What Are Standalone VR Headsets And How Will They Change Gameplay?

Virtual reality technology has gained a lot of popularity during the past year, but the technology is yet to gain the level of popularity of augmented reality or AI. Currently, its main audience consists of gamers, who need to depend either on a docked smartphone or attached PC to play games in virtual reality.

The advent of standalone VR headsets might change virtual reality game play. Standalone VR headsets are self-sufficient headsets, which do not need to depend on an external device for VR input. These headsets have all the hardware built-in and can easily function using existing software. VR headsets such as the new Vive headset, recently launched in China rely on mobile processors such as the Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 for supporting VR gameplay.

What is important to note is that the VR gaming experience might function better since many standalone headsets are expected to use eye-tracking technology which will concentrate the quality of VR in the user’s field of vision, improving gameplay. Samsung, Facebook and Google have invested in the technology and are expected to launch VR headsets by the end of the year.

Read: HTC Announces Standalone Vive VR Headset Exclusively For Chinese Markets

Since these devices will not use a secondary display, most companies making VR headsets are expected to endow their VR headsets with inbuilt displays, which will be superior in comparison to ones on smartphones used with VR headset currently, especially since these will be made according to VR gaming needs.

One of the biggest advantages of a wireless VR experience provided by standalone VR headsets is that it makes the gameplay feel more real as the player is not constricted by wires nor restrained by a docked in device. It also makes for a cheaper gaming setup as instead of investing in a high-end PC and VR setup, all players will need is to invest in a VR headset. This means that more users will be able to afford virtual reality game play, which means that the technology can gain better popularity even among gamers who can’t afford or aren’t interested in high-end gameplay.

It also allows VR headset makers to create VR experiences customized to their specific VR headsets, which means that headset makers such as Google and HTC can create their own VR platforms and offer these experiences to users.

Not just that, headset makers will also be able to provide users with accompanying devices such as controllers, which might also be wireless and feature hand-tracking technology, which will track a user’s hand movement and create the accompanying experience in VR.

Read: Samsung Gear VR Replacement ExynosVR 3 Standalone Headset: 5 Features To Know

So, eye-tracking in the headset and hand tracking in the controller will help create a more responsive VR environment, resulting in more engaging gameplay.

HTC has become the first mover among VR companies by launching its new Vive headset in China. Chances are that this might provide it an edge over other companies invested in the technology.