So Bioshock Infinite is now finally so good, I have a hard time not mistaking it for an actual full fledged seated VR experience. While DirectVR brought in what we needed to see this game become playable, the latest updates have finally solved the critical issues one could encounter. With the correct settings, the game becomes VorpX’s best showcase title.

It’s not intuitive at first, because we’re all used to running the games at 4:3 ratios when we use this tool, but here’s the ideal config for Bioshock Infinite, which implies using Windowed-fullscreen in order to avoid having mouse focus problems.

1) Install game and run at least once (probably already done)

2) Config the graphics: 1920×1080 (or your monitor’s resolution), Windowed (Fullscreen) for Display Mode – not fullscreen nor windowed. Do not touch FOV slider it’s important: it needs to be in the default middle setting. For all other graphics options, customize at will. I have AA off (bad FXAA is bad) Textures and filtering on ultra, dynamic shadows very high, postprocessing normal, light shafts on, AO on Normal. Save that. Close the game.

3) Start runtimes, VorpX & the game; start a new game. Let the opening scene and the boat ride play through on wrong FOV & tracking. It’ll be over soon I promise :-P

4) Once you make it to the docks, stand in a clear area (not close to a wall or obstacle) open the VorpX HUD. In “Main Settings”, set 3D to Geometry, separation strength at 0.7, and last but not least under “Display Settings” turn FluidSync to “off”. Finally, go to DirectVR and select Run Direct VR Scan. (Or use the hotkey).

5) Play Bioshock Infinite.

Initially I was using very similar settings, but with 1600×1200 as res in windowed, and the gameplay was unbearable because one click out of three would result in window focus loss, and thus the pause menu coming up midplay. What I didn’t expect is that DirectVR is smart enough to “figure it out” while you run at a 16:9 ratio, and you don’t get letterboxing bars. With Windowed-fullscreen and single display, you’re sure that mouse won’t be going anywhere but inside the Bioshock Infinite window.

Tips & known issues:

1) Single display only. Disconnect multiple displays to avoid mouse focus problems.

2) The game has this dumb “fade to letterbox” mechanic that VorpX cannot fight: when you get close to *some* railings or windows (it’s really random) the FOV will start slowly zooming in. It happens a lot in the lighthouse; avoid looking straight out over the railings to prevent this. After the lighthouse though, this issue becomes more and more rare, so don’t be discouraged by it.

3) The water in the welcome center is pretty much busted, but it’s only there. I’m at Monument Tower and I haven’t seen it since then. Again, no discouragement; this is issue isn’t frequent at all.

4) At Raffle Square, with Direct VR on, the prompt to throw #77 won’t show nor respond. Disable DirectVR, make your choice, and reenable DirectVR. It’s that simple. I have not come across another moment like that in the game.

5) Do not do a DirectVR scan during cutscenes or while the game does its shift to letterbox (including the boat ride in the beginning) as it will probably fail. I’ve seen my FOV scan fail a couple of times, once cause I was right up to a wall, and another I couldn’t explain as the second attempt worked.

Here’s a demonstration of the settings procedure, along with subsequent gameplay. Haven’t published this video yet, but I don’t mind if folks share it. The tutorial in there is pretty much set in stone for me at this point.

