Yesterday VRFocus reported on e-retailer Newegg announcing that the company was now stocking the HTC Vive head-mounted display (HMD). Today HTC has revealed the HMD is now available through the Microsoft Store and Gamestop US websites.
Both websites indicate stock is available and the one benefit of ordering through a third-party retailer rather than the dedicated HTC Vive site is that there’s free shipping available, saving an additional cost on top of the $799 USD asking price. As with any purchase of a HTC Vive at the moment, the headset comes with a software bundling which includes Google Tilt Brush, Fantastic Contraption and Job Simulator. HTC has yet stated how long this offer will run for, but as its expanding its retail footprint and keen to attract more consumers to the device the offer will likely stay in place for a while.
Both Microsoft Store and Gamestop also offer virtual reality (VR) ready PC’s to offer a one stop shop for VR gamers. The Microsoft Store has also been selling the Oculus Rift HMD for several months now, so both manufacturers a starting to directly compete on the same websites.
Developed in partnership by HTC and Valve, the biggest difference between Vive and its direct competitor Oculus Rift, is that the Vive was designed from the ground up for Room Scale VR. This allows greater immersive interactions and experiences in virtual worlds, being able to walk around an allocated space with a fully tracked headset and two wireless motion tracked controllers. And to stop users bumping into walls and furniture there’s the Chaperone system, indicating when a user is near to a object in the real world. All this is achieved with two Lighthouse base stations that continuously track the user.
VRFocus will continue its coverage of HTC Vive, reporting back with any further announcements.
