Play Current and Future Console Titles in VR with MVR Ascend

This year has seen the consumer market inundated with various virtual reality (VR) devices with which to immerse the public in virtual worlds. From the cheaper entry level options of Google Cardboard or Gear VR to the high-end HTC Vive or PlayStation VR for example, there is just about an option and price level for everyone. Today though MVR Global has launched a Kickstarter crowd-funding campaign for another variant, the MVR Ascend.

MVR Ascend is a mobile head-mounted display (HMD) with several features that could make it unique to the VR market. It uses smartphones just like Gear VR or Merge VR, but the headset system can stream videogames from consoles such as PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, enabling gamers to play their favourite AAA titles in VR. There are systems such as vorpX that do this for PC so MVR Ascend has a few other tricks up its sleeve.

MVR Ascend

The MVR Ascend features a custom built sensor that’s positioned on the straps at the back of a players head. This is then cabled to a controller that’s designed to look like the PlayStation 4 or Xbox One controller. It’s this sensor that converts head movements into the usual stick directions for looking around, but this can be disabled with the controllers trigger for traditional aiming down sights if players prefer.

Other features on the device include built-in headphones, a flip-up function so that users don’t have to entirely take the headset off, and interchangeable 2D and 3D lens adaptors depending on user preference.

MVR Global’s looking to raise £150,000 GBP by 17th November 2016, and the campaign currently sits at £3,562 after only a few hours. Backing tiers start from £20 but to secure a headset customers will need to spend £79 or more. There are loads of different tiers available with some super early bird tiers offering the biggest discounts. For example the MVR P1 package includes the H1 HMD and P1 controller for streaming PlayStation 4 and PC titles, at a super early bird rate of £129. Once this has sold out there’s a further early bird price of £159, then the standard price of £179.

Head to MVR Ascend’s Kickstarter page for further info, and VRFocus will report back with any more updates.