Oculus Rift Release Date, Pre-Orders And Price; 'EVE: Valkyrie' Game Will be Along for the Ride

By Mark Rollins
The Oculus
The Oculus VR Headset. Oculus

This decade has brought about a new revival of Virtual Reality (VR), and one of the products that got people more interested in actual virtual reality since the nineties was the invention of the Oculus Rift.  This device is really going to kickstart an age of virtual reality, but so far, there hasn't really been any news on when the typical consumer can get their hands on one.  However, there has been some recent information by the inventor of the Oculus Rift himself as far as the release date, price, and the inclusion of the EVE: Valkyrie game. 

According to Ubergizmo, a consumer version of the Oculus Rift virtual reality headset will be launched in 2016.  The only thing that we do not have is the exact date.  This information comes from tweets by Palmer Luckey, the young inventor of the VR headset.   Who claims that "manufacturing continues to go well, and we are still on-target for an awesome Rift launch in Q1".  He also stated that "Preorders are coming soon after [the] new year.  Enjoy a stress-free holiday, we won't launch preorders without warning!"

So, this probably means that the Oculus Rift will be available for pickup sometime in the spring.  According to PC World, Oculus Rift has been sending VR headset hardware to devs in a final push to consumer launch.  The first units are shipping now, and they come packaged with Rift SDK 1.0 developer tools. 

Unfortunately, the information about the price still hasn't been made known as yet.  It was once suggested that the VR headset and a PC that can even run it might be $1,500, which would be out of the spending range of the typical consumer. 

In comparison, the Sony PlayStation VR will be priced at about the same price as the console, which is currently at about $300.  Considering that the Oculus Rift can only be used by one user, it does make it quite a costly solitary investment. 

As something for gaming, it certainly has a lot of applications.  iDigitalTimes reports that some who have managed to get their hands on an Oculus Rift have also got their hands on a demo of the space dogfighting game EVE: Valkyrie.  Not only that, it has been reported that a copy of EVE: Valkyrie will be included with every pre-order of the Oculus Rift headset.  EVE Online is a space simulation by CCP Games, and EVE: Valkyrie will put the players in a sci-fi adventure piloting a spaceship in search of combat. 

So it looks like 2016 will be the year for VR.  With the Oculus Rift coming out, as well as PlayStation VR, along with other competitors, there is going to be a lot that consumers can choose to experience an immersive environment. 

    Most Popular
  • Is 'The Last Supper' worth watching? Audience and critics weigh in

    Is 'The Last Supper' worth watching? Audience and critics weigh in

    Faith-based films often receive mixed reactions, and The Last Supper is no exception. The movie attempts to bring a fresh perspective to one of the most iconic moments in Christian history, but does it succeed? Some reviews from critics and audiences provide insight into its strengths and shortcomings.

  • ‘The Chosen’ Season 5: The darkest season yet—What to know before watching

    The wait is over—The Chosen is back with its fifth season, and this time, things are getting intense. The new episodes dive straight into the final days of Jesus’ life, covering some of the most emotional and dramatic moments in the Bible. If you’ve been following the series, you already know that The Chosen isn’t just about retelling familiar stories—it’s about bringing them to life in a way that feels real.

  • Massacres in Syria: Over 1,000 dead, including Christians and Alawites

    Syria’s coastal regions have been devastated by a series of massacres, with reports indicating that over 1,000 people—many from Christian and Alawite communities—have been killed in brutal attacks. Entire families have been wiped out, and survivors are fleeing in search of safety as sectarian violence escalates.

  • Kim Sae-ron and Wheesung: The tragic irony of Korean society and the principles of happiness

    Not long ago, the media was in an uproar over actress Kim Sae-ron’s passing. Just months before, the same people who had relentlessly criticized her for her DUI incident were now expressing sympathy, saying, "The world was too harsh on her." The irony is impossible to ignore.

  • Newsboys move forward as a quartet after Michael Tait’s departure

    After more than a decade as the lead singer of the Newsboys, Michael Tait has officially parted ways with the band, marking a significant shift in the Christian rock group’s lineup. The remaining members—Jeff Frankenstein, Jody Davis, Duncan Phillips, and Adam Agee—have assured fans that they will continue forward, embracing a new season of music and ministry.

Top Stories