91 replies to this topic

[blindpeser]

The first game that started the concept of VR games is Space Harrier 3D which used the Sega's VR-Powered Shades. The 2nd VR game that made it into the gaming world by Nintendo in 1995. The Nintendo's Virtual Boy achieved great financial success in the first quarter but slowly decline.

 
Dont forget Space Harrier 3d from Nintendo on the NES
 
Not real VR, 3D anaglyph but still 3D

The bot doesnt care.

[Gildahl]

Up until yesterday I regarded VR pinball as a novelty.  It was cool, but I preferred playing it on my arcade machine.  Recently I put together a new PC though (i9 13900K / RTX 4090), and just tried VP in VR tonight with my new Pimax Crystal and was shocked at just how good it is. With 4K per eye QLED panels and glass aspheric lenses having virtually edge-to-edge clarity, no glare, no SDE, no blur, and deep saturated colors, it might as well be the real thing.  This is my fourth VR headset (after the OG Vive, Valve Index, and Vive Pro 2), but this is unlike anything I've ever tried before.  Simply amazing!  

Edited by Gildahl, 10 September 2023 - 11:18 PM.

[Slydog43]

Nice to hear, the crystal is one of the few I don't have but do know a lot about it and it keeps getting better and better (it needed too).  I moved my old VR gpu to my mail rig and tried VR on it (3080)  Obviously I knew some data as I was using that GPU for VR VPX but I had never tried it also driving multiple screens (3 1080s 1 4k), worked fairly well still using the cab.  I need my friend to model my room to make it really insane.  But I do agree VR VPX is on the next level, I wish people could know how incredible it is without personally trying it, but that is VRs trouble, you can't see it in a video.  I want to hear more about  your experiences Gildahl

[wiesshund]

At $2400 for the complete thing, but not counting the PC, i would have to pass.

Nice but no

[Gildahl]

At $2400 for the complete thing, but not counting the PC, i would have to pass.

Nice but no

 

But still half the price of a new pinball machine, hehe  

[Gildahl]

Nice to hear, the crystal is one of the few I don't have but do know a lot about it and it keeps getting better and better (it needed too).  I moved my old VR gpu to my mail rig and tried VR on it (3080)  Obviously I knew some data as I was using that GPU for VR VPX but I had never tried it also driving multiple screens (3 1080s 1 4k), worked fairly well still using the cab.  I need my friend to model my room to make it really insane.  But I do agree VR VPX is on the next level, I wish people could know how incredible it is without personally trying it, but that is VRs trouble, you can't see it in a video.  I want to hear more about  your experiences Gildahl

 

Yeah, the way I ended up here is that after getting the Crystal I tried loading up a couple of old SteamVR pinball titles that I had used on my older headsets (Zaccaria Pinball and Pinball FX2 VR), but found that both of them had become unsupported and were simply crashing on me.  Then I remembered VPX and having experimented a long time ago with it when VR support was first added.  I was pleasantly surprised to find all the ready-for-VR rooms that were now available and immediately tried out 8-Ball and Aadams Family.  As I said before, simply stunning.  The thing that always bugged me about pinball in VR was only being able to see things in the foreground clearly, and how the view became progressively worse and unreadable further back on the playing field.  That tended to destroy the immersion for me.  Now, however, the entire play field is pretty much equally clear and sharp, and this makes a huge difference.  

[wiesshund]

 

At $2400 for the complete thing, but not counting the PC, i would have to pass.

Nice but no

 

But still half the price of a new pinball machine, hehe  

 

 

A Vpin? no, not for me anyways

A real Pin? that might be 15k depending on machine
or might be less

[Gildahl]

 

 

At $2400 for the complete thing, but not counting the PC, i would have to pass.

Nice but no

 

But still half the price of a new pinball machine, hehe  

 

 

A Vpin? no, not for me anyways

A real Pin? that might be 15k depending on machine
or might be less

 

 

Ok, six times as much.  Amazing how cheap high-end VR is these days!  

[wiesshund]

 

 

 

At $2400 for the complete thing, but not counting the PC, i would have to pass.

Nice but no

 

But still half the price of a new pinball machine, hehe  

 

 

A Vpin? no, not for me anyways

A real Pin? that might be 15k depending on machine
or might be less

 

 

Ok, six times as much.  Amazing how cheap high-end VR is these days!  

 

 

I am not quite sure a real pin counts here
On one hand, they put anything virtual to great shame.

On the other hand, for all practical purposes, you are limited to one table per machine.

[thomas123]

I also add my humble opinion:

 

I have a full size cabinet with 4k playfield, 4k backscreen and real DMD and about 300 of the latest table updates running. Playing with one or two visitors is a lot of fun, because the ones not currently playing can easily follow the game.

 

At the same time I have a Pimax 8kx setup in another room with a physical frontend (KL25Z, real plunger and buttons) with VPX and 130 VR tables, surround sound, and a second 32' 4k monitor in portrait orientation to mirror the VR view. When playing alone, I play in VR. With a guest, it is cumbersome to replace the headset after every ball. And the VR-view on the monitor is moving with the movement of the headset. Thus, it is not as easy to follow a game as it is on the cabinet. Nevertheless, my guest and myself nost of the time choose to play in VR, because a 3D playfield is so much more impressive that it outweighs the drawbacks. I ordered a Pimax Crystal in mid July, but am still waiting for it to be sent. That will be another step forward.

 

To conclude, I would recommend VR, if the higher costs (better GPU and additional headset) is not a showstopper. And definitely go for the best resolution you can afford. I tried Pimax 5k+ and Pico4. 4k panels are a big plus...

 

In my opinion an optimum would be a cabinet with SSF or DOF that supports VR output in addition to the cabinet screens and DMD. This would allow a headset for the player (ideally something light as the Bigscreen Beyond). Any spectators could follow the game on the cabinet playfield. Unfortunately, the current VPX 10.8 beta does not support such a mode. This is no criticism. The current state of VPX is fantastic and well beyond any commercial software. Many thanks to Niwak and all other contributors...

[Gravy]

I am not quite sure a real pin counts here

On one hand, they put anything virtual to great shame.

On the other hand, for all practical purposes, you are limited to one table per machine.

 

There is the Multimorphic Pinball with interchangeable themes https://www.multimorphic.com/

[nromo]

Well, I have 150 VPX VR tables installed now. I don't even play in pancake mode on my 3 display setup unless it's multiplayer. VR is that awesome!!  I got the SSF and DOF working in VR. DOF controls the real Stern shaker motor and flipper contactors, not just lighting, so it matters. I can't recommend a real shaker enough! And all this in my stubby cab. I'll post pics soon. VR is the future of pinball IMO as I can't imagine how it can't be. But you need both as multiplayer is not practical for VR,

Edited by nromo, 08 April 2024 - 05:50 PM.