WMR Headset prices cut in half on Amazon

[Zenbane]

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.

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

Note that I'm posting this for informational purposes and constructive analysis (there's no need for console-war style rhetoric).

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

[KlodsBrik]

This article does say the prices are dropped, or are to be dropped ?
 https://uploadvr.com/windows-vr-headsets-amazon/

[danknugz]

no one wants these useless pieces of crap

[Zenbane]

Quick update,

Microsoft is now going through an "org change" and putting some heavier focus on their Mixed Reality platform:

The most interesting moves appear to be the creation of a new Mixed
Reality Studio focused on "Mixed Reality in the Modern Workplace," and
the combination of Microsoft's Every Day Magic (EDM) and Evoke studios.
EDM is responsible for Paint 3D, Remix3D, Mixed Reality Viewer, and
development of apps across mixed, virtual, and augmented reality. The
Evoke team is behind the Photos and Videos app. The combined groups will
now report to Chris Pratley, who is a notable figure within Microsoft
for his work on OneNote and Sway.

https://www.windowscentral.com/latest-microsoft-reorganization-reportedly-focuses-mixed-reality-push


One day everything people use Microsoft for at the workplace will be done in VR/AR (at least that's their goal). It all begins with moving a few departments around.

[Zenbane]

Hiro_Protag0nist said:
As was said on here in the years 2014 - 2016 - bad VR is the worst thing that can happen to VR.

And, it's 2 million who tell their friends that VR isn't quite there yet...

Today I read an article that attempts to review Skyrim VR. It gave it 1.5 out of 5 stars:
http://www.avengervr.com/virtual-reality-skyrim-review/

I bring this up not to initiate talk smack about any "Rift competition," but to point out something that you referred to regarding how people will judge all of VR based on one bad experience.

From the article:

This is the part where I say great things about virtual reality Skyrim, but I honestly have nothing great to say, and if you follow that link that I put out above, you’re going to realize that virtual reality has a long ways to go.

I'm a fan of the Elder Scrolls genre, I posted this pic back in 2016:



https://forums.oculusvr.com/community/discussion/comment/402944#Comment_402944


I have also been tempted to invest in Sony's PSVR lately due to some of their exclusives. However, if this article does hint at an overwhelming consensus that Skyrim VR really is that "low quality" of a VR experience... then due to the hype and overall expectation that comes from Elder Scrolls, this is just another point against VR overall.

The consumer sentiment would be even worse if any WMR users play this with their sub par headsets lol