While it seems like the Dev Kit 2 only just came out, the new Crescent Bay Oculus Rift prototype looks to usurp it.
The Oculus Rift is chugging along like a runaway train these days, getting closer and closer to its final destination of retail release. At the Oculus Connect 2014, the company announced the new “Crescent Bay” prototype of the system, which it says “is the latest prototype headset on the path to the consumer version of the Rift.” Move over Dev Kit 2!
The Crescent Bay, as well as featuring new display technology, 360° head tracking, expanded positional tracking volume, dramatically improved weight and ergonomics, also actually has its own full-integrated audio. That’s right, you’ll no longer have to use a separate pair of headphones with the unit, as it will be an all-in-one solution.
“These enhancements allow for a level of presence that’s impossible to achieve with DK2,” said Oculus in a blog post. “There are plenty of technical challenges left to solve for the consumer Rift, but Crescent Bay is truly the best virtual reality headsets we’ve ever built,” it added, suggesting that the Rift’s final retail release is still a ways off into the future.
Also announced at the Connect event was the partnership between Oculus and the development platform Unity, meaning that Unity will now fully support Oculus and the Rift with a dedicated add-on that includes stereo imaging optimizations, 3D audio support, and other features specifically designed for virtual reality.
Exciting times for VR! I managed to try out the DK2 at this year’s Tokyo Game Show and I was incredibly impressed. If the Crescent Bay promises to be even more immersive, I can’t wait to be able to get my hands (eyes?) on it!
Source: Oculus
