I’m looking to getting back into VR gaming. However, with my switch to Linux, that has made things a little more complicated. I don’t own a Valve Index (although I’ve heard that there are some issues with the Index on Linux), I own a Rift CV1. As far as I’m aware, the Oculus Rift is pretty much completely incompatible with Linux. I do also own both Beat Saber and SUPERHOT VR on the Oculus Store (poor choice of platform, I know).
So, unless there’s something I’ve overlooked, my options are as follows:
- Sell my Rift and stop playing VR games (weird option to choose but it’s an option).
- Sell my Rift and save up to buy a Valve Index (despite its issues)
- Sell my Rift and save up to get a Quest 2 (or 3 when that comes out, although that plays into Metz’s pockets).
- Keep my Rift and do tiny experiments with it (again, weird choice given the title of the post, but it’s an option)
Does anyone have any advice for me here?
Just to chime in here a bit regarding the Index:
The headset itself is fine, meaning if you have the room setup done you can play games no problem (assuming the games play nice with Proton, most do but I’ve seen a few hiccups here and there).
What is not fine is SteamVR. If you are unlucky the App will not really work with your PC out of the box, in which case you’ll have to play around to get it working, switching to and from Beta branches.
Only real problems exist with the Lighthouses, you’ll need a Script to put those into and out of Standby mode and updating their Firmware via Bluetooth does not work.
I did see those issues with the Lighthouses, but that doesn’t seem like too much of a problem for me.
Also by SteamVR, do you mean like the home screen? I typically launch my games from desktop anyway, so if that’s the case, that shouldn’t be a problem.
As for games playing nice with Proton, really the only VR game I have that isn’t on Meta’s store is The Lab and Portal Stories: VR.
I’d recommend dual booting. Get a hamstrung ISO of Win10 so the telemetry crap is DOA and use it exclusive for VR so it doesn’t eat away at hard drive space.
It’s against my religion to recommend buying any further Oculus product. I want a unit like the Quest that can play standalone as well as plugged in but I was already on the fence because of Oculus being a Facebook product (before the window-pane-licking-IQ name change) and the reveal of them lying about needing a FB account was the nail in the coffin for me.
@DebatableRaccoon @cityboundforest
My next VR headset is going to be standalone hopefully with no associated account… Sometimes u just want to play beast saber on the go
My thoughts exactly. I know there was news on a standalone recent though I can’t remember who from. Very much not in the same price bracket as the Quest, unfortunately.
Edit: it was the HTC Vive XR Elite I was trying to think of.
@DebatableRaccoon
I still have the normal HTC vive so if their standalone one is any good for the price it may be a buyIt’s 1100 USD so “worth it” comes down whoever’s paying, I guess. Personally, I don’t think so just because we’ve only been seeing prices get higher instead of the typical "it comes down the longer the tech is on the market.
@DebatableRaccoon well with more competition bringing in folding phones we may see a price decrease or we may not atm its not at a place where I’d be able to justify the price.
With the recent announcement of Apple’s device (I’m aware there’s a big difference between these couple always choose the simplest possible excuse to justify themselves) and their new highest bid, I see prices still getting worse before they get better.
@DebatableRaccoon their headset is way overpriced and doesn’t seem like something I’d use
I’ve thought about looking for a barebones version of Windows for this but I wouldn’t know if it was signed and didn’t contain any surprise software that would brick my entire computer or ransom my files.
It’s against my religion to recommend buying any further Oculus product.
That’s fair and I would rather steer clear of Meta so I don’t have to touch then with a ten-foot pole. However, I don’t exactly know what I’d do with the two games I bought on their store.
Quest2 has issues in linux too. I cant get it to work. Im selling mine and getting a set of nreal glasses instead. Way more useful to me until linux vr support is solid in some headset
I was planning on using the Quest 2 as a standalone headset (unless I’m referring to the wrong headset) detached from my computer.
It will do that fine. Nice little toy to mess with. I spend more time wathing plex on it than anything hence getting the glasses
The NReal glasses are cool-looking and would be something I’d consider getting if I had anywhere near that amount of money.
If you would just stick to playing games on the Quest 2/3 directly that should be fine. The Quest 2 can run basic games, so it does limit you a bit. For example VR Chat has some worlds with too many assets that are not playable on the Quest 2 directly. From what I remember you would be limited to Meta’s store though.
Unfortunately VR seems to be a niche thing so I doubt this will get a lot of priority on Linux.
Doesn’t openHMD support it? Have you tried it yet?
As far as I’ve read, it has some serious performance issues.
I still dualboot Win10 for VR. Even tho my HTC Vive works ok on Linux it works better on windows. This would be the cheapest most hazzle free option for you too