Virtual reality (VR) is one of the next big things in the technology industry and VR headsets such as the Oculus Rift, PlayStation VR and HTC Vive are in the pipeline.
Several VR headsets are already available in the market but the upcoming Oculus Rift, PlayStation VR and HTC Vive will be some of the most advanced ones, which customers will experience in 2016.
Here are some details about these headsets.
Oculus Rift
The Rift is being developed by Oculus VR and is in development since 2011. The VR headset is scheduled to be released in the first quarter of 2016.
"The Rift is unlike anything you've ever experienced. Whether you're stepping into your favorite game, watching an immersive VR movie, jumping to a destination on the other side of the world, or just spending time with friends in VR, you'll feel like you're really there," per Oculus.
Palmer Luckey, the founder and CEO of Oculus VR tweeted on Dec. 23 that pre-order for the Oculus Rift will begin "soon after new year." Luckey did not reveal the price of the upcoming headset but rumors suggest that it will be over $350. All Oculus Rift VR headsets will also include a Microsoft Xbox One wireless controller.
Customers who pre-order their Rift will get a free copy of EVE: Valkyrie, an upcoming multiplayer dogfighting shooter game.
PlayStation VR
Sony Computer Entertainment is also developing a VR headset called PlayStation VR, which will be compatible with the company's latest gaming console - PlayStation 4 (PS4) - and PlayStation camera.
The PlayStation VR will have a refresh rate of 120 Hz and will include a 5.7-inch OLED display that will provide 100 degrees field of view.
"Games for PlayStation VR can be rendered at 120fps. When combined with the OLED display's high refresh rate and the power of PS4, it means PS VR outputs amazingly smooth visuals," per Sony.
A number of games will be compatible with the PlayStation VR but about 10 games are estimated to be available at the launch of the Sony VR headset.
The PlayStation VR is expected to be launched in Q1 2016 and bear a price tag of about $400.
Check out a video of the PlayStation VR.
HTC Vive
HTC is developing the Vive VR headset in collaboration with Valve. The headset was expected to be available in limited quantities to the general public by the end of 2015 but the release has been delayed.
The HTC Vive will have a refresh rate of 90 Hz, which will allow content to be rendered at 90 fps. The HTC headset will also use two screens, one per eye, and each will have a resolution of 1080 x 1200.
HTC will give a demo of the HTC Vive at the International CES in January 2016. The developer version of the VR headset is expected to be released in February 2016, while the consumer version of the HTC Vive may hit the shelves in early Q2 2016. The price of the HTC Vive remains unknown at this time.
Games such as Half-Life 2 and Team Fortress 2 are believed to support HTC Vive.
