At GDC 2019 today Pimax released two new software features aimed at making its headsets easier to run. Fixed Foveated Rendering (FFR) and Smart Smoothing. The features work for both the 5K+ and 8K headsets.
Fixed Foveated Rendering renders at a lower resolution everywhere except the center of the lens. This is the same technique used on the Oculus Go and Quest standalone headsets. Pimax claims this provides a 10-30% performance improvement. Right now it only works on NVIDIA RTX GPUs, but the company is working on bringing this to older cards too.
Smart Smoothing is similar to Facebook’s Asynchronous Spacewarp and Valve’s Motion Smoothing. When your GPU isn’t making framerate, Smart Smoothing forces the running game to render at half framerate and synthetically generates every other frame. When the GPU is no longer being strained, the app is returned to full framerate.
Unlike Facebook and Valve, Pimax is giving users the ability to change the headset’s refresh rate. As well as the default refresh rate of 90 Hz and 80 Hz for the 5K+ and 8K respectively, users can now change it to 72 Hz or 64 Hz.
These new features and options are all aimed at making the Pimax headsets easier to run on existing GPUs. Tom’s Hardware recently benchmarked the headset using the $700 RTX 2080. While they were able to run simplistic games like Space Pirate Trainer smoothly, games like Arizona Sunshine and Serious Sam VR required turning the field of view down to 120° and setting the resolution far below native.
Hopefully the combination of FFR, Smart Smoothing, and the option to use a lower refresh rate will improve the Pimax experience.
Pimax today announced their Brainwarp software will be coming out of beta soon with the official launch of Brainwarp version 1.0.
Like Oculus’ Asynchronous Spacewarp, Brainwarp was designed to reduce the massive hardware requirements needed to run the headset’s high resolution displays; it’s also touted for its ability to improve latency and maintain acceptable refresh rates.
The 1.0 release will include three main tools, all of which were seen in the previous Brainwarp beta first released in January. Pimax says the official release “will ensure a smooth and optimized VR experience.” Brainwarp 1.0 is said to release sometime this week, although the exact date isn’t certain at this point.
The tools include: Smart Smoothing, Fixed Foveated Rendering (FFR) and Refresh Rate Switching (RRS). The company says these can be enabled or disabled individually by the user as needed.
Here’s a quick roundup of each tool, and how they’re positioned to improve the user experience with Pimax’s headsets, including Pimax “8K”, “5K” Plus, and “5K” XR (ex-“5K” BE).
Smart Smoothing: compensates for low frame rates by halving the effective frame rate to 45 fps and filling with synthetic frames as necessary, much like Oculus’ ASW or Valve’s Motion Smoothing. Pimax says you can use GPUs such as the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 or GTX 1070 to play most VR games with any of its headsets thanks to Smart Smoothing.
Fixed Foveated Rendering (FFR): renders the center of the lenses at full resolution and progressively diminishes the resolution outward toward the user’s peripheral vision. Pimax claims performance gains of a typical VR game are between 10-30%. Compatibility with this feature is currently limited to NVIDIA RTX GPUs.
Refresh Rate Switching (RRS): can be used in conjunction with Smart Smoothing and FFR. With different mode options for the refresh rate (5K Plus: 90/72/64Hz, 8K: 80/72/64Hz), users have the ability to select the mode for their desired use with different games to achieve the best experience.
Pimax kündigt neue und robustere Business-Versionen seiner Pimax-VR-Brillen an. Die neuen Endgeräte sollen als RE-Varianten (Rugged Edition) der Modelle 5K, 5K+ und 8K deutlich widerstandsfähiger als die bisherigen Brillen sein und sich für den Einsatz in stark frequentierten Umgebungen, beispielsweise für VR-Trainings sowie in Arcade-Hallen eignen.
Pimax 8K RE – Widerstandsfähige Business-Versionen der VR-Brillennodelle Pimax 5K, 5K+ und 8K angekündigt
Pimax bringt neue, robuste Business-Versionen seiner VR-Brillen auf den Markt. Die neuen RE-Modelle sind angepasste Versionen der bisherigen Pimax-Modelle 5K, 5K+ und 8K. Während sich die neuen Varianten in den technischen Spezifikationen nicht von den Heimnutzerversionen der VR-Brillen unterscheiden, und somit keine Verbesserungen im Sichtfeld bieten, optimieren die Verantwortlichen hauptsächlich das Außenleben der Hardware.
Heimkonsumenten-Version der Pimax 8K | Image courtesy: Pimax
So sorgt ein neues widerstandsfähiges Gehäuse mit härterem Plastik für deutlich mehr Resistenz im Einsatz in stark frequentierten Umgebungen. Zudem bietet ein neuer Schaumstoffeinsatz sowie ein festes Kopfband und dickere Kabel für mehr Schutz und Stabilität. Zusätzlich sollen höhere Stoßfestigkeit, robustere Komponenten, metallische Knöpfe und eine Abdeckung für die Vorderseite der VR-Brille zusätzliche Abschirmung für die Hardware offenbaren.
Mit den neuen robusteren Features soll die Hardware für den Einsatz in Arcades sowie für VR-Tranings abgesichert werden, um die Lebensdauer der VR-Brillen langfristig zu erhöhen.
Wann die neuen RE-Modelle der Pimax-Brillen veröffentlicht werden, wurde noch nicht offiziell bekannt gegeben. Ein Verkaufsstart soll in den nächsten Monaten beginnen. Preislich sollen die neuen Business-Versionen im Bereich von ca. 500 Euro liegen.
Nebenbei startete die Produktion der lange versprochenen, hauseigenen Tracking-Stationen. Die Lighthouse 2.0 kompatiblen Stationen sollen in den nächsten Wochen an Backer ausgeliefert werden.
Today Pimax announced it’s introducing a new business-focused ruggedized line of its “8K” series virtual reality headsets, set to release sometime this year.
According to an MRTVvideo interview with Pimax’s head of US operations Kevin Henderson, Pimax says it will produce ruggedized (RE) versions, dubbed Pimax “8K” RE, “5K” Plus RE and “5K” OLED RE, the latter of which is patterned after the Pimax “5K” XR (ex-“5K” BE).
The company says the new line will offer numerous hardware ruggedization features intended for high-traffic venues such as location-based entertainment (LBE) facilities, and education/training institutions.
Henderson told MRTV that ruggedization features include water resistance, a new foam insert, rigid headstrap, and thicker cabling.
Pimax consumer version, Image courtesy Pimax
Henderson additionally told Road to VR that the new RE line will feature greater shock tolerances, more robust components, metal buttons, higher lifespan switches, and accessories including a cover that can go over the front of the headset for greater protection in high-traffic environments.
There’s no word at this time on exactly when the headsets will be available to businesses, or at what price, although Henderson tells MRTV it will be due out “in the coming months” and that they’ll be priced “around $500-ish more on the per-unit basis.”
The business-focused headsets are said to include the same wide field of view and modular ability as the respective consumer versions thanks to the two USB Type-C accessory ports. The ‘RE’ headsets feature the same fundamental specs as the consumer counterparts (seen below).
Pimax is also currently in the production phase of the long-awaited SteamVR 2.0 base stations. Henderson tells MRTV that it’s “very likely the Lighthouses will beat the controllers to market,” although he admits its unclear how the company will proceed, be it through a staggered release or a controller/basestation hardware bundle. Henderson expects to release more info in the next few weeks, and that the company plans to fulfill backers first, then open up to general consumers at a later date, although the bundling issue is still undecided at this time.
A Pimax-built basestation would represent the first opportunity for consumers to purchase a 2.0 SteamVR basestation, as HTC doesn’t actively sell them individually.
Specs (Consumer Version)
Pimax “5K” Plus – $700
Screen: CLPL(Customized low persistence liquid)
Resolution: dual 2,560 × 1,440
MTP: ＜15ms
Refresh Rate: 90 Hz,Brainwarp Support
FOV: 200° (diagonal)
Audio: 3.5mm audio jack, integrated microphone
Connection: USB 2.0/3.0, DP 1.4
Sensor: SteamVR tracking, G-sensor, gyroscope, hand motion（Option）
Better known for its immersive sports coverage, NextVR does, in fact, specialise in broadcasting a range of live events in 360-degrees. To help widen its content roster the company has announced a collaboration with Central Station Records (CSR) to provide electronic music fans up-close-and-personal access to some of the best artists around.
The partnership will see NextVR studios produce an exclusive show hosted by Emmy-nominated personality Alex Hudgens. With content captured and produced by NextVR in a 3D stereoscopic VR format, the show will be accompanied by other on-demand VR experiences featuring renowned Australian DJ Brooke Evers, musical group Killer Hertz and VIP access into Tokyo’s best nightclubs.
“Central Station Records has been on the cutting edge of dance music since the 1970’s, beginning as a small vinyl store in Australia importing disco records. From disco and house to hip hop and hardcore, Central Station has helped define what EDM music means and the lifestyle surrounding it,” said Danny Keens, VP of Content at NextVR in a statement. “Now Central Station teleports fans into the heart of global clubbing. From the famed Ministry of Sound club in London, to the dark underground music scene of Tokyo, to party hopping on the club scene in Los Angeles. This is VIP access for music fans.”
“These immersive experiences from the NextVR studio are a new way to experience music. With NextVR’s stunning technology, we’re giving fans VIP access to clubbing hotspots and big artists, to underground gems in far-flung locations” said Jamie Raeburn, Director at CSR. “Central Station has always led the music business by giving fans new experiences. This is next level – you’re literally next to the DJ, or front and center on the floor. It’s all about the music, and we love it.”
To watch the new music experiences head on over to the new Central Station Records channel within the NextVR app. The NextVR app is free to download for the following platforms: Oculus Go, Oculus Rift, PlayStation VR, HTC Vive Pro, HTC Vive Focus, HTC Vive, Windows Mixed Reality, Pimax, Samsung Gear VR, and Google Daydream. For the latest NextVR updates, keep reading VRFocus.
(Update: 10/29/19): For this update to our list of the best VR RPGs we’ve removed Fallout 4 VR and The Witching Tower in favor of adding Asgard’s Wrath and No Man’s Sky VR.
(Update: 8/9/19): For this update we’ve bumped off Chronos, VR Dungeon Knight, and Vengeful Rites in favor of adding Journey of the Gods, The Wizards: Enhanced Edition, and Shadow Legend.
(Originally published 2/8/19): For a lot of people, virtual reality is all about escapism. Being able to put on the headset and immediately be transported to a totally new world. Perhaps in your dreams that world is full of magic, wondrous creatures, and breathtaking locations. If that’s the case for you — if that’s what you imagine the best that VR has to offer being like — then you’ve come to the right place. This is our list of the top 10 very best VR RPGs that you can play on Rift, Vive, PSVR, Oculus Quest, and Windows MR right now.
We’re still in the early days of consumer-focused VR so that means we haven’t quite reached the point where developers can spend years crafting the ultimate experience from top to bottom. Many of the games on this list are either ports of non-VR games or made by small teams with a passion for VR. Either way, these are our picks for the best.
And since we’re specifically collecting a list of RPGs (that means role-playing games) we’re leaving off stuff that is primarily a shooter, adventure game, or even just combat-focused action games like Blade & Sorcery if it doesn’t feature a heavy emphasis on RPG elements. We’re also leaving off mobile titles because there just aren’t many great VR RPGs on mobile (other than The Well, you should definitely play that on Go and Gear VR.)
Asgard’s Wrath is not only a step forward for Sanzaru Games as a development studio, but also a fundamental advancement for VR games in general. It’s a captivating experience full of enchanting adventure from start to finish. When people buy a headset with the idea of visiting strange, beautiful, and rich new worlds full of exciting things they can only do in VR, this is the type of game they’re imagining.
There are some small gripes here and there and it’s not perfect by any means, but it’s certainly the best VR game yet that I’ve played. After over 25 hours of questing through the realms of Norse mythology, all I can think about is the laundry list of things I’ve still yet to discover. Asgard’s Wrath is, from top to bottom, an extraordinary accomplishment.
When Skyrim VR was announced at E3, it was like a dream come true for me. The Elder Scrolls is one of my all-time favorite game franchises and the thought of being able to walk the streets of Whiterun and slay dragons in VR was just an incredible proposition. And luckily, it lives up to the hype.
The VR implementation could have used a bit more work since the flat menus and awkward NPC interaction leaves a bit to be desired, but the scale and amount of content is unmatched in VR. This is truly one of the best RPGs ever made, now in VR. If you’re on PC then you can play with mods too!
Journey of the Gods is a simple, yet charming game. It doesn’t try to reinvent the wheel in terms of action adventure games in VR go and it certainly won’t blow your mind with its visuals, but what we’ve got here is a well-made and tightly designed adventure with hours of content to explore. I’d love to see this turned into a franchise so we could experience a bigger, better, and bolder sequel. As it stands, Journey of the Gods is a delightful and fun game worth adventuring with.
It’s available on both Quest and Rift, providing an adventurous scratch for your RPG itch.
Romping through dungeons with friends is a ton of fun, especially when it’s VR and you’ve got defined class roles. Similar to VR Dungeon Knight, also on this list, Karnage Chronicles is heavily focused on co-op fun. There’s a surprising amount to this one with some solid progression systems and really inventive environment designs keeping you coming back.
It’s still in active development, but you can already experience a lot of great content even while it’s still in Early Access.
From inXile Entertainment, the actual creators of The Bard’s Tale and Wasteland comes The Mage’s Tale, an excellent single-player RPG that pits you against dangerous goblins, deadly traps, and a surprisingly lengthy campaign featuring 10+ hours of content.
This one is out on Rift, Vive, and PSVR and it packs a lot of good RPG fun with some of the best production values in the genre. It’s not open world and is instead extremely linear, but the pacing is great with a fun adventure
While not classified as an RPG directly in the most traditional sense, it’s got most of the core hallmarks in place and lets you immerse yourself in one of the largest and most detailed virtual universes ever crafted. For all intents and purposes, this is a sci-fi RPG epic in our books.
No Man’s Sky is very much more than the sum of its parts. When looked at under a microscope individually, each element can show significant blemishes with plenty of room to be more polished, more dynamic, and more expansive, but to focus too intently on the moving parts and not take it in as a collection of its immersive ambitions would be missing the point. Performance issues and some non-game breaking bugs aside, to appreciate what makes No Man’s Sky VR so special is to appreciate the underlying appeal of VR as a medium. They’re both about exploring a vast, endless sea of fantastical destinations. They’re both about embodiment and unrivaled immersion. And above all else they’re both about becoming who you want to be by exploring the far corners of seemingly limitless potential.
This one holds the crown of being the first-ever actually released and supported VR MMOs. Obviously it can’t hold a candle to Sword Art Online or Ready Player One just yet, but it has laid a great foundation for what’s to come.
Now that is massive overhaul is out and its released on Quest, OrbusVR is bigger and better than ever. Plus you can play for free all the way up to level 10!
Shadow Legend (Read Our Review)
Shadow Legend probably isn’t going to blow any minds or make believers out of anyone that has decided VR isn’t for them, but it does deliver on its promise of offering a feature-filled single player VR RPG that tells a complete story with action and intrigue. Production values and clunkiness aside, the mere fact that Shadow Legend feels like an actual game probably says more about the state of the VR market than it does the quality of the adventure itself. At the end of the day when I lay down my Knight’s Templar sword and finish slaying demons, all I could think is how badly I wish there was more.
Shadow Legend is out on PC VR headsets and is coming to PSVR sometime this year.
This is really the original roomscale VR RPG. It came out at the same time in Early Access back when the HTC Vive first launched almost three years ago and is still one of the best. It’s now out of Early Access and the massive expansion more than doubles the game’s size and length.
Vanishing Realms is the most traditional D&D-inspired game on this list and is all about exploring dungeons, fighting enemies, and bypassing some simple puzzles and traps. It’s a world rife with potential and is still a blast to play to this day.
On the gamut of magic-based first-person action games, The Wizards: Enhanced Editions is definitely one of the better ones. Its spell-casting system is interactive without being too cumbersome and the campaign mode packs a solid amount of content. Plenty of collectibles, a replayable Arena mode, and lots of mission augmentations add up to this being a really fun journey. But some of the repetition, relatively short length, and recycled wave-shooter-style mission structures left us wanting a bit more creativity. I absolutely enjoyed my time with The Wizards, but with a few additions it could have been the definitive VR spell-casting game.
It’s out on PSVR, PC VR, and even Oculus Quest now too.
Pimax fordert noch etwas mehr Geduld von seinen Backern, denn die Auslieferung der Pimax 8K verzögert sich aufgrund neuer Qualitätsstandards des Unternehmens. Demnach sollen die Produktion und der Versand erst ab dem 10. Februar beginnen. Dafür dürfen sich Besitzer einer Pimax-Brille über die neue Beta-Software Brainwarp 1.0 freuen, welche dank den neuen Features Smart Smoothing und Foveated Rendering die Performance deutlich optimieren sollen.
Pimax 8K – Produktion und Auslieferung verzögert sich bis zum 10. Februar
Im Gegensatz zur Pimax 5K+ verzögert sich die Produktion und Auslieferung der Pimax 8K um einige weitere Wochen. Dies verkünden die Verantwortlichen im offiziellen Pimax-Forum und entschuldigen sich zeitgleich bei den Backern für die Umständlichkeiten. Grund für die längere Wartezeit sind höhere Qualitätsstandards, welche erforderlich sind, bevor die Endgeräte an die Kunden ausgeliefert werden können. Dies soll Mängel im Produkt und dadurch entstehende Rücksendungen verhindern.
Im offiziellen Statement heißt es entsprechend:
“Wir haben Qualität über Quantität gestellt und wir hoffen, dass Sie uns unterstützen werden, da wir sicherstellen, dass wir Ihnen die besten Geräte liefern, die wir bauen können.”
Die neue Norm veranlasste das Unternehmen zahlreiche 4K-LCD-Displays an Zulieferer zurückzusenden, wodurch eine Produktionslücke entstand. Dadurch konnten viele geplante Auslieferungen nicht durchgeführt werden. Aufgrund des anstehenden chinesischen Frühjahrsfests vom 3. bis 10. Februar ist das zuständige Logistikzentrum geschlossen und es können keine weiteren VR-Brillen fertiggestellt werden. Danach sollen die restlichen Geräte mit Hochdruck bearbeitet und versendet werden.
Pimax Brainwarp 1.0 – Beta-Software mit neuen Features: Smart Smoothing und Foveated Rendering
Positive Nachrichten gibt es dagegen Software-seitig, denn das Unternehmen veröffentlichte die neue Beta-Software Brainwarp 1.0 mit neuen Features für ein ordentliches Performance-Upgrade. So veröffentlicht Pimax sein Äquivalent zu Oculus Asynchronous SpaceWarpund dem Motion Smoothing von Valve. Das Smart Smoothing aktiviert sich automatisch bei einem Framerate-Einbruch unter 90 FPS und sorgt für eine bessere Bildrate bzw. Darstellung der VR-Inhalte. Die Framerate ist sowohl für die 5K+- wie auch für die 8K-Brille individuell festlegbar.
Ein Beispiel für Foveated Rendering von SMI
Als zweite Funktion beinhaltet das Update das Foveated Rendering für Nvidia-RTX-GPUs in drei verschiedenen Stufen. Die Funktion ermöglicht es, nur einen bestimmten Bildausschnitt im Sichtbereich in voller Auflösung zu rendern, um Rechenleistung zu sparen. Der vom menschlichen Auge kaum wahrnehmbare Rand wird zeitgleich in der Auflösung reduziert. Das Feature ist in den drei Stufen conservative, ballanced und aggressive nutzbar. Derzeit sind beim Einsatz allerdings Spielabstürze bzw. Darstellungskomplikationen möglich. In diesen Fällen empfiehlt Pimax einen Neustart der Anwendung.
Pimax issued a statement on their forums stating that their 8K headset will not be shipped to all backers this month as previously claimed. The statement was also sent out via email.
The company explained that the 4K LCD panels used in the Pimax 8K have been rejected at a much higher rate since they enacted stricter QA testing.
So when will the remaining backers of the 8K model get their headset? Pimax made clear that it would not be before the Chinese Spring Festival which runs until February 10th. This means it’ll be weeks or months before all are produced & shipped.
The 8K headset isn’t the company’s only offering however. There is also the ‘Pimax 5K+’. Despite having lower resolution (1440p) panels the visual quality of the 5K+ is actually preferred by many. This is another reminder of the important fact that resolution is only one spec of a panel. While marketing departments everywhere would have you believe otherwise, a lower resolution can look superior if the other specs of the panel are better by enough of a degree.
The 5K+ headset isn’t free of QA issues either however. Pimax now has a replacement program for a “black dots” issue. This is a flaw in some 5K+ units where, as in the name, black dots appear over the panel.
It’s now 16 months since the Pimax kickstarter launched. While the company has finally shipped almost all of its 5K+ model, backers of the original 8K are still waiting.
As we stated when we analyzed Pimax’s shipping record, the company’s repeated inability to meet self-defined deadlines means that we strongly recommend not ordering a headset until they completely fulfill backer orders, clear their current backlog, and demonstrate the ability to consistently ship at scale.
Specialist virtual reality (VR) broadcaster NextVR has partnered with several of the biggest sporting associations to bring fans up close and immersive 360-degree action. Today, the company has announced a new partnership with the National Hockey League (NHL) in association with Disney Streaming Services, enabling hockey fans to enjoy more of their favourite sport.
To mark the start of the new partnership NHL fans will be able to watch last weekends 2019 Honda NHLAll-Star Game which NextVR captured, available for free via the NHL channel on NextVR’s app.
“There couldn’t be a better time to add the NHL to our growing portfolio of content partnerships. The VR industry continues to gather momentum after a blockbuster holiday shopping season, and now more sports fans than ever will be able to immerse themselves in this completely new hockey VR experience,” said Danny Keens, VP of Content at NextVR in a statement. “NHL fans are passionate and always on the look-out for more action and adrenaline. This partnership will give them sensations that only fans at the arena have been able to experience so far.”
The All-Star Game is just the first in a much broader content lineup that NextVR has planned, with future NHL coverage set to feature post-game highlights which will showcase the speed and finesse of NHL‘s teams, the big hits, epic matchups and of course the goals. Neither the NHL or NextVR have said which games will be recorded and when further content will be rolled out.
“We are always looking to create new experiences for our passionate fans, and are pleased to partner with NextVR, a global leader in producing virtual reality content. Not every fan can experience our marquee events in-person, but NextVR‘s immersive content will bring fans closer to the on-ice action than ever before and make them feel like they are at a live NHL game,“adds Chris Golier, NHL Vice President of Business Development.
The free NextVR app can be downloaded for the following platforms, direct from their own stores: Oculus Go, Oculus Rift, PlayStation VR, HTC Vive Pro, HTC Vive Focus, HTC Vive, Windows Mixed Reality, Pimax, Gear VR, and Google Daydream. For further NextVR updates, keep reading VRFocus.
Samsung filed a patent application for a VR headset with a field of view of at least 180 degrees. The headset is described as using a curved OLED display.
The patent describes attaining the wide field of view while maintaining reasonable size and weight as a crucial design consideration. To achieve this, the design uses two lenses per eye. One pair of standard fresnel lenses with a field of view of 120, combined with a second set of wide angle strip lenses positioned at an angle.
This would provide a full vertical field of view for regular vision and partial in the peripheral. The curved screen would allow the overall design to remain relatively compact compared to other wide field of view headsets.
Companies frequently patent technologies which never come to market. But if Samsung did decide to go forwards with this design, they could leverage their competitive advantage as the world’s largest small OLED panel manufacturer. Samsung Galaxy smartphones already incorporate curved OLED technology.
In an October interview with Lowyat.NET, the CEO of Samsung Electronics confirmed that the company was heavily looking in to both VR and AR. The Samsung Odyssey series has been well recieved by VR buyers. It offers Vive Pro resolution at a significantly more affordable price.
Samsung’s future in this industry seems promising- we’ll keep you updated on any further hints of the company’s future VR plans.
