Virtual reality is a term used to describe any environment that is computer generated and can be interacted with by a person. It’s almost the same as reality because you can interact with objects and determine what goes on, but different because it is simulated, i.e not real.
VR is believable because it’s three-dimensional and immersive, immersion being the characteristic of VR that makes it believable. Virtual Reality is deeply engaging, shutting out your physical surroundings.
Virtual reality has a lot of applications, most of which are for entertainment purposes such as video games, sports, 3D cinema, social virtual lifestyle and other purposes like education (distant learning), training programs for doctors, military men, engineers, aviation, amongst others.
In this article, we’ll be guiding you through VR games and how to have the best experience.
What Are Virtual Reality Games?
Well, it turns out that the younger generation is beginning to fancy VR games, are you looking to know more about VR games, how they’re played, the tech behind them, and the experience you’ll get playing them? Sit tight, you’re in for an adventurous trip.
Virtual Reality games are video games played on VR hardware, with one or more controllers and a VR headset that displays right in front of the user’s eyes in two separate images to simulate a 3D experience. You’re probably thinking, “will I still be able to see the outside environment?” No, you won’t, and that’s because VR headsets are designed to cut off any attraction from your surroundings, not even if you try, except you take them off, it’s like your eyes are fastened only on the game you’re playing.
For an improved experience, audio aids and motion sensors are fixed on the headset or within the room you’re playing the game, this makes the game far more engaging than any other type of game you’ve ever played.
What Do You Need To Play A VR Game?
VR Headset
This is definitely the most important, there’s no way you can play a VR game without using a VR headset that looks like a pair of goggles. You wear them over your eyes.
Since there are different media to play VR games ranging from your PC to your laptop, to console and even your smartphone, yes, your smartphone (that would be discussed later on), there arises the need for different versions of a VR headset (for compatibility) with quite noticeable differences.
VR games headsets come in three different categories, smartphones, PCs, and Standalones.
Smartphone VR Headset
Mobile VR headsets are the cheapest headsets, usually below $60, they work with your mobile phone. They have a shell right in front of the headset where you could slot in your mobile phone. The shell has lenses that divide your phone screen into two images for your eyes.
Smartphones don’t offer the same VR gaming experience as PCs because you can not look behind or around objects, this is the downside of smartphone VR headsets. Although they give you an insight into the world of VR gaming.
PC VR Headsets
These offer the best available experience for VR games, because of their maximum immersive gameplay feature. Generally, tethered headsets offer a better experience with minimal risk of nausea, dizziness, or vomiting.
Technically, higher prices equal higher performance.
The cons include:
- Dealing with a lot of cables and wires requiring being extra careful, also they really do restrict movement
- Price range, as you’ll purchase headsets and a suitable PC or laptop to go with it.
These PC VR headsets are worth it; the PlayStation VR by Sony which is tethered to a console, Oculus rift, and the Vive cosmos.
Standalone VR Headsets
Do you like the idea of portability? This VR headset is a must-have for you then. Wireless (though not all, as some PCs beam signals wirelessly), it is most suitable for traveling, you can also take it wherever you go and have fun game nights with your friends.
They allow for easy movement when playing. Standalones can operate on their own, rather than as an accessory for other devices. They are independent with built-in functions.
The best standalone gear by a mile is the Oculus Quest 2.
Controllers
Yes, controllers!!! Most headsets are controlled with hand controllers embedded with motion sensors, these are held with the hands, there are tons of various types, but we’ll recommend the LINK iMotion and STEM system. Although most headsets come with their controllers.
Space
Not only do you need a VR headset, but you do also need a lot of free space because VR games make it look like you’re in the game, so any movement you’ll be doing when playing the game will be replicated in reality and that’s definitely a lot of movements.
You now realize you need a lot of space to play your VR games, you could use any free portion of your living room or garage. It could even be fun to play it outdoors under the watchful eyes of others.
Yes, watchful eyes, I know a couple of friends who played a prank on their unsuspecting mother, she was given stand-alone VR glasses while she was sitting, it was her first time seeing them, she got a jolt from the experience and fell off the chair, though without any serious injuries.
As funny as it was, it stresses the need for adequate supervision when first-timers or inexperienced gamers want to play a VR game.
Choosing The Perfect Laptop
The best laptop to have the best VR gaming experience is one with high-quality graphics such as the Acer predator Triton 300. Laptops with top-notch graphic cards or video cards make an excellent option, how do you identify the perfect high-end laptop for you? It must possess at least:
- A GTX 1060 graphic card. This is responsible for the image quality and refresh rate (the speed at which images appear when you move your head) which has to be 90 frames per second (fps). Anything lower than that will give you a nauseating session plagued with dizziness and motion sickness.
- An Intel Core i5 processor. Most computers are equipped with integrated processors, these will not be able to support VR games, you, therefore, need a dedicated microprocessor to get the ultimate VR experience.
- 8GB RAM of storage depending on the headsets you’re using. We’ll also recommend that you pair up a 512GB solid-state drive and a 1TB hard drive.
- Three USB ports for display, depending on the model of VR glasses This is where you’ll connect the VR glasses to and a 3.0 USB port is advisable.
All of this probably means you would have to spend at least a few hundreds of dollars less than $1,000 for a gaming laptop, while the most recent laptops are in the range of $1,000-$1,500, it will get you a processor of at least GeForce GTX 1660 Ti.
Most importantly of all, note that one laptop could work fine with a particular headset and not for another type, so when buying a laptop, check for its compatibility with your VR headsets.
HOW ARE VIRTUAL REALITY GAMES PLAYED!!!
Standard VR games are made as realistic as possible by advanced technology, ever wondered why while you were playing a Zombie VR game, you felt the zombie touch you or Assetto Corsa driving game and you felt the force feedback as you hit the car in front, that’s thanks to haptic or tactile technology.
Virtually all VR headsets come with integrated audio systems although the PlayStation VR doesn’t and you’ll have to make do with your headphones.
One of the major reasons why I love VR games aside its thrilling experience is the ease at which anyone could play them. It doesn’t require any form of expertise to either set up or play, just get your game, get your VR gear, fix it up according to its instructions and voilà!! You’re ready to have fun with your gadgets.
WHERE TO GET VIRTUAL REALITY GAMES
VR games can usually be gotten from the device itself, as they have app stores like the Play store for Android and IOS store for iPhones. A few though can be gotten from online browsers such as the oculus and steam store.
So we’ll be picking the very best VR games, most of which are PC supported, to give your eyeballs a deserving treat.
Here are our top picks for VR games in 2021:
- Iron Man
- pistol Whip
- half life alyx
- walking deadvr
- Assetto Corsa
- Star Trek: The Bridge Crew
- Beat Saber
CAN YOU PLAY A VR GAME ON YOUR SMARTPHONE?
The answer is yes, it’s actually very simple, you start the game on your phone and slip it in a space in front of the headset, put on the headset and you’ll be able to enjoy the game.
The most popular smartphone-compatible VR headsets are the Google Daydream View 2, The LG 360 VR, the Samsung Gear VR, The Homido Grab VR, and the Merge VR headset.
Let’s take a quick look at the best VR-compatible smartphones: Samsung Galaxy S10 series which include Samsung Galaxy S10 Plus, Samsung Galaxy S10 5G, Samsung Galaxy S10, Samsung Galaxy note 9, Google pixel 5 and the Google pixel 3 XL.
CONCLUSION
Peradventure, you might want to get on the VR gaming train and own a form of VR in 2021 even if you’re on a budget, it’s still okay, your best bet is a standalone VR gear and the Oculus Quest 2 is just about the perfect choice. Virtual Reality games are the next big thing in the world of gaming providing users with an enchanting experience at a low cost. With a promising future, increased accessibility, availability, and portability they’ll be around the globe in no time.
