Windows Mixed Reality Headsets Gain SteamVR Support, a Library of VR Games
by Anton Shilov on November 17, 2017 9:00 AM EST
When Microsoft introduced its Windows Mixed Reality platform for productivity and gaming earlier this year, it was clear that in order to make it competitive, the software giant would need to either create its own VR marketplace or gain compatibility with an existing one. This week Microsoft and Valve announced that Windows Mixed Reality headsets are now compatible with the SteamVR platform and therefore dozens of VR games.
Microsoft’s Windows Mixed Reality headsets will be available from multiple vendors, including Acer, ASUS, Dell, HP, Lenovo, Samsung and others for the price of $400 – $500 or so with controllers included. The head-mounted displays (HMDs) require a Windows 10 PC with the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update to operate as well as Steam with SteamVR and Windows Mixed Reality for SteamVR add-ons to access virtual reality games (there is a guide how to set everything up at Steampowered). At present, the WMR for SteamVR app is in Steam Preview stage, so it is not final with all the possible consequences.
Besides specific software, Windows Mixed Reality headsets require high-end hardware to play VR games. Officially, Microsoft has rather moderate requirements for its WMR platform (a quad-core Core i5 CPU, a GeForce GTX 960/1050 or similar GPU, etc.), but to play VR titles comfortably, Valve advices its WMR customers to use a considerably more powerful system featuring at least Intel’s quad-core Core i7 7700/7700K processor as well as NVIDIA’s GeForce GTX 1070 graphics card. Such requirements do not come completely unexpected. Windows Mixed Reality HMDs feature two 1440×1440 LCD panels (for a total resolution of 2880×1440) with a 90 Hz refresh rate and running modern games at a 2880×1440 resolution at 90 FPS or higher is a tough job for a GPU. Since different games have different requirements, it is obvious that far not all titles need a high-end video card, but it makes sense to keep the recommendations in mind.
| General Specifications of a Windows Mixed Reality Headset | |||
| Display | 2x LCD | ||
| Resolution | 2880x1440 (combined) 1440x1440 (per eye) |
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| Refresh Rate | 90 Hz | ||
| FOV | 95° | ||
| Sensors | Gyroscope: 6 degrees of freedom tracking Accelerometer Magnetometer Proximity |
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| Position Tracking | Inside-Out Camera (x2) | ||
| Audio | 3.5mm Audio Jack | ||
| Controls | Microsoft Motion Controllers | ||
| Launch Price | $400 - $500, depending on manufacturer, bundle, etc. | ||
At present, SteamVR has about 30 - 40 titles that support Microsoft’s Windows Mixed Reality HMDs, which is a lot more than Microsoft itself sells in its own online store. When compared to other VR platforms, WMR is considerably behind HTC’s Vive and Facebook’s Oculus Rift that support hundreds of titles, but keep in mind that both HMDs have been available for well over a year now. In any case, the number of games that support Microsoft's AR/VR headsets will grow over time as developers validate their titles for the new HMDs, so gaining Steam/SteamVR support is a big deal for the Windows Mixed Reality platform.
Related Reading:
- Dell’s Visor Available for Pre-Order: A Mixed Reality Headset, Ships in Mid-October
- Lenovo Immerses into Windows Mixed Reality with Lenovo Explorer
- ASUS Details HC102 Mixed Reality Headset for Windows
- Google I/O 2017: New AR/VR Experiences
- Oculus Announces Oculus Go: Untethered VR For $199 USD
- HTC Announces Standalone Vive Focus with 6DoF Tracking, Cancels Daydream VR Headsets
Source: Valve
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Flunk - Friday, November 17, 2017 - link
It's nice to see some standardization in this space. Soon, you will be able to buy one headset that will work with everything but Oculus-exclusive content. Standardization is something VR headsets sorely need.PeachNCream - Friday, November 17, 2017 - link
Yup, that whole thing with a program only working on one headset or another, but not all of them is a pretty big problem for developers and consumers. Microsoft is in a good position to set standards because their OS is so widely used. It's almost their responsibility to lead that charge so it's good to see MS actively participating by setting criteria.edzieba - Saturday, November 18, 2017 - link
"Standardization is something VR headsets sorely need."And it will come with OpenXR. Currently, your practical choices are between 3 different single-vendor closed-source* solutions.
*While the 'OpenVR' API is open, so is Windows Holographic and OVR. The actual implementation - SteamVR - is closed like the others.
Wolfpup - Friday, November 17, 2017 - link
These can be used for VR?!? I honestly didn't know that.How does the tech compares? Obviously a Microsoft backed set seems like a positive...
Surely this will end up working with Xbox One/X?
stephenbrooks - Friday, November 17, 2017 - link
I'm rather hoping there'll be an "Xbox One VR" or something coming down the pipe, which works with Microsoft's preferred headset. With a dedicated variant of the console they could optimise the whole setup's specs for VR performance.stephenbrooks - Friday, November 17, 2017 - link
(Not to say the headsets shouldn't work with the One X. The GPU in that appears just about powerful enough to run VR - I think a review here said about 11% faster than an RX 580)thomasdille - Friday, April 6, 2018 - link
I want this for my nba gaming.. is it possible? may be i think ;) http://nbalivemobilecheatshub.com/check-out-detail...George Allan - Monday, July 20, 2020 - link
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