Oculus Quest, which can be played with bare hands, is a stand-alone VR that does not require a smartphone or a PC.
Visit the ongoing VR revolution divided into cheap VR that attaches to a smartphone (cardboard VR, Google Daydream, Samsung Gear VR, etc.) and expensive VR that connects to a PC (Oculus Rift, HTC Vive Pro Eye, etc.) It's the third wave.
Since it is an inside-out method that tracks movement with four cameras, no indoor sensors are required. All you need is the main unit, controllers in both hands, and a charging cable. With this, you can enjoy a VR world of 6DoF (6 degrees of freedom: tracking head + body movements) anywhere.
It's been over a year since the product was released, but with monthly firmware updates, the functions and game titles are finally complete. )” can also be enjoyed.
Since I had a lot of time for 3 months due to the lockdown of the new corona, I will report my impressions of using it every day!
Oculus Quest
What is this? : No cables or PC required. Oculus' omnidirectional VR headset that can play VR games by itself
Price: 64GB model: $400 (about 42,000 yen) / 128GB model: $500 (about 53,000 yen)
What I like: Easy, no settings required, high-performance 6DOF tracks head and hand movements, full game content, connect to PC with Oculus Link cable to play high-end PC VR games!
What I don't like: It's a bit heavy and hurts my neck, poor visibility, inferior speakers to the competition
It weighs 567g, including the 3648mAh lithium-ion battery. It can be played for 2-3 hours on a full charge (there is also a way to extend it. More on that later). External speakers are okay, but you can use earphones (jacks on the left and right) for a much more immersive experience.
The USB-C port is on the left side and can be used for charging and data transfer with a PC. There is a power button and a volume adjustment button, and the width of the lens can be adjusted with the slider below. There is also a space for glasses properly.
There are 3 straps that can be fixed, so you can rest assured even during intense games. It's not terribly heavy, but the weight inevitably leans against your forehead, and after prolonged use it ends up on the back of your neck.
The processor is a slightly older high-end Qualcomm Snapdragon 835. It's not the best explosive speed performance, but you can enjoy gorgeous games comfortably. Memory is 4GB, storage is 64GB and 128GB. It has a 1440 x 1600p OLED display and a 72Hz refresh rate (pretty good for VR), but it's clearly not the top model.
The controller (called Oculus Touch) weighs 128g including batteries. It's light. Comes with a strap.
There is a trigger button (index finger), a grip button (middle finger), a thumbstick (thumb), and depending on the controller, there are two A (X-axis) and B (Y-axis) buttons, Home/ It consists of a Menu button. Ergonomic design that fits naturally to your body. Motion tracking is fast and accurate, so you don't feel lag with reality.
The inside-out method is said to be bad at tracking overhead and behind, but I rarely lost track. Requires 1 AA battery each (Rechargeable batteries are recommended).
The setting is very easy, just put it on, turn it on and follow the instructions. The first thing to set is the guardian (play area). The room captured by the built-in camera is displayed in black and white, and the controller is used to draw borders. Once set up, a bright fence will warn you whenever you're about to stray from the line. When you're done, log in to your Oculus account and start using it.
Games can be downloaded directly to the headset via Wi-Fi (also available as a smartphone app, Oculus web store). The first thing that got me hooked was the Superhot VR, and I was amazed at how different it would be without the cable. The same goes for the online multiplayer game Echo VR. This is a frisbee soccer game that allows users around the world to split into pairs through automatic processing and play while jeering and discussing strategies. In addition to grabbing and throwing at the goal, there are actions such as ramming, blocking, and punching, so it is definitely more convenient without a cord. It takes some getting used to, but once you get the hang of it, you can't stop playing (Wi-Fi requires a high-speed environment with good response).
In addition, the puzzle game "A Fisherman's Tale" where you can escape by playing with real miniatures, and "Moss" where you become a spirit of the forest and go on a big adventure with the mouse Quill are games that are unique to VR and can be played on TV and PC screens. A completely different interaction is attractive.
Aside from games, I also liked Everest VR, which was released in April. This is a 3D documentary that traces the footsteps of a legendary climber who attacks the world's highest peak with a 360-degree panorama and global sound captured with 17 high-end cameras. I've never seen such a seamless VR documentary, and I really felt like I was on top of the world.
"Traveling While Black" (Emmy Award-nominated work), which travels through American history from a black perspective, and "The Key," which has a shocking twist at the end, are full-body stories of angry waves that cannot be experienced just by watching the screen. can be felt in
It was dark with COVID-19, and even darker with the news of police brutality, and I didn't have the energy to wake up in the morning and exercise, but I did have some motivation to escape from reality. , Thanks to VR, I didn't run out of exercise. Playing music games such as Beat Saber, Audio Trip, Dance Central, and the shooting music game Pistol Whip will give you all your adrenaline and heart rate zone 150.
Because it's super intense, boxing throws up. I remembered the feeling of hitting a punching bag for the first time in a while. The more realistic one is "Thrill of the Fight," where opponents appear to be getting tougher and tougher. If you shake it with a boom, it will hit in the same trajectory, so there is no sense of realism. A good comparison is "Creed". There's also Box VR, which punches to the rhythm.
But the calorie burner is the Quest-exclusive app Supernatural, which can get your heart rate up to 180 just by furiously hitting a flying target. It's similar to the "Beat Saber," except you can squat and lunge. It flies from all directions, so you can feel the goodness of Quest without cables getting in the way. It's a monthly subscription app that costs $20 a month (about 2100 yen), but you can exercise under the guidance of real trainers in an environment that looks like real photos, and the sound sources are danceable, from Lizzo to club music.
An hour really flew by when I was sweating with my friends. Before I knew it, I was drenched in sweat and cleared 700KCal. You can't do that with a normal video game.
I enjoy finding friends, and I've become friends with an emergency doctor who works in one of the worst-affected areas in the United States. People who have Quests can get together and relieve stress by playing "Half+Half" (a healing game with a Japanese "kawaii" motif), "Racket: Nx" (racquetball), or "Echo Arena" (mentioned above). I was. Participate in Reggie Watts live at AltspaceVR (VR arena).
Of course, there are also offensive chats and plays. There are black discrimination, gay discrimination, and there are things that can't be helped with the avatar's mouth during conversation, and I can tell from the tone of voice that it's mostly teenage boys, but when I saw a pervert doing a very small child, I was geeky. rice field. I reported them all, but I don't think that chat will go on anymore.
While Quest does not require a cable, the number of games that can be downloaded is limited. That's where the Oculus Link feature came out recently. Now, if you use a cable to connect to your PC, your Quest will turn into a Rift S! You can also play all the high-end PCVR games on the Quest store.
There are many titles with a high GPU load for PCVR games, so a powerful gaming PC is essential. I bought mine in the latter half of 2018, a fairly high-end 15-inch HP Specter 360 (16GB), and the GPU is an Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050, but even so, games with complex processing were smooth. It's a model that is not in the list of Link compatible GPUs announced by Oculus, so it's natural.
The possibilities are endless with access to PC VR games. For example, the blockbusters "Asgard's Wrath" and "Stormland" have different colors and textures, and take a lot of time to complete (it's not finished yet).
The games downloaded to the Quest itself are usually 2-5GB, but the PC version of Asgard's Wrath is a whopping 133GB! Both PC VR and Quest compatible games have beautiful graphics. Of course, if you don't put them side by side like "Robo Recall", you won't be able to tell the difference. Check out a video comparing the Quest and Rift S (PC VR) versions of the new title Covert Ops.
Well, there are differences, but you won't notice until you play through this comparison, and the Quest doesn't have cables to get in the way, so it's much more immersive than just watching a video.
The hot topic on Link is "Half-Life: Alyx," which is often called the strongest VR game ever. It's a Valve exclusive title, but if you connect it with Oculus Link, you can play with Steam's PC VR app, so I took the plunge and bought it for $60 (about 6,400 yen). I'm really glad I bought it. Exquisite expression, thoughtful development. It's a game made for VR, and everything is seamless. A sign creeping up from behind, the fear of the Xen creature headcrab suddenly attacking. There is also a scene where you turn around with a flashlight, and even if you do it for 8 hours, it doesn't feel like a one-size-fits-all, and it's fun to keep going even if your laptop is at its limit. I am convinced that it is a topical work.
This is also recently supported, allowing you to interact with supported games, apps and Quest Homeworlds with your bare hands. The time to succeed is in the future! However, it doesn't rely on the invisible light emitted by the controller at all, and the Quest's built-in camera tracks your hand movements, so you have to do it in a fairly bright place. For example, "Elixir" (which gives you various powers when you mix a magic potion and soak your hands in it) was OK with bare hands, but "Waltz of the Wizard" and "The Curious Tale of the Missing Pets" still have bugs. I was annoyed by many. Quest is full of cameras, so I expect improvements. The types of compatible games will continue to expand. It was a much cooler experience than I imagined, being able to pick things up in the VR world with each finger movement reflected.
Oculus has set detailed specifications and only sells apps that pass the test on the Quest Store. It is also true. That's why Sidequest was born, a platform that allows you to sideload unlicensed apps onto your Quest. To use it, you need to set up a developer account, install special software and drivers, but it takes less than an hour. I did.
Sidequest is paid, some donated, but mostly free content. It's often used in beta tests and strange experiments before the official release of the Quest store, but both have quite a few bargains, such as the FPS game "Pavlov Shack" and the Discovery Channel show "Survivorman". increase.
Personally, I'm aiming for an unreleased title. "Tea For God" has a different maze based on a real-life play area, and "Cactus Cowboy Portal" is a clone of Portal that makes you vomit just thinking about doing it in VR. "Flowborne" is to play with abdominal breathing by putting one controller on your stomach. Best meditation app I've tried.
Sidequest is also used as the first step in creating mods for apps purchased legally from the Quest Store. For example, "Beat Saber" is a good idea to play with a lightsaber, but the official version is full of sound sources that don't suit your taste. I have regained my desire.
By the way, the Quest Store is porn-free (policy of parent company Facebook). You can watch porn VR on Quest, though. If you want to take it to the next level, download the 3D VR porn to your PC, connect the Quest with a cable, transfer it from the PC to the Quest's storage, and watch it with a viewer like Skybox VR. ... someone said.
A selection of Quest peripherals.
Silicone cover
If you use it for a long time, it will absorb sweat and rub off, but it is easy to clean if you use it with a silicon cover. With a soft touch that is gentle on the skin, it also prevents light from entering from around the nose. $12 (about 1,280 yen).
External battery
Large capacity of 10,000mAh. Wearing the strap on the back of the head increases the play time from 2-3 hours to 6-8 hours. In addition, the weight is well balanced, making your neck as light as a lie, so you don't have to worry about it coming off even if you swing your head around. Two problems of Quest are solved at once. $60 (about 6,400 yen)
Cable for Oculus Link
If you connect it to a game PC with a cable, the world of gorgeous content will expand! The official cable is an ultra-lightweight type that connects USB-C terminals, is 4.57m long, and costs $80 (about 8,500 yen. Expensive...!). Anker's cable is $20 (about 2,100 yen), which is a quarter, but it worked without problems. The only drawback is that it's a little heavy and it's 1m shorter than the official one, so the range of movement is limited.
haptic feedback suit
No, it really does. That's the "Tacsuit" from Haptics. There are vests with 20 vibration motors in the front and 20 in the back, and you can buy them separately for the forehead, fist, and face.
This is what it looks like when you wear it. It's like the Spielberg movie "Ready Player One".
The game that can be used is limited, but the effect is great, and even in "Apex Construct", you can clearly see where you will be shot, so it is much more realistic and you can move accurately. Even if you get shot in the back, you can't tell just by looking at the light and sound, but with this, you'll know right away that there's an enemy behind you.
I was really looking forward to the boxing "Thrill of the Fight" because I can understand the block, and I can feel when I get punched in the stomach and how it feels when I get punched, but my forearms and fists get heavy and I punch. Hands down too. After 3 minutes x 3 rounds, I couldn't lift my arms and my shoulder muscle pain continued for 2 days.
The vest is $500, the face is $150, the forearm is $250 a pair, and the gloves are $250 a pair. same). It's pretty expensive, so it's for people who like something a little different.
Quest is awesome and I recommend it to my friends so they can all play remotely together.
VR's weakness is that many people can't play together in the same room. It is based on one room per person. If you cast POV to TV, you can show the world you are watching to people around you, and there are games where friends in the same room can participate or compete with each other on smartphones, but VR is still Since one person is the basic, there is also the aspect that a family of four with a game budget of 40,000 to 50,000 yen will give up the existing game console that can be played by 2 to 3 people and buy a Quest.
It's a good purchase for people who live alone (especially those who live alone). You can travel, exercise, and heal yourself. The lockdown was full of anxiety, so Quest helped me keep my balance.
Of course, there are tons of improvements to be made. As Gizmodo's Joanna Nelius writes, the next-gen Quest is rumored to be lighter and slimmer. It would be even better if the battery position was moved to the back of the head. The resolution isn't bad, and the "screen door effect" you see when you get your face up close is minimized, but I'd like a higher pixel density, higher refresh rate, higher storage, and the latest high-speed processor. I would like to change it to A wide effective field of view is more important than resolution. Now, even when I walk around, my vision is blocked from the top, bottom, left, and right, so it's hard to play, and I can tell right away that it's not real.
Should I buy the current model or wait for the next model? This bothers me. Recently, the leak battle is already heating up. The problem is that we don't know when it will be released. There are rumors that it will be announced on September 15th, but it is possible that it will be released in the future, and the details of the improvements are unknown. If you're tired of staying at home and want to try something new, you won't regret buying the current model. It works well enough and I really like it. Been using it almost every day for 3 months. Some days I've played for hours a day and I'm still not bored. There are endless apps, with new ones coming out every week.
The Quest has been in short supply for a long time due to soaring demand and production interruptions due to Corona, but it seems that it is in stock again, and if the price is acceptable, I will buy it immediately. Realizing that VR has finally come this far, I'm looking forward to the future.
Correction [2020/08/16] When the article first appeared, the Oculus Quest was described as "the first stand-alone VR", but the standalone (stand Alone)'s VR equipment is Oculus Go first. We will gladly correct it.
Correction [2020/09/2] Regarding "Everest VR", there was an error in the developer's description. We will gladly correct it.
Correction [2020/09/4] There was an error in the reference to "Everest VR" in the original article. We will gladly correct it.