If you missed the news, or have been interested in any of the Windows Mixed Reality headsets, then now is the time to buy one... from Amazon:
https://differentimpulse.com/wmr-headset-prices-cut-half-amazon/
The price cuts for Dell, HP, and Lenovo are actually more than 50%!
I have high hopes for WMR, but they still seem a ways off when compared to the current competition. As far as I can tell, the only reason to buy a WMR if you already own a high-end PCVR headset, is because you want to be ready when the Exclusive WMR Titles are released. The main franchise that is going exclusive to WMR is Halo.
I'm a fan of Microsoft and I think that while the existing WMR product line is lacking, I feel that over time they will prove to be a great competitor. And this type of competition is what leads to greater innovation. I'm also a fan of the Halo franchise, but not much has been released about Halo VR aside from an (unfortunate) underwhelming demo: A Wave shooter where the Player doesn't shoot actual enemies, but "pictures of enemies."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HYV0rSCiifg
Of course, it's very early on for WMR so I am going to assume that Microsoft is just trying to release anything (no matter how small) to help add software to their hardware lineup. Their overall approach to VR, however, very much matches that of Facebook-Oculus; where WMR will be able to play Steam VR titles yet also maintain Exclusives through its own Store.
I'm not sure if it's worth the $200 investment yet, but that is a price-point that is certainly enticing! My only reservation is that by the time a true full AAA Halo VR game is released, MS will be on to Generation 2 of their headsets.
EDIT:
Adding the links for the products as of January 22, 2017:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B075PVLN2P
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B077R65C4D
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B077MF8TQ7
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0764GKZ15
https://differentimpulse.com/wmr-headset-prices-cut-half-amazon/
The price cuts for Dell, HP, and Lenovo are actually more than 50%!
I have high hopes for WMR, but they still seem a ways off when compared to the current competition. As far as I can tell, the only reason to buy a WMR if you already own a high-end PCVR headset, is because you want to be ready when the Exclusive WMR Titles are released. The main franchise that is going exclusive to WMR is Halo.
It's also important to point out Microsoft is planning Mixed Reality exclusives, and it's starting out with a uniquely VR take on the Halo franchise.
https://www.windowscentral.com/htc-vive-vs-windows-mixed-reality-which-should-you-buy
https://www.windowscentral.com/htc-vive-vs-windows-mixed-reality-which-should-you-buy
I'm a fan of Microsoft and I think that while the existing WMR product line is lacking, I feel that over time they will prove to be a great competitor. And this type of competition is what leads to greater innovation. I'm also a fan of the Halo franchise, but not much has been released about Halo VR aside from an (unfortunate) underwhelming demo: A Wave shooter where the Player doesn't shoot actual enemies, but "pictures of enemies."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HYV0rSCiifg
Of course, it's very early on for WMR so I am going to assume that Microsoft is just trying to release anything (no matter how small) to help add software to their hardware lineup. Their overall approach to VR, however, very much matches that of Facebook-Oculus; where WMR will be able to play Steam VR titles yet also maintain Exclusives through its own Store.
I'm not sure if it's worth the $200 investment yet, but that is a price-point that is certainly enticing! My only reservation is that by the time a true full AAA Halo VR game is released, MS will be on to Generation 2 of their headsets.
EDIT:
Adding the links for the products as of January 22, 2017:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B075PVLN2P
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B077R65C4D
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B077MF8TQ7
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0764GKZ15
https://vrawards.aixr.org/
"The Out-of-Home Immersive Entertainment Frontier: Expanding Interactive Boundaries in Leisure Facilities"
