Innovation & Tech Today - CA (2020-10)

38 INNOVATION & TECH TODAY^ |^ 2020 YEAR-END ISSUE

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Another Epic Quest in VR

Oculus Quest 2 has improved drastically, while seeing a $100 price drop.

By John Gaudiosi

Facebook is offering the perfect gift this

holiday season with the launch of Oculus Quest

2. Even if the world wasn’t closed because of
   COVID-19, virtual reality has jumped by leaps
   and bounds since Palmer Luckey launched his
   Oculus startup in 2012. Oculus Quest 2 retails
   for $300 for the 64GB version, a full $100 less
   than the first untethered device launched in
   May 2019.

The 256GB version retails for $400. Facebook

has improved every aspect of the mobile Quest

headset. It’s been redesigned smaller and

approximately10% lighter, which is important

for those long gaming sessions. It’s a headset

designed to work for more people – it’s flexible

to switch between all-in-one and PC VR

gaming, with more accessory options to

customize users’ fit and comfort.

Facebook has updated the pair of Touch

Controllers, which are larger and more

comfortable to use for long gaming sessions.

There’s also a new circular faceplate for your

thumb to rest on. Everything about the batteries

has been improved. The battery flap now snaps

into place securely on each controller, and the

single AA battery lasts four times longer than

the first generation. There’s also a separate Elite

Strap with a battery pack, which doubles the

battery life for gaming.

When it comes to gaming, the biggest

improvement will be the visual experience.

Quest 2 utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon

XR2 Platform and has the highest-resolution

LCD display ever at 1832×1920 per eye, which

is 50% more pixels than the first generation of

hardware. What this means is that every game

has been improved. The entire library of Quest

1 games has been upgraded visually with titles

like Waltz of the Wizard: Extended Edition

offering real-time lighting, particle effects, more

objects and better resolution, and Ironlights

including double render resolution and

improved fine text, model edges, and particle

effects. A full rundown of games is below.

Speaking of games, there are even more

opportunities to play in VR thanks to Oculus

Link. While still in beta (with room for

improvement), if you buy a long USB-C cable

you can plug the Quest 2 into your PC and play

content from SteamVR and other avenues. This

also increases the processing power of the Quest

2 and opens up new gameplay experiences like

the upcoming Medal of Honor VR.

The one change not everyone may like is the