I'd say that it's not the peripheral that does it, but your virtual avatar's connection it.
One of the most surprising reactions I've had myself was with the Live For Speed demo and the Rift patch (using a G27). I didn't realize at first that you could turn on the drivers body. When I did, it looked pretty cool in the Rift, but there was a moment when I was going round a corner and I glanced down to see the virtual arm of the driver corresponding with where my real arm was on the G27. That was a massive "whoa" type moment for me - there was a genuine sense of connection between me and the virtual body in the Rift.
Having spent about 8 years in LFS, its a fantastic game, and Scawen is great for implementing things like the Rift, but at the same time reading about the implementation only frustrated me further. Its been dying for so long, there used to be a cracking racing community on there, and these days its pretty poor. Rockingham was announced 3yrs ago, and the VW Scirroco was being released 4yrs ago last xmas, then delayed because they realised the tyre model wasnt good enough and since then nothing has really changed. The early days, every month or 2 felt like a decent step forward (not surprising for pre-alpha) and they had S1 & S2 a few years on, and now nothing.
The community was begging for content, i havent a clue what Eric (models) does any more, its like its just Scawen & Victor (web - and the plans on updating LFSW seem to have stopped too).
Its slow death led to us closing down our successful team, which was more like a family, because there just wasnt the drive to keep doing the same things, the same MoE races season after season, and if theres no drive to practice hard it'd be pointless turning up and ruining our reputation. That was 4yr ago, and its still a decision i hated making, which wouldnt have been required if they'd bothered adding content (paid content).
You can actually turn the cinema graphics off, or just use another program called VR Player instead. For some reason though, I don't like watching a cinema size screen that's just surrounded by nothing. It just doesn't feel right to me, though the option is there if you want it.
I wouldnt want to use anything other than XBMC really, to go back to a media player just wouldnt be as functional. I'd want to jump in bed, use a WMC remote and either watch a film on the Rift or shows on the TV. Messing with a mouse cursor and file system would just be a step back, i'd leave it connected to the gaming PC instead and not bother about films. It shouldnt be a problem if it acts as a monitor though, it'll just show whatever XBMC shows. Not sure on 3D content unless its SBS, but thats not a big issue.
I think most of us are hoping at least for some DK2 news from GDC next month. You can still buy the DK1 (limited stock now), but at this stage you're probably better off waiting.
In other Rift news, the Star Citizen Hanger got a Rift patch today, but compared to Elite: Dangerous Rift support, it's a bit half-baked really.
Yeah, its good seeing them start adding basic functional support for that, and let the community with the DKs help shape it a little, im sure the developers can come up with something themselves but more people providing ideas/suggestions can hopefully hit upon better implementation and benefits (not unfair benefits).
OR has amazing potential for movies. I could be tempted to get one for that sole reason. Pair them up with a good pair of headphones and use CMSS to virtualise the 5.1 and you've got yourself a VR cinema
Yeah, this is what im thinking. Star Citizen alone looks like as good a reason to get it, but if its effortless to also use it for movies, fantastic.
