There’s just over 50 days left of 2015 and, somewhere in that small window, we’re expecting a limited launch of the HTC Vive virtual reality (VR) head-mounted display (HMD). It’s an admittedly strange time for the device, with a release expected so soon and yet VR fans still left totally in the dark as to when it will arrive and how much it will cost. Equally as ambiguous is the kit’s launch line-up of videogames. As limited as this release may be, those lucky enough to secure one will need something to play, and we still don’t know for sure what many of those titles will be. So let’s take a look at what could be on offer later this year.

Simply typing the kit’s name into the Steam Store itself provides a few clues. Most titles that are listed on the Store already and have confirmed they will be heading to the HTC Vive are listed here. Among them is Crystal Rift, Psytec Games’ popular VR dungeon-crawler, and Skyworld, a turn-based strategy experience from Vertigo Games first revealed alongside the kit back in March. Psytec Games has already shown Crystal Rift running on the HTC Vive, and Skyworld is listed for a 2015 release, so these 2 could well be in the line-up for the device.

Also listed on the site is Ghost Machine’s Golf Masters, which is set for a 15th December 2015 launch. It’s not clear if HTC Vive support will be included from the start however, although the developer is committed to bringing most of its titles to the kit. The same goes for The Grand Canyon VR Experience, JUMP, and other titles listed under the search. It does also rule out Arizona Sunshine, which is expected for a 2016 release.

Other Steam listings sadly don’t prove as helpful. Stress Level Zero’s Hover Junkers is simply said to be ‘coming soon’

A recent SteamDB listing has pointed to two already available titles that might support the device in Audiosurf 2 and Don’t Starve, also making these potential candidates for launch titles. The listing also has several other projects that are confirmed for the HTC Vive and some seemingly unannounced ones, but none of these are listed on Steam itself yet.

Looking at some individual developers also provides some information. Phaser Lock Interactive’s website confirms that airport management title Final Approach will be a launch title for the HTC Vive, for example. Another big one is Elite: Dangerous, which will be getting a free update to add the support later this year.

It’s admittedly a tricky task to analyse exactly what titles the HTC Vive will launch with/just after, then. There seem to be a handful of definites in the likes of Crystal Rift, Skyworld, Final Approach and Elite: Dangerous and some other very likely candidates. Hopefully it we’re not far off from HTC itself lifting the lid on this one and making it absolutely clear what VR fans can look forward to later in the year.

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The post VR vs. The HTC Vive’s Launch Line-Up – What Can Fans Expect to Play On Day One? appeared first on VRFocus.

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