Valve has confirmed an early beta of SteamVR Desktop Theater Mode, which will allow gamers to play traditional video games in virtual reality.
The new Desktop Theater Mode is critical for an uninterrupted VR experience. Without this mode, gamers will have to turn their VR headset on and off depending on the game they are playing. Certain games such as Torchlight, Far Cry 4 and more need a screen to play. However, with the new mode the screen will come to gamers in VR.
Valve has sent out an email regarding the new mode for Steam. HTC Vive and Oculus Rift will soon be in the hands of owners, and Steam has announced that many VR-ready games will be available at the launch of the VR headsets. However, not all games can be played in virtual reality without the new mode.
It is worth noting that even though the Desktop Theater Mode allows users to play any game in VR, not all games are designed to be played in VR. Playing non-VR games in VR may not translate to the same gaming experience in comparison to games specially designed for VR.
Valve's email did not give out a lot of details, but just confirmed the new mode.
"SteamVR Desktop Theater Mode is in early beta, and will be showcased at next week's Game Developer Conference in San Francisco. Desktop Theater Mode enables users to play non-VR games with VR systems such as the upcoming HTC Vive and others," says Valve's email.
According to the International Data Corporation, the VR industry will witness a massive growth in 2016 and in the coming years. While market research firm Digi-Capital estimates that the VR market will be worth $30 billion by 2020.
The GDC starts March 14 and will run through March 18. VR fans visiting the conference will have a chance to visit a special VR Lounge where they can experience latest VR games and technology.
"The new VR Lounge, which is sponsored and curated by Epic Games, will be open to GDC attendees all next week in the West Hall of the Moscone Convention Center to provide visitors the opportunity to get hands-on (and headsets-on) with a selection of the best VR content made for HTC Vive, PlayStation VR, Oculus Rift and Gear VR," says GDC.
VR enthusiasts who will be at the GDC and are curious to find more about the latest SteamVR Desktop Theater Mode should definitely head to the VR lounge.
