The best casual social games for groups this holiday season
If you're looking for good casual games to play at your next gathering, look no further. We've found some of the best around.
Top 10 VR headsets to spice up your Thanksgiving
In a Thanksgiving mode this week? These ten headsets will help bring you closer to your family — or help take you away.
And they all make great Christmas gifts.
1. Oculus Quest 2
Use case: Untethered high-end VR experiences.
The Oculus Quest 2 standalone virtual reality headset is the best in all categories given its room-scale VR capability, a large library of games, fast performance, and good resolution, especially for its price point. This does not mean the individual features are their best when compared with Valve Index and other top-tier headsets, but it’s the best overall value.
Although you do not need to connect it to anything to experience virtual reality, other than WiFi, it can also be connected to the PC to play computer-based VR games such as those you can install from SteamVR.
One potential downside? You will need a Facebook account to connect to the headset.
- Platforms: Can play Oculus games loaded wirelessly through the built-in app store, and can also be tethered to PCs.
- Tracking: Inside-out tracking and hand tracking.
- Field of view: 100 degrees.
- LCD Display resolution: 3664 x 1920 pixels.
- Storage: 64 GB or 256 GB.
- Battery life: 2 to 3 hours.
- Controllers: Two wireless hand-held controllers.
- Connections: USB Type-C, 3.5 millimeters headphone.
- Price: $300. Buy on Amazon or directly from Oculus.
2. Valve Index
Use case: Half-Life: Alyx and other games that require finger tracking. The wireless Valve Index headset packs in the best features of the high-end VR headsets but they come at a price.
Like the Oculus Quest 2, it can either be used untethered, or can be connected to a PC and play SteamVR games.
- Platforms: SteamVR.
- Tracking: External stations enable full-space tracking, plus per-finger tracking on the wireless controllers.
- Field of view: 130 degrees.
- Display AMOLED resolution: 2880 x 1600 pixels.
- Storage: 64 GB or 256 GB.
- Battery life: 3 to 4 hours.
- Controllers: Two wireless handheld controllers.
- Connections: DisplayPort, USB 3.0, USB 2.0.
- Price: $1, 900 for full kit that includes two base stations and the two controllers from Amazon or $1,000 directly from Valve.
3. HTC Vive Pro 2
Best use cases: VR titles with high resolution textures and models.
The PC-tethered Vive Pro 2 is the best in terms of resolution with a 5K display but also comes at a prohibitive cost like the Vive Index. The high resolution also solves the screen door effect, besides delivering better clarity and sharpness than the Quest 2 and Valve Index.
Although you would need high-end GPUs with Nvidia GeForce RTX 20-series or Radeon RX 5000-series GPU as recommended GPUs, you can run it on GeForce RTX 3080 and AMD Ryzen 9 5900X which costs less. H
- Platforms: SteamVR PC, Viveport PC on Windows with Intel Core i5-4590 or AMD FX 8350 or better, and at least Nvidia GeForce GTX1060 or AMD Radeon RX480
- Tracking: Two external base stations for full-space tracking, inside-out tracking for hand tracking including per-finger tracking on the controllers.
- Field of view: 120 degrees
- Display AMOLED resolution: 4896 x 2448 pixels.
- Storage: Not applicable, since it tethered to the PC
- Battery life: 5 hours.
- Controllers: HTC Vive and Vive Pro wireless controller. Also supports Valve Knuckles controllers.
- Connections: DisplayPort, USB 3.0, USB 2.0.
- Price: $1, 400 for full kit on Amazon or $900 directly from HTC.
4. Playstation VR
Best use cases: Playstation console gamers.
PlayStation’s latest PSVR headset is the best for PS4, PS4 Pro, and PS5 console gamers and it comes packed with a good gaming library and easy set-up. You just plug and play. It is also one of the best VR devices with which to play high-end VR because you won’t need to buy an expensive PC if you already have a Playstation. The supported VR titles are created by big-name game development companies.
- Platforms: PS4, PS4 Pro, and PS5.
- Tracking: Playstation camera for position tracking and motion tracking.
- Field of view: 100 degrees
- Display OLED resolution: 1920 x 1080 pixels.
- Storage: Not applicable, since it’s tethered to the Playstation.
- Battery life: 5 hours.
- Controllers: Move controllers.
- Connections: USB-to-micro-USB cord, HDMI.
- Price: $500 from Amazon for just the headset, plus $100 for the controllers and $60 for the camera. There is also a $350 Iron Man bundle available directly from Playstation that includes the camera and controllers, but it is currently out of stock.
5. HTC Vive Cosmos Elite
Use case: Mid-intensity VR games and experiences at a lower cost than Vive Pro 2 or higher end devices.
The PC-tethered entry-level Vive Cosmos comes with a less-than-perfect six-camera tracking which can be frustrating when playing some titles, but it offers decent VR experience with mid-intensity games.
- Platforms: SteamVR; Windows 10 PC with Intel Core i5-4590 or AMD FX 8350 equivalent or better, with GTX 970 4GB graphics.
- Tracking: True room-scale 360-degree tracking with base stations. Supports SteamVR Tracking.
- Display LCD resolution: 2880 x 1700 pixels.
- Storage: Not applicable, since it is tethered to a PC.
- Battery life: 4 to 8 hours.
- Controllers: Vive Cosmos wireless handheld controllers.
- Connections: DisplayPort and a USB 3.0.
- Price: $650 on Amazon. or directly from HTC, including controllers and two base stations.
6. HoloLens 2
Use case: Enterprise-grade mixed reality experiences.
Microsoft’s HoloLens 2 is a an augmented reality headset, with cameras built right into the headset. Its selection of consumer apps and games is meager, however.
- Platforms: Windows Holographic, Windows 10 Pro PC 4 core CPUs, with at least 8GB RAM, and
- Tracking: Infrared cameras for 3D eyeball position tracking, multiple cameras for motion tracking and head tracking.
- Field of view: 65 degrees
- Display resolution: 2K 3:2 light engines. Holographic density is 2.5 K radiants.
- Storage: Not applicable, since it is tethered to a PC.
- Battery life: 2 to 3 hours.
- Controllers: Windows Mixed Reality controllers.
- Connections: Display Port 1.3, USB 3.0 Type-C.
- Price: $3,500 from Microsoft.
7. HP Reverb G2
Use case: Low-cost 4K display VR experiences.
A huge upgrade from the first-gen VR headsets with huge textures and visuals, the Reverb G2 features a 4K display though not as good as one on the Vive Pro 2.
- Platforms: Windows with Intel Core i5, i7, Intel Xeon E3-1240 v5 or higher and minimum 8 GB RAM. SteamVR, and Windows Mixed Reality.
- Tracking: inside-out tracking without base stations unlike SteamVR-powered headsets. Tracking based on Based on Windows Mixed Reality tracking system with two cameras.
- Field of view: 114 degrees
- Display resolution: 2160 x 2160 pixels.
- Storage: Not applicable, since it is tethered to a PC.
- Battery life: 10 to 15 hours.
- Controllers: HP Reverb G2 Controller.
- Connections: Display Port and USB 3.0 cable.
- Price: $630 from Amazon or $550 direct from HP, including two motion controllers.
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Oculus Quest available again on Amazon
The Oculus Quest headset has been sold out almost everywhere since the start of the epidemic, but it’s available now from the company itself., for $400 for the 64GB version and $500 for the 128GB version.
Once it runs out, however, there are still second-hand versions available on Amazon starting at $540 (affiliate link).
The Oculus Quest has three main advantages over other virtual reality headsets.
First, it’s all-in-one. You put it on and it works. You don’t need to install any software on your computer. And there are no cables for you to trip over.
Second, it’s six degrees of motion. That means that it knows that you’re moving not only when you turn your head — all VR headsets do that, even the ones made out of cardboard that you drop your phone into — but when you move your head sideways or front to back or up and down. That means that the VR feels a lot more realistic. In my experience, six degrees of motion are the difference between getting motion-sickness after five minutes, and not getting motion sickness at all. And it does the six-degrees thing without using external cameras — the sensors are on the headset itself.
Third, it comes with nice hand-held controllers that know where your hands are, adding another degree of immersion for games and anything else you might want to do in VR.
I’ve recently tested out a very similar product from the Vive, called the Vive Focus, and love the technology. But the Oculus has a lot more games, so I feel that it’s a better value overall for gamers and social VR users.
Great Cyber Monday deals on VR at Amazon
Hypergrid Business may collect a small share of sales from the links on this page, which helps us keep the site going, and lets us offer free ads for OpenSim-related businesses. Prices are accurate as of the time of publication.
Cyber Monday is here, and that means great deals on some of our favorite VR gadgets at Amazon.
Deal prices are current and will be updated as they change.
Oculus Rift S PC-Powered Gaming Headset is $349.99 (usually $399.99)
Oculus Go is $119.99 (usually $199.99)
PlayStation VR – Mega Blood + Truth Everybody’s Golf Bundle is $249.99 (usually $349.99)
PowerA Storage Case for PlayStation VR is $9.99 (usually $19.99)
Topvision Drone is $41.64 (usually $59.99)
Tello Quadcopter Drone is $79.99 (usually $99.99)
HTC Vive Holiday Gift Guide: Accessories, Games, And More For HTC Headsets
The HTC Vive is one of the most popular and enduring lines of PC VR headsets. Whether you’re talking about the original HTC Vive or the newer Vive Cosmos, there are a bunch of different games and accessories you can use with the Vive system. We’ve put together this list for recommendations on accessories, games, and more for HTC’s line of PC VR headsets.
[When you purchase items through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission from those sales.]
Headsets
There are a few different HTC Vive headsets.
The original HTC Vive and the HTC Vive Pro both use outside-in tracking systems, which require external sensors mounted in your play area to track your headset and controllers. The newer HTC Vive Cosmos uses an inside-out tracking system with cameras on the headset, which doesn’t require mounting any external tracking system.
The original HTC Vive headset is now discontinued. However, HTC continues to sell used version of the original Vive headset for $399.
Currently, the HTC Pro Starter Kit is on sale for $799 down from $1098 on HTC’s site. This includes the headset, two Vive Wand controllers and two external tracking sensors for mounting. Vive Pro has improved resolution and comfort over the original Vive.
The HTC Vive Cosmos (see our review) is the newest headset in the HTC line (review here), and is available to purchase for $600 on the HTC website.
HTC Vive PC VR System Specs
We’ve got a dedicated guide to help you figure out if your PC is VR ready, but for a quick glance at the raw numbers of what you should look for on your rig take a look at the FAQ on HTC’s site. You can also download and run the Vive Quick Compatability check from there as well.
Games And Apps To Buy And Install
When you first get your HTC Vive system set up, there’s a lot of options on where to start with content.
If you’re looking for something free, there are options such as Rec Room and VRChat, which are sort of social networks full of worlds to explore, games to play, and people to meet with your own customized avatar. Then over on Steam there are tons of free VR experiences and games worth trying, such as Google Earth VR, The Lab, Oculus Dreamdeck, Dear Angelica, Henry, Waltz of the Wizard, Accounting, Bigscreen, AltspaceVR, Mission: ISS, and more.
For a curated list of recommended Vive games that are paid, check our best list that we try to keep updated. As of the time of this writing, it’s missing some more recent games like A Fisherman’s Tale, Groundhog Day: Like Father Like Son, and Pistol Whip though — which you should totally play.
Accessories
HTC Vive Wireless Tracking Adapter
The Vive Wireless Tracking Adapter allows you to free yourself from the tether of the cord connected to your PC, and use your Vive headset wireless.
It is available for the original HTC Vive, the Vive Pro and the Vive Cosmos, however the Cosmos will also require an additional Cosmos Comparability Kit that will be added to the cart during checkout. You can read our review of the Vive Wireless Adapter here, reviewed using the Vive Pro specifically.
The Vive Wireless Adapter is available for the HTC Vive for $248, the HTC Vive Pro for $298, and for the Vive Cosmos for $298. If you already own a Vive Wireless Adapter and want to make it compatible with a Vive Cosmos, you can also buy the Cosmos Compatibility Pack for $49 separately.
Vive Tracker
The Vive Tracker is one of HTC’s more innovative ideas for its VR system. It’s a puck-shaped peripheral you can attach to other objects in compatible apps to bring them into VR. You might, for example, stick it to a toy gun to feel like you’re shooting a real one in VR. Take note, however, that the tracker only works with the Vive and Vive Pro; the Vive Cosmos’ tracking system will not register it. Also bear in mind that only select apps will support the tracker. Your best bet is to get them from HTC directly where you’ll find them for $99 apiece.
AFAITH Charger Stand
This AFAITH charger stand provides a neat and tidy solution to store your original HTC Vive or Vive Pro headset, while also charging your HTC Vive Wands. This looks like a nice option if you’re want to store your Vive or Vive Pro on display next to some other gaming consoles, or even other VR headsets. However, it’s important to note that this stand is not comparable with the newer Vive Cosmos.
The AFATIH Charger Stand is available for $49.
Ceiling Cables
Barring the adapter above, obviously one of the biggest downsides to using a PC VR headset is that, typically, it means having a thick, restrictive wire coming off the side of your face that makes it difficult to move freely and is often a tripping hazard. If you don’t want to shill out for the Vive Wireless Adapter, you could also install a ceiling pulley system so that your cable loops up through the ceiling mount and then goes back down to your PC to get it out of the way. We haven’t used these in our own home setups, but this has great reviews and is widely recommended.
The VeeR VR Cable Management Ceiling Pulley System is available for $17 right now (usually ~$30.)
VR Cover Accessories
VR Cover is a company that’s been around for a while and is known for making accessories designed to make headsets feel more comfortable against the face as well as improve hygiene. We have tested their Quest covers and original Rift covers in the past, but have not tried their Vive and Vive Pro covers. They also don’t offer any covers for the Cosmos yet, but the covers are worth checking out for Vive or Vive pro owners.
Microfiber Cleaning Cloths
If you’re using your headsets a lot, the lenses are going to get foggy and dirty and you’ll want some microfiber cloths to quickly clean the lenses between games and sessions.
You can buy a set of 5 microfiber cleaning cloths for $7.49.
If you have accessories you’ve found improve your experience with the HTC Vive headsets please share in the comments.
The post HTC Vive Holiday Gift Guide: Accessories, Games, And More For HTC Headsets appeared first on UploadVR.
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