14 DAY TRIAL // Oculus, the company behind the upcoming Rift virtual reality headset, has put forth a brand new price estimate for the consumer version of the long-awaited device. Apparently, the regular edition is set to cost at least $300 (around €268) although nothing is set in stone just yet. Once things are finalized, pre-orders will be available.
The Oculus Rift virtual reality headset started out as a novel Kickstarter project but quickly evolved into the spark that lit the VR revolution. Many other companies are working on their own headsets, such as HTC and Valve, or Sony, while Oculus got purchased by Facebook and is working hard on the long-awaited consumer version of the Rift.
The final version of the Oculus Rift might have a steep price
After going on the record by saying that the intended price range of the consumer edition of the Oculus Rift is between $200 (€178) and $400 (€357), the company now offers a more up to date estimate.
While talking to PC Gamer, Oculus Vice President of Product, Nate Mitchell, confirms that the consumer version is set to cost at least 300 USD (268 EUR).
Bear in mind that the intended consumer package of the Rift is set to include not just the actual VR headset, but also the required sensor and an Xbox One controller. It's unclear if other editions, without the controller possibly, are coming.
Pre-orders are coming soon enough
Mitchell also explained why Oculus isn't accepting pre-orders just yet. The main reasoning is that there are still plenty of things to nail down and delays can always crop up. Telling fans who spent money on your product that it's going to be a while before they get their purchased gear should be avoided, according to the executive.
"There isn't a big reason to take your money too far ahead of the device," he says. "What I think about all day long is user experience, right? So if I'm going to promise you something and you're going to hand me a significant amount of money or whatever it is—we all know it's going to be at least $300—if you're going to hand me $300 today, I am not going to be excited to tell you: 'OK, in nine, 10, 12, 11 months, whatever it is, you're going to get something in return.'"
As of yet, the Oculus Rift is set to launch on the market in early 2016.