You could always go to a race track, but it’s rather cost and time prohibitive, which makes it difficult to attend more than a few times a year.

Enter video games and virtual reality (VR). With recent advancements in game graphics and the falling prices of VR equipment, achieving total immersion has never been easier.

Getting a sneak peek of #ProjectCars2 at CXC Simulations’ #VR Racing Night!

A post shared by Andrew Chen (@lagraffiti) on Apr 6, 2017 at 9:45pm PDT

CXC Simulations, a leading manufacturer of racing simulators, recently hosted a night of VR racing at their headquarters in El Segundo, California where guests strapped into a motion-based simulator to get a sneak peek at the upcoming game Project Cars 2.

Utilizing an Oculus Rift and CXC’s Motion Pro II simulator, I was transported to the Streets of Long Beach, the race course that’s currently set up just 45 minutes away for the weekend’s Long Beach Grand Prix. This legendary track was laser- and drone-scanned by the team at Project Cars 2, and the accuracy and level of detail is amazing.

When the green flag dropped, I was thrown back into my seat as the virtual Honda-powered INDYCAR rocketed off the line. The Motion Pro II system simulates quick g-force changes with force-feedback components and a unique tension-based design that lets you experience the excitement of acceleration, gear changes, and fast corners.

Of course, this is an example of the ultimate setup, and with a starting price of $49,000, it’s not for everyone. But if you have already have a next-gen gaming console or a gaming PC, adding virtual reality capabilities will run you between $500 to $800 depending on your brand of choice — that’s a whole lot cheaper than replacing your brakes and tires after a weekend at the track.

Many professional drivers currently use video games to train throughout the year or to learn new tracks — the gap between casual video game and professional simulator is quickly closing thanks to the amazing work put into products like Project Cars 2, Gran Turismo, and Forza.

If you’ve never experienced racing in VR, I highly recommend trying it out. A simple headset can transport you inside of your favorite car and to a race track anywhere in the world.

The post Drivin’ L.A. with Andrew Chen: Virtual Reality Racing appeared first on FactoryTwoFour.

After multiple test runs with different VR devices, I can safely break down the VR categories into digestible bites. Let’s dig in.

The Hobbyist

If you’re looking for a simple escape from reality or to kick back in your own virtual home theater, check out the new Google Daydream View. Priced at a very reasonable $49.00, this is a great introductory foray into virtual reality.

Made from breathable fabric, this headset is relatively comfortable to wear and looks the least clunky, but there have been complaints about light leakage through the sides of the device. Attach your 5 inch or 5.5 inch Google Pixel smartphone into the slot on the front of the View and connect to the headset via NFC, or Near Field Connection. Once connected, use the provided remote to navigate through the Android companion app. Download compatible games or search for other apps like Netflix VR and Youtube VR.

Keep in mind, this headset only works for Google’s Pixel phone lineup and has a limited compatible app library. However, VR is becoming a larger and larger focus for Google, so be on the lookout for massive increase in compatible apps for this device.

The Enthusiast

With a much larger compatible app library and a more secure fit, the Samsung Gear VR is the next step up at a reasonable $99.99.

Working at Car-Tel Communications, an Authorized AT&T Retailer, and owning a Samsung Galaxy S6, the Gear VR is the headset I have the most experience with. Compatible with the Samsung Galaxy lineup starting with the S5 through the S7 Edge, the Gear VR is the most widely applicable virtual reality headset on the market.

The Gear VR fits snugly against any size head, allowing little to no light to leak through the sides. Although it comes with a trackpad and clickable buttons built into the side of the device, any serious mobile gamer should purchase an external Bluetooth controller to get the full experience the Gear VR has to offer.

Connect your compatible Galaxy device via micro USB and clip it to the front of the Gear VR. Once you select your app, whether it be Netflix VR or GunJack, make sure you sit down; I’ve personally seen one or two customers fall over within a few seconds.

The Gamer

For the casual gamer looking for a new challenge, the PS VR was made for you. Unlike the Google Daydream View or the Gear VR, we are now in the tethered virtual reality sector. Video processing has now moved from the headset to a stand-alone computer, or in this case a Playstation 4.

If you don’t already own a PS4, the grand total comes to about $1000 for a 500GB PS4 and the PS VR Launch Bundle, which comes with the headset, VR controllers, the Playstation camera, and the VR Worlds game.

With the higher price-tag comes a much better experience. The total resolution of the PS VR is 1920×1080, or 960×1080 per eye, so right off the bat you are getting a much higher resolution than any virtual reality experience that a cellphone can provide. Playstation also provides more mainstream VR titles like Ace Combat, Batman Arkham VR, Resident Evil 7, and Gran Turismo. These are not simply older games played on a VR headset; all of these games have been optimized for the PS VR system so you can expect seamless integration with the sight, sounds, and controls offered by the PS VR.

The Zealot

For those accustomed to bottles of Mountain Dew, gaming sessions that last till dawn, and “Rigs” that run so hot they need to be water cooled, the Oculus Rift or the HTC Vive are the top of the line Virtual Reality headsets on the market today.

If you are looking to venture into this space, be warned, you need a serious gaming computer to play these games how they were meant to be played. I own an Asus ROG with a 2.6Ghz Core i7, a Nvidia GeForce GTX 965M GPU, and 16.0 GB of RAM and I don’t even meet the lowest benchmark for Steam’s HTC Vive or the Oculus Rift. Before you buy, run a diagnostics check through Steam or download the diagnostics program on Oculus’ website.

If your Rig is up to snuff, then you probably don’t need my two cents, but for those who are thinking about making the $1500 to $2000 investment in a quality gaming computer plus a HTC Vive or Oculus Rift there are a few differences you should know about. Both have 2,160×1200 OLED resolution, 90Hz refresh rate, and 110 degree viewing angle. The main difference comes in the software and sensors. The Vive spouts 37 sensors and a front facing camera providing a Chaperone feature that outlines potential hazards in your physical space within the virtual reality (like the Matrix, but blue!) What the Oculus lacks in sensors it makes up for in games with a 53 and counting VR compatible game library.

Personally, I am waiting for the next generation of virtual reality devices to come out. The available headsets are either too expensive, too clunky, or rely on my phone (which is not quite there in terms of the pixel density for me.) I’m willing to wait and see what comes next, because I have a feeling that the next generation of VR will make us question the nature of our reality.

The post The Do’s and Don’ts of VR: A Virtual Reality Breakdown appeared first on FactoryTwoFour.