Preview: A Look at Oculus' Offerings for 2017

A few weeks back I was invited to a private preview event hosted by Oculus and as you can imagine, the focus was not only on the advancement of VR technology, but more importantly what Oculus were bringing to the table in 2017 in terms of content.

The technology being showcased was the Oculus Rift, Oculus Touch and Samsung Gear VR. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to get a look in on the Samsung Gear VR, however for the previous two, there were two games I was able to get a significant amount of time on.

I've always believed that within the gaming space, one of the greatest strengths VR has is the ability to recreate and represent gameplay that we've probably seen in thousands of titles today, but in a completely new and intriguing way.

One great example of this is Brass Tactics - A classic RTS completely re-imagined for the world of Virtual Reality. Developed by Hidden Path Entertainment, Brass Tactics makes use of the functionality of both the Rift and Touch, putting a new spin on a classic genre. Gone is the screen cluttering UI and complicated menu of other RTS titles and in their place is an intuitive new way to play while still giving you full control over all the gameplay mechanics such as commanding your forces, viewing the map and training new soldiers.

Now I'll admit that I'm not the biggest fan of the RTS genre, but this new take on it makes me want to dive right back in. The simplicity of Brass Tactics made for a truly immersive experience. Not only was it easy to pick up and play for beginners, it allowed for fans of the genre to employ deeper tactics and really feel like they're there in the fray.

Another game I played was a simple three point Basketball shooter, where I was against the clock and had to sink as many three pointers as I could. The Basketball court is set in a stadium full of screaming fans, so.....no pressure right? Here, the Rift is used to bring this virtual world to life, with the Touch' only purpose enabling you to pick up basketballs and throw them into the hoops.

Now, before you say anything, no you don't actually throw the touch itself as we witnessed it slightly fly out of one individual's hands. You grasp the basketball using a grip on the back, releasing it as you make each shot. I got so into it that I couldn't help but find myself making small hops in the real world as I tried to score as many points possible.

There were many other titles showcased, which unfortunately I didn't have time to see, such as Rock Band VR, Blade & Soul and ARTIKA.1 (which not only placed you into different environments, each offering different experiences, with the most notable area being one you can physically move around in).

It's no secret that VR is on the rise and as it steps through the doors of the gaming industry, it won't just step through them.....it'll kick them down entirely. The potential here is huge and Oculus are surely showcasing that with their incredibly strong lineup which they've prepared for the platform.

Once again, VR is definitely improving and it looks like Oculus are leading the way. In all honesty, I have been personally holding back on purchasing any VR products until I found one that could give me a truly unforgettable experience and I guess no longer need to look any further.

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