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HTC and Valve announce virtual reality headset 'Vive'

HTC has revealed details of their upcoming virtual reality headset the HTC Vive. Perhaps most exc...
Newstalk
Newstalk

17.53 1 Mar 2015


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HTC and Valve announce virtual...

HTC and Valve announce virtual reality headset 'Vive'

Newstalk
Newstalk

17.53 1 Mar 2015


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HTC has revealed details of their upcoming virtual reality headset the HTC Vive.

Perhaps most excitingly, it turns out the technology company is teaming up with gaming company Valve, who have long teased a VR kit of their own. Valve is the company responsible for the incredibly popular Steam gaming service, and developers of hit games such as Half-Life, Left4Dead, Counter Strike and Dota2. 

The Vive will boast two 1200x1080 screens, and is capable of displaying 90 frames per second. A high refresh rate is considered one of the key elements in developing immersive virtual reality, and the Vive marks a step-up from the 75FPS capabilities of the Oculus Rift Development Kit 2 (DK2) - although the Oculus specs could change for the final consumer product.

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Another intriguing feature of the Vive is that the companies say it will be able to track a wearer's movements in a 15 foot by 15 foot room - which could allow users to stand up and 'walk around' in virtual spaces. It's also said that the device will come with a pair of VR controllers.

More details on the device are expected when it is shown off at the Game Developers Conference next week.

While the Oculus Rift - Oculus was acquired by Facebook last year - has yet to receive a concrete consumer release date, Valve and HTC are promising the Vive will be available to buy by the end of the year (with a development kit due in spring).

You can see the trailer for the Vive below, as well as some of Newstalk's finest testing out an Oculus Rift:


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