How To Play Any Game In VR And Expand Your World
While virtual reality has been around for quite some time, new advancements in VR tech have brought this style of video gaming to a new and trendy status. And if you’ve thought about playing something in VR, you may have wondered what your options are. Does VR currently support your favorite titles? Or are you like the many gamers looking to learn how to play any game in VR?
While it may sound strange, any game can be played in VR. Of course, you must learn how to do it. Many programs and apps offer various levels of support, but there are options.
So, if you own VR gear and are really dying to play Grand Theft Auto with it, there are ways.
What Are VR Games?
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Virtual reality is an interesting piece of tech that allows you to really immerse yourself in a game. The purpose is a video game that fully allows you to suspend disbelief.
VR is a way to experience 3D images in artificial environments. And they’re greatly gaining popularity!
While its previous incarnations were far from perfect, this technology has come a long way. It's a widely used and enjoyed hardware.
Steam alone has great deals on hundreds of different games you can plug yourself into.
VR Games You Should Really Try Out
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Before you learn how to play any game in VR, some games are just perfectly designed for it. These games are designed specifically for VR. Every function and design built in to exemplify the power of virtual reality.
New VR games are coming out all the time, and they all look great! From goofy office simulators to epic lightsaber battles, there’s certainly a game out there for everyone.
Not to mention many different VR headsets to choose from: Oculus Rift, HTC Vive, Playstation VR, Google Daydream, and more.
Here are some of the awesome virtual reality games you should try out:
Chronos
Have you ever imagined playing a VR game in the third person? Chronos is an action fantasy game where you do just that: You control a third person hero through a fantasy world.
The idea is to offer a more natural viewing experience for the character you’re controlling.
The camera is you. It’s a fixed position camera, for the most part. It allows you to view each room as a whole as you prepare the character for each battle.
The graphics of this fantasy action adventure are beautiful and unique. All in all, it’s a very interesting entry to the world of VR video games.
EVE: Valkyrie
Fans of the MMORPG EVE should be excited to play this one. The space-faring battle RPG game has a new VR makeover.
This entirely new perspective on the franchise puts you right in the pilot's seat and thrusts you into the battle. This spaceship shooter is very fast-paced and intense, like many dogfight games.
Valkyrie is a multiplayer game. You can play online and battle with your friends or strangers. Currently, it’s available only on Oculus Rift and will eventually be available on HTC Vive.
Tilt Brush
If fast-paced dogfights aren’t your thing, here’s something more low-key and relaxing. Tilt Brush allows you to kick back and create art.
You can paint, draw, and sculpt whatever you want in a virtual AR (alternate reality) setting. Think Microsoft Paint, but 3D and a lot more interactive.
It’s a little more than your typical art set, though. Tilt Brush allows you to paint with different elements: fire, water, rainbows, and all kinds of things.
Space Pirate Trainer
Sometimes all you need is a simple shooter. Space Pirate Trainer is a great example of that. This game requires a little bit of room to move around. Enemies will attack you from all directions. And you have to be quick on your feet.
Space Pirate Trainer is a bit more physical than other games in that regard. But if you want to feel like a true hero while you fire your twin laser guns, Space Pirate Trainer might be a good one to try out.
How To Play Any Game In VR
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What’s on your VR wishlist? Is your favorite game available for VR? If not, know that there might be another way to play. Let’s say that Bioshock is your favorite game, but you wish you could immerse yourself a bit more in its world.
While learning how to play any game in VR won’t give you the same experience as a full-fledged VR game, it will certainly add a level of depth to your experience.
VR games are designed with specific VR controls. And adapting any other game will still require a controller or keyboard.
In order to learn how to play any game in VR, all you'll need is the headset and all the cords that came with it. It's simple.
Trinus VR
Android VR or Google Cardboard users have a quick and easy way to play VR games on their phones. All you need is the Trinus VR app and any game that requires the mouse to look around.
The Trinus app comes as a free trial version and a paid version. Fortunately, the paid version is very inexpensive.
After the app is downloaded, make sure you are connected to your Wi-fi.
The Trinus VR app is pretty straightforward. Just open up the game you wish to connect with the Trinus app. First person games work the best, as you may have a hard time with anything else.
The app should feature a triangle button. Once the game is on, and the app is open, just hit that button and you’re all set. You are free to enjoy the game with this new immersive perspective.
VorpX
Oculus Rift and Vive fans have an option to play their entire game library with the help of VorpX. It operates as a 3D driver for DirectX and OpenGL and is designed specifically for full immersion gameplay.
VorpX allows you to view your entire monitor in your headset, so you can essentially do just about anything in VR. But you'll also find support for a VR controller, which translates input into whichever game you’re playing.
And of course, they are completely customizable to your specific settings and play style. The idea is to make it more convenient and playable than using a keyboard and mouse.
All you need to do is download it and configure the controls. VorpX won't drain your wallet either, as it is fairly inexpensive.
BigScreen
Windows users have an option of their own. BigScreen is a system that allows you to play just about anything in your Steam library using Steam VR.
And since it's so useful, you'll be glad to know that it continuously improves and becomes more user-friendly.
BigScreen requires that you set your Windows computer to High-Performance mode. There are performance issues on anything less. The last thing you want while in VR is lag or frame rate dips.
You need to make sure that your VR headset is running in Direct Mode. Without that option selected, the performance may also be suffering a bit. This option will be in the Developer section.
The game settings should match VR settings. An option called “anti-aliasing” might be selected. The problem is that it uses up a lot of processing power and is essentially a vestigial option. So make sure this one is deselected.
Supersampling, Post-Processing, and Reflections are other options that you should make sure are not selected. They will put a dent in the performance of the game and could slow your computer down.
Other users of BigScreen have noted that the software f.lux has interfered with the performance of their games. Be sure to disable this software if you experience any issues.
The settings are done, and you are all taken care of. Now just load up the game and enjoy. The best part is that this is a free app on the Steam website.
BigScreen’s reviews do criticize how it's limited to Windows 7 and Windows 10 users. But some of the good reviews love the versatility, as this is an all-purpose VR tool, rather than a VR converter.
Vireio Perception
Vireio Perception is essentially a free version of VorpX, a 3D driver. That said, it functions the same way. The program tracks your movements, allowing you to move around in the real world while it translates into the game.
Of course, the catch is that it does not support as many games as VorpX or other options.
But there are some great options. You can easily play Fallout 4 using Vireio Perception. Resolution should be 1920 by 1080 or 2560 by 1440. Once again, anything else will affect the processing power of your computer.
Virtual Desktop
If you’ve ever heard of VR Chat, Virtual Desktop and BigScreen both have versions of that which allow you to hang out with your friends in a virtual lobby area or even a movie theater.
So as long as you follow the specific setup guidelines and have Windows 7 or Windows 10, BigScreen might be your best option.
Like BigScreen, Virtual Desktop offers more than just VR gaming. It’s essentially an all-purpose VR translator. You can download fully 360-degree desktops from places like the Steam Workshop.
After you learn how to play any game in VR with this, the real fun begins. There's a lot of customization that goes into Virtual Desktop. This program allows you to design your own game playing environment with a customizable desktop.
You can change the size, change the layout -- you name it. The customizable desktop completely mirrors your on-screen activity.
Virtual Desktop is intuitive and allows you to play any game in fully realized VR. If you’re going the route of learning how to play any game in VR, maybe try Virtual Desktop just to throw in some more versatile options and customization.
It's an entire experience, rather than just a gaming setup. It’s as easy as downloading and using. And it requires no setup or configuration.
Virtual Desktop is available for Oculus Rift, HTC Vive, and WMR.
Have Fun Playing Any Game You Want On VR!
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As you can see, there are many options to choose from. Although, VR games have no perfect replacements. But, it’s nice knowing how to play any game in VR if you ever get bored with your selection.
Find a program that’s best for you and remember all the things you can do with this software. And above all, have fun.
Now that you know how to play any game in VR, what will you play? Sound off in the comments below.
Featured Image: Image by Wren Handman from Pixabay