The History of VR Headsets, Abridged

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As you scroll through this list, consider also having a tab open to our Portfolio page to get a sense of how Schell Games' story has evolved with the VR\/MR\/AR devices from the past decade. Schell Games' creations have been a part of this resurgence of interest in virtual worlds from the beginning, as evidenced by I Expect You To Die topping the charts on Oculus Share longer than any other title. As you browse the store pages and apps on your next VR device, we hope you'll consider our games. "},"id":"28948035-4b90-4c7a-9b93-325bc2ec4eb0","isHidden":false,"type":"textBlock"},{"content":{"level":"h2","text":"Oculus Rift DK1 (2012)","customid":""},"id":"ed5a0475-32b3-4d19-9ce3-040d0e4e8afe","isHidden":false,"type":"headingBlock"},{"content":{"text":" With immersive visuals and low-latency tracking, this development kickstarted modern VR. It featured a groundbreaking 90-degree field of vision and relied on a computer\u2019s processing power to deliver the images. This innovation refreshed interest in VR and sparked its mainstream appeal. Notable Games & Apps: aaaAAAaaaaAAAAaaaaaAAAAA , Elite Dangerous , JanusVR Web Browser (more on https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?app=desktop&v=ShfCF-F284A ) "},"id":"87a929ee-f51c-4ff4-a968-a5ebf138d57b","isHidden":false,"type":"textBlock"},{"content":{"location":"kirby","image":["file:\/\/379rJtC64Lw4MMpG"],"src":"","alt":"Oculus Rift","caption":"","link":"","ratio":"","crop":"false"},"id":"cde5f39f-7838-4b0c-ae77-aa72ba2ec314","isHidden":false,"type":"imageBlock"},{"content":{"level":"h2","text":"HTC Vive (2016)","customid":""},"id":"58deeea0-5aa2-4466-9d1e-57d5a1d276fc","isHidden":false,"type":"headingBlock"},{"content":{"text":" The HTC VIVE SteamVR headset set a new standard for high-end gaming with its precise tracking technology. As the first commercial headset to feature sensor-based tracking, it allowed users to move freely within a space, effectively bringing full-body VR movement to life and pioneering a new era in immersive gaming. Notable Games & Apps: GORN , Google Earth VR . The Lab , Arizona Sunshine , OrbusVR "},"id":"3879f92e-11fb-40bb-925f-30cc9d7ff04f","isHidden":false,"type":"textBlock"},{"content":{"location":"kirby","image":["file:\/\/mdoii6kDuLkc7bDx"],"src":"","alt":"","caption":"","link":"","ratio":"","crop":"false"},"id":"465136e4-2ede-4ee8-946c-6ba6aede78e9","isHidden":false,"type":"imageBlock"},{"content":{"level":"h2","text":"PlayStation\u00ae VR (2016)","customid":""},"id":"1bbd91ef-3831-48d3-827b-5c1f6afe742e","isHidden":false,"type":"headingBlock"},{"content":{"text":" PlayStation\u00ae VR delivered a great experience while making virtual reality accessible to mainstream gamers. Its comparative affordability and quality helped bring VR into the hands of a broader audience. Notable Games & Apps: Star Wars Squadrons , The Inpatient , Playstation\u00ae VR Worlds, Monster of the Deep: Final Fantasy XV , Psychonauts in the Rhombus of Ruin "},"id":"59536a98-32be-4d41-985a-b5fdd36acc76","isHidden":false,"type":"textBlock"},{"content":{"location":"kirby","image":["file:\/\/ZBORTtcFVMpWFSZ2"],"src":"","alt":"PlayStation VR Headset","caption":"","link":"","ratio":"","crop":"false"},"id":"52d32d2a-9002-472b-909d-26f95a630846","isHidden":false,"type":"imageBlock"},{"content":{"level":"h2","text":"Oculus Go (2018)","customid":""},"id":"17c27fa9-a67a-49a6-9e4e-f054c412b2ec","isHidden":false,"type":"headingBlock"},{"content":{"text":" The Oculus Go broke into the standalone VR headset market, a novel concept. Tailored for casual users, it provided an accessible VR experience with its all-in-one design, eliminating the need for costly external hardware. While it had limitations, the Oculus Go made virtual reality more attainable by combining all essential components into a single, untethered device. Notable Games & Apps: Within 360 video app, Oculus Video, Oculus TV, Oculus Venues, Dear Angelica "},"id":"2ba4c33d-dc35-4456-9abb-6063b3405caf","isHidden":false,"type":"textBlock"},{"content":{"location":"kirby","image":["file:\/\/2gD6OEjlw0pXCDqI"],"src":"","alt":"Oculus Go Headset","caption":"","link":"","ratio":"","crop":"false"},"id":"77be3922-54df-4dd7-8ffb-1ffb93f85137","isHidden":false,"type":"imageBlock"},{"content":{"level":"h2","text":"Oculus Rift S (2019)","customid":""},"id":"f697dc45-8b32-425c-b1e1-32f01a260d40","isHidden":false,"type":"headingBlock"},{"content":{"text":" The Oculus Rift S marked a pivotal moment in VR innovation with its inside-out tracking, eliminating the need for external sensors. "},"id":"f121b6b3-e099-4b48-a78d-6c3b1a94c0dc","isHidden":false,"type":"textBlock"},{"content":{"location":"kirby","image":["file:\/\/lSiZGakAG8NPTrfg"],"src":"","alt":"Oculus Rift S Headset","caption":"","link":"","ratio":"","crop":"false"},"id":"3e58fb95-3d49-46f8-8d89-40ebd916f936","isHidden":false,"type":"imageBlock"},{"content":{"level":"h2","text":"Oculus Quest (2019)","customid":""},"id":"7d775891-ecb6-46a9-a5ec-54ad53ceb0d0","isHidden":false,"type":"headingBlock"},{"content":{"text":" This headset introduced six degrees of freedom (6DoF) tracking, allowing users to move and rotate freely in any direction. Paired with wireless freedom, it delivered a fully immersive VR experience without needing external hardware. "},"id":"2fd641e2-f0b5-4ae7-b4d0-18d2fa422a80","isHidden":false,"type":"textBlock"},{"content":{"location":"kirby","image":["file:\/\/VnBbOBXRdp8T935v"],"src":"","alt":"Oculus Quest 3S","caption":"","link":"","ratio":"","crop":"false"},"id":"2625d03f-6ebf-40b5-9af5-7c39ef43bd93","isHidden":false,"type":"imageBlock"},{"content":{"level":"h2","text":"Valve Index (2019)","customid":""},"id":"e9ea4283-3bc7-4828-95a7-d026f23c240a","isHidden":false,"type":"headingBlock"},{"content":{"text":" The Valve Index set a new benchmark for VR with its cutting-edge finger-tracking controllers and top-tier visuals, delivering an incredible immersive experience. It provided high-fidelity graphics and precise interaction, elevating VR to new levels of realism. The headset influenced future hardware design. Notable Game: Half-Life: Alyx was absolutely the game changer on this platform "},"id":"f1beac27-8014-43e1-acd1-af3bdcc85bf0","isHidden":false,"type":"textBlock"},{"content":{"location":"kirby","image":["file:\/\/oVGlE5XzaAN918l4"],"src":"","alt":"Valve Index","caption":"","link":"","ratio":"","crop":"false"},"id":"f2977063-b164-4ffe-9110-05d1de702d5a","isHidden":false,"type":"imageBlock"},{"content":{"level":"h2","text":"Meta Quest 2 (2020)","customid":""},"id":"0fd85e6c-abe5-4ecb-835c-80b5bb4cb241","isHidden":false,"type":"headingBlock"},{"content":{"text":" The Meta Quest 2 offered a lighter, faster, and comparatively affordable alternative to its predecessor, quickly becoming a top-selling VR headset. Its competitive pricing and robust features made virtual reality more appealing to a wider audience. "},"id":"1e85ccd6-0edb-4405-b742-8fbdcdcd0234","isHidden":false,"type":"textBlock"},{"content":{"location":"kirby","image":["file:\/\/ZCA4mggIaryWORAY"],"src":"","alt":"Meta Quest 2","caption":"","link":"","ratio":"","crop":"false"},"id":"e19992b1-0d4f-4444-834f-12e606b7b9a3","isHidden":false,"type":"imageBlock"},{"content":{"level":"h2","text":"HP Reverb G2 (2020)","customid":""},"id":"1ad59718-d1a1-441d-9f77-0d7f02dce47c","isHidden":false,"type":"headingBlock"},{"content":{"text":" This high-resolution headset featured significant enhancements in design, comfort, and performance. Its sharp visuals and ergonomic improvements set a new standard for clarity and usability in VR. Notable Exclusives (at least when they launched): Lego Bricktales , Asgard's Wrath 2 , Wallace & Gromit in The Grand Getaway , The Climb 2 "},"id":"452dae2c-a10a-4d00-832b-83ced4efd72e","isHidden":false,"type":"textBlock"},{"content":{"location":"kirby","image":["file:\/\/nt6zJLNF7jCx7OHA"],"src":"","alt":"Hp Reverb G2 Headeset","caption":"","link":"","ratio":"","crop":"false"},"id":"c44e79be-ae8e-445f-b20d-b8e5420683e9","isHidden":false,"type":"imageBlock"},{"content":{"level":"h2","text":"PICO 4 (2022)","customid":""},"id":"275bf42b-1d75-4370-aa91-a0532401be7c","isHidden":false,"type":"headingBlock"},{"content":{"text":" With advanced tracking and high-resolution displays, the headset offered a lightweight experience for consumers and enterprises alike. PICO 4 is pivotal in popularizing VR in Europe and Asia, setting new standards in the industry. "},"id":"d8c643a6-7ded-49aa-abda-2eaae18beaf2","isHidden":false,"type":"textBlock"},{"content":{"location":"kirby","image":["file:\/\/JaXs4JqdE8nljxdo"],"src":"","alt":"PICO 4","caption":"","link":"","ratio":"","crop":"false"},"id":"cdbea46e-b4e4-4459-a61b-5d620c2039ac","isHidden":false,"type":"imageBlock"},{"content":{"level":"h2","text":"Meta Quest Pro (2022)","customid":""},"id":"83c9bfb4-728a-4e66-ba7d-a71915d116db","isHidden":false,"type":"headingBlock"},{"content":{"text":" The Quest Pro's innovations in tracking and interaction advanced immersive technology, influencing the direction of future VR and MR developments. "},"id":"cbf89de2-1ae2-435f-ba58-c4416c0bd887","isHidden":false,"type":"textBlock"},{"content":{"location":"kirby","image":["file:\/\/ZY470wXMnBY7pqEp"],"src":"","alt":"Meta Quest Pro","caption":"","link":"","ratio":"","crop":"false"},"id":"689eb087-9c5b-494d-9866-44bba74c4264","isHidden":false,"type":"imageBlock"},{"content":{"level":"h2","text":"PlayStation\u00ae VR2 (2023)","customid":""},"id":"4b708317-b2c4-4784-aa98-ca60bbdaa6cb","isHidden":false,"type":"headingBlock"},{"content":{"text":" The PlayStation\u00ae VR2 introduced advanced features such as improved tracking, eye tracking, and haptic feedback, offering a more immersive and responsive virtual reality experience. These innovations set a new standard for console VR systems. Notable Exclusives: Resident Evil 4 VR Mode , Horizon Call of the Mountain , Firewall Ultra , Gran Turismo 7 , No Man's Sky "},"id":"a607a97f-1e54-4ef5-a2d8-5c6159f24a39","isHidden":false,"type":"textBlock"},{"content":{"location":"kirby","image":["file:\/\/z8uji7KZqZ4QE0AK"],"src":"","alt":"PSVR 2 Headset","caption":"","link":"","ratio":"","crop":"false"},"id":"c375893b-f0fc-4043-8cff-6168048c8733","isHidden":false,"type":"imageBlock"},{"content":{"level":"h2","text":"Meta Quest 3 (2023)","customid":""},"id":"278c4a66-99c2-458f-b1a0-8f1f7f77df44","isHidden":false,"type":"headingBlock"},{"content":{"text":" The headset represents a significant leap in mixed reality with its enhanced capabilities and a slimmer, more comfortable design for extended use. With its advanced features, this headset pushed the boundaries of both VR and AR. "},"id":"ed483564-ee8e-4ddd-99b6-4864d30fdaf1","isHidden":false,"type":"textBlock"},{"content":{"location":"kirby","image":["file:\/\/wotBn0V8AhxAsuEj"],"src":"","alt":"Meta Quest 3","caption":"","link":"","ratio":"","crop":"false"},"id":"f1fe70ef-a64d-489b-af60-0d4011b71e1a","isHidden":false,"type":"imageBlock"},{"content":{"level":"h2","text":"Apple Vision Pro (2024)","customid":""},"id":"c237a04f-4377-4e3a-a121-b17f79d8b1c9","isHidden":false,"type":"headingBlock"},{"content":{"text":" Apple Vision Pro introduced a \u201cspatial computer\u201d that seamlessly blends digital and physical worlds. This device aims to redefine VR and AR experiences, setting a new benchmark for immersive technology through spatial computing. Notable Apps & Games: Personas avatar system, Super Fruit Ninja , Spatial Photo Studio , LEGO Builder's Journey , Puzzle Sculpt (yeah, we made that) "},"id":"b782442c-b684-486e-9a9c-d3420237c917","isHidden":false,"type":"textBlock"},{"content":{"location":"kirby","image":["file:\/\/0cqargWZbFUFp2L9"],"src":"","alt":"Apple Vision Pro","caption":"","link":"","ratio":"","crop":"false"},"id":"feba99ca-1206-4d8e-9fee-54b6444d936d","isHidden":false,"type":"imageBlock"},{"content":{"level":"h2","text":"Meta Quest 3S (2024)","customid":""},"id":"8928ee5c-f9b9-476f-986a-5f63e44fc11c","isHidden":false,"type":"headingBlock"},{"content":{"text":" The best of both worlds, the newest iteration of Meta's standalone headsets is an affordable entry into VR at the price of a Quest 2 but with the hardware and mixed reality goodness of the Quest 3. Shameless Plug Section: I Expect You To Die , Until You Fall , Silent Slayer: Vault of the Vampire , Among Us VR . It also comes bundled with Batman: Arkham Shadow which is even more reason to buy before April 30, 2025 (the day that bundle officially ends). "},"id":"35dbdbf3-1f75-4253-986d-7f82e0483ad8","isHidden":false,"type":"textBlock"},{"content":{"location":"kirby","image":["file:\/\/yjQLpxPoHsK8tTl6"],"src":"","alt":"Meta Quest 3S","caption":"","link":"","ratio":"","crop":"false"},"id":"527875d1-12ab-4f09-9063-ce1cfdd18971","isHidden":false,"type":"imageBlock"},{"content":{"text":" With each new innovation, the possibilities for immersive experiences expand, and we eagerly anticipate the next chapter in the evolution of XR. More reading on the history of Oculus in particular: https:\/\/www.meta.com\/blog\/quest\/five-years-of-vr-a-look-at-the-greatest-moments-from-oculus-rift-to-quest-2\/ "},"id":"1082122b-e3bd-4d24-9797-7fe3532493c8","isHidden":false,"type":"textBlock"}]