As well as unveiling their new Oculus Rift consumer hardware, Oculus VR also unveiled a new VR controller they have created in the form of the Oculus Touch.
The Oculus Touch consists of a pair of controllers that are held in either hand and equipped with an analog stick, two buttons, and an analog trigger. Together with haptic feedback and what Oculus calls the “hand trigger.”
Oculus founder Palmer Luckey explained that Oculus VR have designed the new Touch controller to be capable of tracking “a set of finger poses” that work to “recognise natural hand poses like pointing, waving, or giving a thumbs-up,”
Innovative Features of Oculus Touch
The Oculus Touch controllers are designed to offer an immersive and intuitive VR experience. The inclusion of haptic feedback allows users to feel vibrations that correspond to in-game actions, enhancing the sense of realism. The analog stick and buttons provide traditional input methods, while the analog trigger offers precise control, making it suitable for various types of games, from first-person shooters to puzzle games.
One of the standout features of the Oculus Touch is its ability to track finger movements. This is achieved through a combination of sensors and algorithms that can detect different hand gestures. For instance, users can point at objects, wave to other players, or give a thumbs-up, all of which are recognized by the system and translated into corresponding actions in the virtual world. This level of interaction makes the VR experience more engaging and lifelike.
The reveal was made during the Oculus ‘Step Into The Rift’ event held in San Francisco, California, US, during which it was revealed that the Rift headset would also come bundled with an Xbox One controller. Oculus CEO Brendan Iribe explained.
“This is the beginning of VR gaming,”-“You’re going to experience games as you’ve always dreamed of experiencing them.”
Future Prospects and Market Impact
The introduction of the Oculus Touch is a significant milestone in the evolution of VR technology. By providing a more natural and intuitive way to interact with virtual environments, these controllers have the potential to revolutionize how we experience digital content. The ability to use hand gestures and finger movements opens up new possibilities for game developers, who can now create more interactive and immersive experiences.
Moreover, the inclusion of an Xbox One controller with the Rift headset indicates Oculus VR’s commitment to offering a versatile gaming experience. This move ensures that users can enjoy a wide range of games, from traditional console titles to cutting-edge VR experiences. It also highlights the company’s strategy to appeal to both hardcore gamers and casual users.
As soon as more information is made available with regards to hardware specifications, availability, and pricing, we will keep you updated as always. The anticipation surrounding the Oculus Touch and Rift headset is palpable, and it will be interesting to see how these innovations shape the future of VR gaming and beyond.
Source: Gamespot
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