It's one thing to be Vive- and Rift-ready on the hardware end, and another to be prepared for the head-mounted displays on the software side. Graphics chipmakers AMD and Nvidia have been rolling out software solutions to make sure those newly shipped Oculus Rift and HTC Vive headsets run as well as they can on Day 1.
For AMD GPUs, the chipmaker has released Radeon Software Crimson Edition version 16.3.2. It supports the Rift, Vive and AMD's Radeon Pro Duo graphics card.
"Radeon Software Crimson Edition is AMD's revolutionary new graphics software that delivers redesigned functionality, supercharged graphics performance, remarkable new features, and innovation that redefines the overall user experience," says AMD. "Every Radeon Software release strives to deliver new features, better performance and stability improvements."
For Nvidia hardware, the chipmaker has updated its GeForce Game Ready WHQL drivers to version 364.72. Its drivers support the Vive and Rift, and they're optimized for upcoming flat screen experiences including Paragon and Quantum Break.
"Our new GeForce Game Ready 364.72 WHQL drivers are optimized for the Oculus Rift and HTC Vive Virtual Reality headsets, Virtual Reality games like Chronos, Elite Dangerous and EVE: Valkyrie, and other games, such as Dark Souls III, Killer Instinct, Paragon, and Quantum Break," Nvidia says.
The pair of updates have arrived just in time for the $600 Oculus Rift release date, which was yesterday (March 28). The $800 HTC Vive is set to launch on April 5.
Yesterday saw the arrival of the first Oculus Rift headsets that were promised to those who helped kickstart the concept, and Oculus VR co-founder Palmer Luckey even personally handed the first preordered package to a customer in Alaska. Those fortunate souls won't have to pay the $600 Oculus VR is charging for the headsets, because they backed it back when the company suggested that the retail price would be around $300.
For those who preordered the Rift, they're being notified via email of the dates they're headset will ship. They should received the notifications between one to three weeks ahead of their headset's prep for shipment.
Oculus is still taking new orders for those who'd like to step into the Rift virtual reality. But for those who don't have PCs capable of supporting the headset, Microsoft, Amazon and Best Buy are gearing up to sell bundles that include the Rift and gaming rigs.
