Even though the CES, considered the world’s greatest technology convention, isn’t particulary about gaming, there were many innovations that would shape the future of gaming and interactive media.
This year we have compiled a number of prominent names from the virtual reality scene:
HTC Vive Pro
HTC’s new virtual reality headgear Vive Pro has been redesigned to house a 78% higher resolution (2880 x 1600) screen than the previous model and to be more ergonomic. Price and release date are not disclosed.
In addition to the headline, HTC has introduced a wireless adapter that was developed in conjunction with Intel and will enable headgear to be used wirelessly. The adapter, which will be available in the third quarter of this year, would also be used on the previous model of the headgear as well as the new Vive Pro.
LooxidVR
LooxidVR, the most innovative product of the show, is another virtual reality headgear. The headpiece tracks the eye movements and brain signals to provide a better and depper experience.
Available February 1st, the LooxidVR couldn’t catch the all-in-one train. Unlike the next generation virtual reality headsets, LooxidVR does not work without a smartphone.
Oculus Go ve Mi VR
Oculus, Chinese tech giant Xiaomi and Qualcomm have collaborated to offer a new virtual reality headset worldwide.
Xiaomi will produce the Oculus Go headset for Oculus, the new all-in-one mobile VR gear. Oculus will not enter the Chinese market but sell Mi VR, which is the same as Go, in China. Both devices have Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 821 processor.
Lenovo Mirage Solo
Oculus Go’s competitor is Lenovo’s all-in-one mobile VR device. Lenovo Mirage Solo is the first independent headgear to work with the Android’s real-time VR adaptation DayDream software.
Mirage Solo, which can run applications developed for the DayDream platform, offers 2560 x 1440 resolution. While it is announced that the device will be on sale in the second quarter, there are conflicting news about its price.
Blade Runner: Revelations
Google and Alcon Media are developing a new Blade Runner game for Lenovo’s virtual reality device. Blade Runner: Revelations will be the first game to use Google’s new position tracking system, WorldSense. The game is expected to be released alongside Mirage Solo.
Intel Volümetrik Yakalama Teknolojisi
Another company that focuses on virtual reality this year is Intel. The new volumetric capture technology introduced by the company makes it possible for 360-degree videos to have a more realistic sense of depth and to interact with virtual spaces and contents in different ways.
Volumetric capture plays a key role in the widespread use of 360 degree videos. Without this technology, virtual reality experiences are always one step away from true realism.
SteelSeries VR Kapı Zili
SteelSeries, a manufacturer of gaming equipment, wants to ensure that VR players will keep their connection with the real world with a concept that they have developed. The concept works as follows: The Bluetooth Low Energy protocol transmits the signals from the motion sensor to the head, transmitting the movements and voices in the surroundings as a warning to the player.
The titles that provide fully-inclusive experiences such as HTC Vive Pro and Sony PS VR make the players completely isolated from the real world during the VR experience. SteelSeries’ technology, however, is aiming to warn them about their surroundings whatever game or application they’re using.
Yeni Nesil Intel Core İşlemciler
Intel and AMD processors are on the same board for the first time. Intel’s eighth-generation Core i5 and i7 processors will be on the same platform as AMD’s Vega M graphics processors.
The new chipsets, which combine Intel processors with AMD graphics processors, are bringing these two components together on a single platform, making performance computers thinner. According to Intel, the next-generation chipset will be thinner, stronger and longer battery life than today’s Core i7 processor and Nvidia GTX 1060 Max-Q graphics processors.
MSI Optix MPG
The new series of game monitors introduced by MSI, the Optix MPG, will be the first to work with your current SteelSeries GameSense technology. The five RGB regions in front of the monitors can be programmed to give light effects suitable for in-game dynamics or third-party applications.
The first monitors of the series will have a 144Hz refresh rate on Optix MPG27C (1080p) and MPG27CQ (1440p) curved screens. The release dates and prices are not yet known.
Xenoma E-Skin
The Japan-based venture Xenoma introduced digital body technology at CES. E-Skin, a flexible electronic-lined outfit that envelops the your body, brings all the moves of the player into the virtual reality.
Completely wireless, without camera or fear of running out of batteries, these clothes send your movements to the computer via Bluetooth. E-Skin, which is still in its development phase will be provided as a developer version to the studios that produce virtual reality content.
ASUS ROG Bezel-Free Kit
Developed for multi-monitor players, the Bezel-Free Kit allows multiple monitors to appear as a single screen using light reflections.
The apparatus developed by Asus for the player brand Republic of Gamers does not require any programming to work; its whole function is an optical illusion. At the end of this year, it will be released at a price not yet announced.
GeForce Now
Nvidia announced GeForce Now, a game streaming service. The free beta test service is available for Windows and Mac users with Steam and uPlay support.
GeForce Now allows games with very high system requirements to be played even on low-end computers. Games that are processed on NVIDIA’s high-performance computers are transferred to computers via the cloud infrastructure as video streams. So to play the newer games, you only need a good internet connection rather than a good PC.
Razer Synapse 3
Philips and Razer signed a partnership to enrich their gaming experience with light shows. Philips’ intelligent lamp platform Hue’s API and Razer Chroma lighting system can now work together.
Philis Hue V2 bridges, lamps and the latest Philips Hue applications can use the new features via the Razer Synapse 3 software, which is available for free download. Thanks to the feature, all Philips Hue lamps are synchronized with dynamic lighting on Razer computers.
Makeblock Codey Rocky
Developed by Makeblock, Codey Rocky is designed to teach entry-level coding to future developers. Children over 6 years old learn to control more than 10 electronic modules with codes.
Makeblock, which launched a massive fundraising campaign on Kickstarter and reached its $100,000 target, aims to send its first Codey Rocky to pre-orderers this summer.
Ultra Game Boy
Hyperkin introduced a revised version of the Game Boy from the classic Nintendo consoles, many of which today’s adult gamers would fondly remember. The new iteration of the cult portable console has a 6 hour battery life, USB-C connectivity and stereo speakers.
Ultra Game Boy will be available for sale this summer at a price that is less than 100 USD. The console will work with the original Game Boy cartridges.
