It also has the valve factor. In a landscape that consumer electronics are anti consumer, it’s more alluring to buy something you might not need if it’s not enshitified.
For example, I don’t really need a steam controller but boy do I want one.
I don’t want to sound like too much of a fanboy, but I’ve owned every first-party device of theirs so far, even the old physical Steam Link, the OG Controller, and the Vive which I count as theirs, and they’ve consistently hit the sweet spot of what I want out of hardware:
No hostility to the user; very tinkerer friendly; a good balance of build quality, ergonomics, and features without going into diminishing returns; long-lasting software support (even the market failure of the Steam Link has recent firmware updates); forwarding wider Linux and gaming software ecosystems; etc.
At this point, I’m just grabbing them if I have even an occasional use case for them, and I don’t regret it one bit. My Frame comes in tomorrow, and I’m very excited.
It’s a good product that doesn’t request you to sell your soul to use it. It’s definitely expensive but for people who have that money and are into VR it’s the best thing ever.
It’s funny how people were comparing the Frame to Quest, saying it’s DOA because of the price, niche device only for a few enthusiasts.
Meanwhile, the Frame is flying off the shelves and the waitlist seems to be twice as long as the number of the units available. :(
It turns out there really is a market for a standalone capable wireless headset provided that it actually respects your privacy.
It also has the valve factor. In a landscape that consumer electronics are anti consumer, it’s more alluring to buy something you might not need if it’s not enshitified.
For example, I don’t really need a steam controller but boy do I want one.
I don’t want to sound like too much of a fanboy, but I’ve owned every first-party device of theirs so far, even the old physical Steam Link, the OG Controller, and the Vive which I count as theirs, and they’ve consistently hit the sweet spot of what I want out of hardware:
No hostility to the user; very tinkerer friendly; a good balance of build quality, ergonomics, and features without going into diminishing returns; long-lasting software support (even the market failure of the Steam Link has recent firmware updates); forwarding wider Linux and gaming software ecosystems; etc.
At this point, I’m just grabbing them if I have even an occasional use case for them, and I don’t regret it one bit. My Frame comes in tomorrow, and I’m very excited.
It’s a good product that doesn’t request you to sell your soul to use it. It’s definitely expensive but for people who have that money and are into VR it’s the best thing ever.