Step into the Rift

Today, we’re thrilled to introduce you to the Oculus Rift!

The Rift delivers on the promise of consumer virtual reality and next-generation VR gaming.

Custom Display and Tracking System

The Rift uses custom display and optics technology designed specifically for VR featuring two AMOLED displays with low-persistence. The technology enables incredible visual clarity as you explore virtual worlds with the Rift.

The headset is tracked by our IR LED constellation tracking system for precise, low latency 360-degree orientation and position tracking.

Integrated VR Audio

Audio is a critical component to achieving and amplifying presence.

The Rift features an integrated VR audio system designed to convince your ears that you’re truly there. The integrated headphones are also removable in case you want to use your own.

It also incorporates a high quality internal microphone for social experiences.

Ergonomics and Design

We’re incredibly excited for you to try the Rift’s new design — we’ve been refining it over the last few years.

The Rift has an advanced ergonomic design improves the headset’s overall balance and stability. This strap architecture offloads the overall weight, allowing the Rift to rest comfortably.

It’s as easy to put as slipping on a baseball cap. Once you’re in, simply adjust the straps to fit you.

Further, we’ve included a mechanism that allows you to adjust the distance between the lenses for the most comfortable visual experience. You can also remove the facial interface to replace the soft foam, and we’ve improved the form factor to better accommodate glasses.

Wireless Xbox One Controller included with every Rift

We’ve been working closely with developers to understand what they need from the Rift since the earliest days at Oculus.

Developers wanted an input device that was robust and versatile enough to enable next-generation games and experiences in this first generation of VR. As a result of that collaboration, we’ve decided to incorporate one of the best gamepads available, a wireless Xbox One controller, with every Rift.

The Xbox controller is a key part of the broader VR input puzzle. For example, it’s the absolute best way to play games like Lucky’s Tale, EVE: Valkyrie, and Edge of Nowhere.

…but what about new genres and categories of games that require a different set of inputs?

Introducing Oculus Touch

We see VR input evolving and coming in different forms depending on the experience you want to have in virtual reality.

While the Xbox controller is great for many games and genres, we want an input device that lets you to reach out and interact with objects in VR naturally.

We’re excited to introduce Oculus Touch!

Oculus Touch is a pair of tracked controllers that deliver hand presence – the sensation of feeling as though your virtual hands are actually your own. Touch will let people take their virtual reality experiences further than ever before by unlocking new interactions.

Today, we’re showing off a feature prototype for Oculus Touch at E3 called ‘Half Moon’. There are two controllers, one for each hand. They’re mirror images of each other, like your own hands.

Each Half Moon controller has a traditional analog thumbstick, two buttons, and an analog trigger. There’s also an input mechanism that we call the ‘hand trigger’. Imagine using this trigger to pick up a virtual gun, then using your index finger to fire it.

They’re wireless so that you can move and interact with the virtual world freely, and they use the same IR LED constellation tracking system we use in the Rift for precise, low-latency, 6-DOF tracking.

The Half Moon prototype includes haptics that developers can use to deliver feedback when interacting with objects in the virtual world.

Finally, Half Moon can detect a set of finger poses using a matrix of sensors mounted throughout the device, which allows the controller to recognize a set of communicative hand poses like pointing, waving, and giving a thumbs-up.

Oculus Touch will ship to gamers, developers, and enthusiasts in the first half of 2016, and will be available for pre-order around the same time as the Rift.

Gaming in the Rift

At today’s event, we showcased a few of the upcoming made-for-VR games for the Rift including EVE: Valkyrie from CCP Games, Chronos from Gunfire Games and Edge of Nowhere from Insomniac Games.

All of these games will be playable on the Rift at E3, along with new VR demos including:

Damaged Core by High Voltage

by High Voltage VR Sports: Challenge by Sanzaru

by Sanzaru Esper from Coatsink

from Coatsink AirMech by Carbon

by Carbon Lucky’s Tale from Playful

We’ll have more details on all of these games next week at E3. If you’re at the show, come by the booth and experience them for yourself on the consumer Rift. You can also find a demo on Oculus Live.

Stay tuned for more made-for-VR game announcements as we head toward the launch!

$10,000,000 to accelerate Independent Developers

We know that virtual reality is going to inspire a new generation of game developers, driven by emerging independent teams and individuals.

In order to bring these innovative, one-of-kind independent games to the Rift, we announced today that we will be investing more than $10,000,000 in accelerating and supporting them.

Anna Sweet, Head of Developer Strategy, speaking at the June 11th special event

Not only will these folks bring more and better games for launch and beyond, but we’re looking forward to their inventiveness and creativity in VR.

The Future of VR Gaming

Virtual reality is going to transform gaming forever. Thank you for being a part of this journey with us.

If you missed the event this morning, you can watch the recording of the livestream at twitch.tv/oculus.

We’re looking forward seeing you in the Rift!

— The Oculus team