ANTVR kit (image courtesy of Kickstarter & ANTVR)
Gamers, hold onto your hats. The first universal all-in-one virtual reality kit is getting ready to hit mass production. Meet the ANTVR kit – an open-source, universal gaming kit that brings virtual reality to life right before your eyes.
The ANTVR kit models itself after the Oculus Rift and Sony’s Project Morpheus, with a unique twist. The aforementioned sets are proprietary and only compatible with one console. What’s more, these gaming kits are only functional with a handful of games. ANTVR Technology decided to capitalize on the gap in the marketplace to create their very own kit that works with all major gaming platforms and both two-and three-dimensional games.
ANTVR kit (image courtesy of Kickstarter & ANTVR)
The kit is comprised of both a virtual reality headset and controller, both of which are super badass. The controller is a low-key Autobot, transforming into a gun, steering wheel, light saber, wireless joystick, game pad or sensor to monitor its locale. It is powered by a combo USB/Bluetooth module, which can be updated as new software and games become available. And that’s not all folks.
The headset features a 1920x1080 full HD, 100-degree display and aspherical lens, which was specifically designed to decrease the risk of dizziness and disorientation while gaming. Are you blind as a bat? Never fear; prescription lenses are here! The headset also features small windows beneath the lenses that can be opened and closed to allow users to see the outside world, without removing their headsets. And unlike other VR headsets, the ANTVR features one-step character control, minimizing the amount of blind walking (and thus reducing the risk of disorientation).
Starting to make the $2billion purchase of Oculus Rift seem silly.
ANTVR headset glance windows (image courtesy of Kickstarter & ANTVR)
To control an avatar, gamers need only move one step in the direction of their choice. If they take one step forward, the avatar will be prompted to walk and will continue to do so until the gamer takes one step backwards, indicating a stop. Gamers can also control the position of their avatars by squatting and/or jumping during game time, which (of course) prompts the avatar to do the same.
The kit is compatible with just about every mainstream gaming platform available, including PC, Xbox and PlayStation. The kit, which connects via HDMI cable, is also compatible with any device that supports an HDMI connection, including tablets, cellular phones, laptop computers, desktop computers and Blu-ray players. HDMI adapters are also supported.
Let’s not forget to touch on open source. The ANTVR team is determined for its product to be an all-in-one, universal gaming kit. Although the current unit is already compatible with mobile games (like Candy Crush), stereoscopic 3D games, non-stereoscopic 3D games and 2D games, the ANTVR team believes that is not enough. Developers are welcome to customize the kit, making it compatible with other consoles, develop new games and even make the VR experience hands-free.
ANTVR headset depicted with possible uses (image courtesy of Kickstarter & ANTVR)
ANTVR recently launched on Kickstarter and the campaign has been wildly successful. The campaign has raised 100% of the goal, $200,000. There is plenty of time to jump in on this tech. The final product is expected to ship to supporters as early as September.
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