The biggest name in virtual reality is finally shipping its consumer hardware. Just not to consumers.
Oculus announced today that it’s sending Rift VR headsets to developers who are in the late stages of developing games for the immersive platform. Developers need to test games on the final hardware, and the Rift SDK 1.0 that’s shipping with it, to make sure their games run smoothly on launch day.
Facebook-owned Oculus isn’t just shipping devices to anyone who says they are developing a game. Right now, only developers who are putting out titles on launch day or soon after are getting a Rift. However, you can submit an app for review and may still be able to get a consumer version of the headset before the first-quarter launch.
Late-stage developers are also getting some new software tools with the latest hardware. The Rift SDK 1.0 has some features that are tied to the final version of the Rift headset, so only those developers need to work with and test soon-to-ship apps are getting access to the software development kit.
“We’re shipping more Rift hardware out to developers every week in the run up to launch,” a note on the Oculus developer blog says. “In the meantime, DK2 [the prototype given to developers] and SDK 0.8 continue to be the right platform for early Rift development — you only need SDK 1.0 if you’re imminently shipping.”
A launch date for the Rift still hasn’t been announced, but it should be in consumer’s hands by Spring 2016. For users who just can’t wait, there’s the Gear VR headset from Samsung available right now.
