Oculus Touch VR Controllers Compete vs HTC Vive

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With multiple sets of HMDs (Head Mounted Display) targeting the gaming industry, there is a lot to be expected from big companies creating such peripherals. With Oculus Rift, Sony’s PlayStation VR (PS4) and Valve’s “HTC Vive”, competition may not be the exact word to describe it…

The long awaited release of Oculus Touch VR Controllers is over. Priced at $199 it brings the total package cost similar to HTC Vive, which sits at $799, plus a high end PC to support it. If you had a pre-order, Oculus Touch controllers come with two free games and 50* launch titles available to purchase through Oculus Store. It is worth to mention that many HTC Vive games will be compatible with Oculus Touch; which adds up to a large selection of VR content.

Initially, HTC Vive had a huge advantage over Oculus due to having actual VR controllers from the get go, but now that Oculus Touch VR controllers have been released; it paints a different story…

Sited from multiple online reviews, Oculus Touch Controllers appear to have and edge over HTC Vive because of its ergonomics and more precise hand to controller perception in VR environments. This is due to it’s hand conforming design and light weight. Compared to Vive; which utilizes rather large, wand like appearance.

To be fair, Vive’s controllers can be better for holding certain objects, like sword or a gun.

Given that the only HMD without real competition in their niche market is Sony’s PlayStation VR; it would be naive to think that Oculus and Valve don’t see each other as competition considering both use PC as means of delivering VR content. Admittedly, there are multiple reason to think that developers of HTC Vive and Oculus are collaborating in certain aspects when it comes to design and technology ideas, but when it comes down to it, they are separate entities looking to make themselves a forefront in HMD technology.

The only thing we can expect from VR in near future are rapid changes, not only in technology but in the way people perceive VR and potential use for it. Ultimately, VR’s success is going to be driven by consumers, but if we consider the amount of time and money invested in VR we can certainly expect an optimistic future.

The feedback to VR developers should be; “Take your time”.