When comparing Oculus Rift vs Playstation VR, the Slant community recommends Oculus Rift for most people. In the question“What are the best VR headsets?” Oculus Rift is ranked 2nd while Playstation VR is ranked 3rd. The most important reason people chose Oculus Rift is:
The built in USB hub allows for other devices to be plugged in for power and communication. This means the user can extend the function of the Rift through extra peripherals that work alongside it such as the [Leap Motion](http://www.slant.co/topics/5356/~rift-games-with-leap-motion-controller-support).
Specs
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Pros
Pro Easily extensible through built in USB port
The built in USB hub allows for other devices to be plugged in for power and communication. This means the user can extend the function of the Rift through extra peripherals that work alongside it such as the Leap Motion.
Pro Easy to adjust lens distance
There's a dial at the base of the unit that can be used to adjust lens distance. This helps focus on the display, which is essential for best text clarity. Being that everyone's eyes are different, this greatly helps to make for an experience that anyone can enjoy with clear visuals.
Pro Easily use the headphones you prefer
The headphones the device comes with are detachable, this means you can use your own headphones if you prefer their fit/quality.
Pro Out-of-the-box game engine integrations for developers
Rift integrates with Unreal Development Kit, Unreal Engine 4, and Unity 4 without any workarounds, which makes it easier for developers to create games for Oculus Rift.
Pro Familiar experience of playing games
For those used to the traditional way of playing video games, using a controller and sitting in a chair, the Rift should feel quite familiar. It does offer a virtual reality experience through what you view, with some tracking interactions, but mainly it is much like playing a traditional console or PC game where you are viewing the game on a screen (directly in front of your face of course) and controlling the game with a gamepad or keyboard and mouse.
This should appeal to those that would like to experience VR gaming but do not want to compromise on their traditional control methods or afford the room for gaming that takes place standing and walking around ones room (such as the Vive).
A slight evolution on traditional gaming without being too unfamiliar in control or setup.
Although true, touch controllers are still the main control method for most games.
Pro Comfortable fit and easy setup
The Oculus Rift is designed with user comfort in mind, featuring adjustable straps and built-in headphones for a snug and secure fit. Setting up the headset is also straightforward, with clear instructions, making it accessible to users of all skill levels.
Pro Vast library of games and experiences
The Oculus Rift offers a wide range of games and experiences to suit different preferences, from action-packed first-person shooters to captivating puzzle games. With a diverse and constantly expanding library of content, there's always something new and exciting to try, keeping players entertained for hours on end.
Pro Immersive gaming experience
The Oculus Rift provides an unparalleled level of immersion, with stunning visuals, 360-degree tracking, and intuitive controls. The realistic graphics and vibrant colors transport players to another world, making them feel like they are truly inside the game.
Pro Ability to control and improve ones VR viewing with a built-in latency tester
Being able to test for latency and adjust accordingly can help improve the experience of play. This tester uses a real-time microsecond precision measurement of motion-to-photon latency, which can help optimize the latency being experienced in order to cut down on delays of movement to visual interpretation. Basically as you move your head to look around, there will be a delay of information as it has to first be transmitted to the PC that you moved, then the correct info has to be sent back to the display in order to show this movement in an accurate and believable way. The longer the delay the less real the VR experience with a side effect of causing motion sickness. Having a tool to adjust this can be beneficial in getting as close to a real world VR viewing experience.
Pro Works natively with Windows 10
Windows 10 supports streaming of XBox One games to any Windows 10 PC. With the native Oculus support built in, this means the user can also stream XBox One games to the Rift as well. While VR will not be supported in those games due to the fact they were not made for it, you can still experience those games on the Rift screen making for a large viewing area thanks to how close the screens are to ones eyes.
Pro Freedom to use any up to spec PC components
This device is driven by any desktop PC, providing it run the Oculus SDK. This hardware agnosticism makes is positive because of the freedom it provides to both consumer and developer. No matter the PC components being used, as long as they are up to the Rifts specs, the device will work.
Pro Runs great
Started with original ps4. Later upgraded to pro. small difference not enough to warrant a upgrade out of necessity
Pro Natural controller interaction
Project Morpheus is designed to be used with PlayStation Move controllers. Move controllers are motion-sensing, thus it represents hand movements in-game more naturally. This allows for more immersive interactions with the virtual world.
Pro Light face contact allows for comfortable play sessions
The design of the device allows for most of the pressure when wearing to be placed on the top of the head meaning there is little contact and pressure on ones face. This helps to keep it comfortable to wear for extended periods.
Pro Headset will not steam up with prolonged use
There is ventilation built into the unit so that when the user gets sweaty, the device will not fog up on the inside. This also is good for the electronics in the device such as the screens, as moisture in them may cause them to break or malfunction.
Pro Can be used relatively comfortably with glasses
There is enough room in the device to afford the wearer room to wear glasses while the device is on. This way those that do not use contacts are still able to use the device.
Cons
Con Dropped GNU/Linux and OSX support
After Facebook partnered with Microsoft, Oculus dropped support for both GNU/Linux and OSX operating systems. While they are small markets, it is sad to see a company with enough funds to support them decide that they are not worth the support at this time.
Con Exclusive games for the Rift
Could be seen as a pro but this could be bad for the whole VR market because it could turn into console wars for VR, instead of a brand of monitor like it should be. Imagine Asus monitor exclusives. Timed exclusives as well as Rift platform exclusives that never leave the ecosystem leaves other players with other headsets out, something that has not been an issue for PC games (only PC games, not console to PC games obviously) before this, which is one of the major reason enjoy PC gaming.
Con Limited game availability due to a proprietary store
You can only officially get software and games from their official store. This can limit competition for pricing and availability, thus artificially creating scarcity for their platform.
You can purchase games from Steam as well, but the games purchased in each store can't be seen in the other. Why fragment the market and user experience?
This is something already seen on digital stores that lock content to one platform such as Nintendo's, Sony's, and Microsoft's. Through limiting competition on where you can purchase digital goods, prices tend to never fall that much, seeing years old games that still sell at full release prices more often than one would think.
While it is still early to know for sure what route Facebook will take, keeping titles expensive for long swaths of time or allowing prices to degrade in a natural fashion due to age, their current track record for honesty in their endeavours leans more towards locked down expensive content.
Con The installer requires SSE 4.2 on your CPU to be able to install but this is not mentioned anywhere in the specs
Con Potential for motion sickness
While the Oculus Rift's tracking is generally smooth and responsive, some users may experience motion sickness or discomfort, particularly during intense or fast-paced games. This can be a downside for those who are prone to motion sickness, and it's important to be aware of this potential issue before purchasing the headset.
Con Requires high end computer components
Video card requirements: nVidia GTX 970 or AMD R9 290 (or greater)
CPU: Intel i5-4590 (or greater)
RAM: 8GB (or greater)
These specs will limit the number of users that will be able to use the Rift, as a compatible computer may add to the already high $600 price tag.
For a totally smooth experience an nVidia GTX 1070 or an AMD R9 Fury would be recommended. $400USD+ cards!
Con PlayStation 4 only
So far the only platform confirmed for the headset is PS4. There has been no information if the device will be backwards compatible once the PS4 life cycle is done or if it has the potential to work on PC.
Con Resolution limits immersive experience
Due to the screen being so close to your face, the 1080p display is not enough for creating a clear picture. The pixelation is enough to remind you that you've got screens strapped to your face.