VR - what a disappointingly miserable experience

[Tallonius]

Just got a Quest 2 headset and can't believe what an awful experience it is overall. Not because the games/experiences aren't good, but because of the laughably bad integration software.

Games on the Quest 2 'stand-alone' (ie not linked to a PC) are very basic but many are fun (ie Beat Sabre), but my main interest was using the link cable to connect it to a PC so I could play bigger/better more immersive games, like Star Wars Squadrons, Elite Dangerous, Half-Life Alyx, DCS etc. What a MASSIVE DISAPPOINTMENT.

Elite Dangerous aside, the process (yes, it's a process) to get anything to actually run is a dreary performance that I invariably get wrong: you have to connect the headset before you start Steam VR - if Steam VR can't see the headset (happens often) you have to re-enable the link - but you can only enable the link in the headset - then you have to restart Steam VR because it can't do this itself, but you can only do it from the screen so you have to take off the headset AGAIN etc etc and so the farce goes on.

No, dumb#ss software devs, I expect you enable the damn link FOR ME or ask me if I'd like you to do it! and ask me in both the headset AND on screen. You know, use intuitive software to actually assist the user, not make everything a grindingly tedious tech exam. This is laughably bad in 2022.

For example: I bought Contractors VR for use on a PC via link (rather than the Quest 2 native version) and I'm now regretting it. Tried to run it using 'Quest 2 link' (whatever that is? Perhaps they could have told me with a small label??) and just got the loading screen jumping around wildly in my headset with a frozen audio clip repeating ad nauseum. Kill game and start again using the 'Steam VR link' option but the same thing happens again - though Steam VR is actually running perfectly. Re-boot the PC and try yet again.

Yes, I know the Quest 2 is primarily a stand-alone headset with limited ability, but they promote it as being able to link to PC VR games, so this shouldn't be the poor-relation.

Sadly, the whole thing is a massive grind and waste of good gaming time. Perhaps that's why VR is so slow to take off - it's not that people don't want the experience, it's that the software to make it work is so inept. Maybe they just put all the stupid people on the VR project to get them out of the way?

[Kobs]

There will always be peoples in it for the money who advertise their sh** as if it was one of the best but it's really not. Sad to say but as usual you get what you pay for. You got a " disappointingly miserable experience" with VR cause you didn't buy the right VR headset period. Which is why peoples looking to get one should do their research beforehand it's not "VR" it's the headset

[ʟǟֆȶʟɨʋɨռɢքօɛȶ]

quest 2 issue

[Santa Claus]

That's odd. I use a Quest 2 and Steam VR without the problems you're getting. It's better using Air Link, if your WiFi doesn't suck, than a cable but I've used the cable as well. It was a long time ago that I set up my Quest to talk to my PC but I remember there was a driver I had to download and install so maybe that is your problem. There are a lot of youtube tutorials on setting up your Quest to use PCVR.

[HeySalls]

The best experience I could have in quest 2 + PCVR is using virtual desktop, is the easiest and friendliest way.
But the way you are complaining playing only quest native games should be the way for you

[Damsteri]

They don't promote Quest 2 for PCVR with Steam. PCVR does not mean Steam. They have their own app and PCVR games originally made for Rift (S). Using Quest (2) with Steam is using it on competitor's platform, so do you really expect much support for that? SteamVR works best with native SteamVR headsets.

[Tallonius]

Thanks all for those comments.

Yes, i suspect I've bought the wrong headset as Kobs suggests. I haven't tried the Airlink because I just assumed it would be like wifi vs ethernet cable, but that's something I'll try next.

Damsteri - so if I don't use Steam VR, what DO I use that is made for Quest 2 or Rift S?

And numbers person - what do you mean by 'virtual desktop' - is this part of Quest app or some other software?

[Damsteri]

Originally posted by Tallonius:

Damsteri - so if I don't use Steam VR, what DO I use that is made for Quest 2 or Rift S?

I haven't used Oculus headsets for a long time. I have Quest 1 collecting dust, haven't used it for a while... a year or two. So, I might be wrong, but this is at least how it was:

For Quest with link cable (or airlink too, don't know, haven't tried) you need Oculus' own app, that handles the connection (you must have that installed already). Steam VR was optional when the Link Cable came. Oculus app has all apps/games you have bought from their store for Rift (store has separate Quest and Rift sections), so you should be able to play games that you have bought for Rift with Quest+Link by launching them from the Oculus PC app without using Steam. I didn't had any Rift games bought (as I had Vive) so I only tested it with some free apps, but those are Oculus' PCVR games.

PCVR games sold in Oculus store are mostly same as sold in Steam (with some exclusives), but they are hardware locked (by the platfrom) and you can't use them on non-Oculus headset. By buying that same game from Steam you can luckily play with almost any headset as Valve supports other headsets too. Better to buy PCVR games from Steam, that leaves you option to switch to another headset manufacturer in the future.

[GuRu Asaki]

Sadly, the whole thing is a massive grind and waste of good gaming time. Perhaps that's why VR is so slow to take off - it's not that people don't want the experience, it's that the software to make it work is so inept. Maybe they just put all the stupid people on the VR project to get them out of the way?

I never liked the HUD View & Interface of the VR System in Gaming today...

It's like your flying blind while your hardware is teathering your head to a Device that could whiplash you at any given moment you make a wrong move that possibly feels like could End with your Neck Snapping, & your face planting into Concrete, or whatever Surface your standing on...

The Helmet is big, bulky, heavy,
& feels uncomfortable over
long periods of time...
Despite what everyone says...

The Pricing just isn't worth all those issues,
especially when you don't plan to make it your main Source of Gaming, & with the added overall lack of Content for it, especially good Content at all? Does not really leave me to believe there's any hope for it...

My Solution:

-- Teather the Headset to a Vest with a short Teather
-- Have your Vest Teather or BluTooth to your Device/Devices like the PC

This Eliminates your Wires problem big time...

Then Update the HUD View: to Indicate your VR Controller Input Hints now appear on Screen

This Eliminates Controller
confusion for many 1st timers

--------------------------------

Lastly, come up with shorter more 30 min
Games that feel like bigger Games, & bundle them up together in like 5 to 10 Game Bundles, with lots of Bundled choices available, & lower the cost of your
VR Gaming Experience overall in Total...

It'll be more Enjoyable as a more limited Experience with a lot of Replay Value, rather then a fuller experience with little
to no Replay Value...

I can guarantee more People
will Invest if this happens...

[pantheon0918]

I just bought the valve index I hope the thing you said doesn’t happens to me

Valve own stuff supposed to be have the best integration right

[ʟǟֆȶʟɨʋɨռɢքօɛȶ]

Originally posted by pantheon0918:

I just bought the valve index I hope the thing you said doesn’t happens to me

Valve own stuff supposed to be have the best integration right

don't worry about it, they work great