museums and historical sites. VR is also being used in music and theater productions, offering a new level of audience interaction.

What should we play?

In recent years, many high-quality VR games have been released that attract the attention of gamers. Games such as Half-Life: Alyx, Beat Saber, and The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners demonstrate the potential of VR and are helping to increase interest in the technology among gamers.

Half-Life: Alyx

One of the most anticipated VR games, set in the Half-Life universe. This time the player controls not the silent Gordon Freeman, but his partner Alix Vance, who continues the family contract to clear the local world from Alliance forces. The game turned out to be massive, beautiful and exciting, Valve really gave it their all, it’s not without reason that many reviewers jokingly began to call it Half-Life 3. Because we are unlikely to wait for the third part.

Beat Saber

A rhythm game in which the player needs to use lightsabers to chop light cubes flying at him, all while listening to rhythmic music. Beat Saber is surprisingly fun to play, and the intense gameplay can easily replace your morning jogs or bike rides. The game is addictive with its simple but addictive mechanics, and the excellent soundtrack sets the right mood.

Superhot VR

A sensational VR shooter with unusual mechanics, where time moves only when the player moves. Such unusual mechanics turn each shootout into an unusual puzzle, and the simple gameplay is addictive from the first minutes.

The Walking Dead: Saints and Sinners

A game about survival in the world of zombies, based on the famous comic book and TV series. The player explores the devastated streets of New Orleans, while simultaneously shooting hordes of zombies and interacting with other survivors. The game doesn’t have the most impressive graphics, but the immersion effect is implemented perfectly: when you’re being squeezed in a corner by a crowd of hungry dead people, you want to kick in as soon as possible; there’s simply no time to explore the surroundings.

Boneworks

An action game with an emphasis on physics and realism. In it, the player will have to use the environment and objects to solve puzzles and battles. Realistic interactions with objects and cool combat scenes make the game unforgettable. In Boneworks, it's important to plan ahead to make the most of your available resources.

Blade and Sorcery

Medieval action sandbox with an emphasis on close combat with swords, bows and magic. The key feature of the game is a realistic combat system that allows you to parry blows in several ways, chop off enemies’ limbs, pierce them through, etc. In addition to combat, the game uses platforming elements: in some places the player will have to jump over a cliff on a rope or climb a wall, clinging to ledges. There is also a mod that replaces regular swords with laser swords from Star Wars.

Star Wars: Squadrons

A game based on the Star Wars universe that was controversially received by critics, in which the player will have to become the pilot of a combat starship. Moreover, they will let you play as both the rebels and the imperials. In terms of gameplay, this is not a full-fledged flight simulator, but rather an ideological successor to the classic Star Wars: X-Wing, flavored with fairly simple cut scenes that help reveal the plot of the game.

Phasmophobia

A cooperative horror game about hunting ghosts. Together with friends, the player explores various locations, collects evidence and tries to determine what kind of ghost they are dealing with. The atmosphere of the game is truly frightening, teamwork requires good coordination, and truly scary moments add adrenaline.

Elite Dangerous

A space simulator with a huge universe. The player can explore space, trade, fight and complete missions. Ship controls, vast galaxies and varied features make the game interesting for space lovers. Here you can feel like a real captain of a spaceship.

Microsoft Flight Simulator

The legendary flight simulator has recently been working in VR. The player can try to taxi almost any commercial aircraft and admire the beauty of Montreal at night. Flight Simulator has always been a very beautiful game and the VR version is no exception. Therefore, to play at high or ultra settings, you will need a fairly powerful PC with a GeForce RTX 4070 SUPER- level video card and a Ryzen 5600X -caliber processor.

The best VR systems for PC: how do they work and how are they different?

HTC Vive Pro 2

This is HTC's top-end VR system, which includes glasses, controllers and base stations for tracking movements. The Vive Pro 2 is renowned for its high resolution (4896x2448 pixels total, 2448x2448 per eye), high refresh rate (120Hz), built-in headphone amplifier and VIVE Wireless Adapter.

HTC released VIVE Pro 2 in two configuration options: just a headset, or a complete set with a headset, controllers and Base Station 2.0 trackers. Conveniently, Vive Pro 2 is compatible with SteamVR Base Stations, VIVE Controllers, and other previously released VIVE accessories.

Sony PlayStation VR2 (2023)

VR system for PlayStation 5, which includes controllers and glasses with built-in tracking, simplifying the installation process.

Main features:

  • 4K HDR display;
  • tactile feedback;
  • adaptive triggers on controllers.

Built-in cameras provide motion tracking without the need for additional base stations. Connection is via USB C, making installation and setup easy. PlayStation VR2 also features Tempest 3D AudioTech for a more immersive gaming experience.

In general, the perfect option is to try virtual reality without any problems from a PC.

Oculus Quest 3

A standalone VR system produced by Facebook/Meta that does not require connection to a PC or external sensors. It includes a headset and updated Touch controllers that provide more precise motion tracking with improved ergonomics and built-in sensors.

Quest 3 has a high resolution (2064x2208 pixels per eye) and a refresh rate of up to 90 Hz. Built-in cameras provide environmental and controller tracking, while Passthrough+ technology allows users to see the world around them without removing the headset.

The VR glasses also support connection to a PC via Oculus Link to access more demanding VR games and applications.

Valve Index Headset

This is a high-quality, but rather expensive VR system from Valve, which includes a headset, controllers and base stations for tracking movements.

The headset has a high resolution (1440x1600 pixels per eye) and a refresh rate of 120 to 144 Hz, which ensures smooth images and minimal lag. The viewing angle is 130 degrees, creating a wider field of view.

Index controllers are equipped with advanced sensors to track all fingers, allowing you to more accurately convey hand movements in virtual space. Base stations provide reliable room tracking up to 10x10 meters. Valve Index supports SteamVR accessories and components, offering a wide range of compatible devices and applications.

Afterword

If you really love video games and want to try something radically new, virtual reality can be a great addition to your PC or gaming console.

VR offers unique experiences that cannot be achieved on regular consoles or PCs. However, it is important to remember the possible disadvantages:

  • VR can cause motion sickness;
  • interesting games appear much less frequently than on PCs and consoles;
  • VR kits are quite expensive
  • base stations need free space to track movements.

If you're not sure, you can try more affordable options, or find an opportunity to test out a VR kit with friends or go to a VR room at your local mall to better understand if it's right for you.