V I R T U A L E N T E R T A I N M E N T A N D M A R K E T I N G

Valve and HTC Vive: Dedicated
VR headset that solves physical
and physiological issues
Valve and HTC’s
Vive headset is
the most recently
announced VR
device. With
hardware
developed by
HTC, the Vive’s
software relies
on Steam, Valve’s
hugely popular
(over 100 million
active accounts
as of September
2014) video game
distribution
service. The
integration
of Steam will
allow Vive,
which is expected
to become
commercially
available in late
2015,
to have a plethora of content available
through a distribution platform with
which many consumers are already
familiar. In terms of hardware, Vive’s
“Chaperone” feature allows users to
walk around without bumping into
other objects by using a system of laser
beacons positioned throughout a room.
Another advantage of Vive compared to
other VR hardware is that it, according
to Valve, helps to solve VR’s negative
physiological effects, which have
caused eye strain and motion sickness
in users. These negative effects have
been commonly reported with longer
VR experiences; therefore, if Vive
solves these issues, it will allow for longform
VR content to be comfortably
experienced. Therefore, the market
performance of Vive will further
determine how Hollywood studios,
video game publishers, and brands
approach VR.
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