As the Virtual Reality gaming market grows, there are some growing efforts that are seeking to be less proprietary, and more inclusive about the process. Open Source Virtual Reality, or OSVR, is a movement that involves not just Razer, but over 230 companies that support the cause.
As the project evolves, so does the hardware, and at IFA, Razer brought out the newest Hacker Development Kit. Version 1.3 now supports Nvidia’s Gameworks VR, a platform that not only improves performance, but also runs the headset as a direct VR device, rather than recognizing it as an external display. The graphics card will also render directly to the front buffer, reducing latency, as well as advanced GPU control features.
There’s also a slew of new tools for developers in the space, including the OSVR Performance Profiler. This handy tool can help programmers find bottlenecks in their software stack, all the way down to the kernel level. Latency and framerates are more important than ever in VR, and this is an important step towards peak performance.
OSVR is starting to prepare for consumers as well, and has expanded the Cortex gaming software with a VR section. Not only can Cortex help you track prices, optimize performance, and back up your game files, but it’s now also a hub for all of your VR content. It’s one of the few services out there offering dedicated VR games and demos, and will only continue to expand as VR’s influence does.
If you’re interested in the OSVR Hacker Development Kit 1.3, pre-orders will open to the public on October 1, but no word on price just yet. The update to Cortex is live, so go check it out if you already have a VR headset.
