Valve's $999 Index VR kit reportedly sold out in less than 30 minutes

[Polycount]

Valve's high-end, visual fidelity-focused Index VR headset was officially unveiled a couple of days ago. The device looks pretty impressive as far as VR headsets go - it has finger-tracking controllers, unique off-ear headphones for more natural, immersive sound, and a 120Hz refresh rate.

Of course, all of those fancy specs don't come cheap: the Index's price tag sits at $999, which puts it well out of reach of the average gamer. However, it seems the VR enthusiast market is bigger than many have thought, because Valve's stock of pre-order Index kits completely sold out (in the US, anyway) within 30 minutes, according to an Upload VR report.

It should be noted that we don't know how many Index kits Valve produced. Perhaps the company was anticipating low demand and only made a handful of the devices to begin with. Regardless, even if that was the case, this is still an impressive achievement when you keep the Index's hefty price tag in mind.

For anyone who wants to snag an Index now, you're out of luck. The pre-order button has been replaced with a Reserve button, and the "Ship by" date has been switched from late July to August 31 for US customers. Interestingly, as of the time Upload VR published their report, that date was September 31, so the delay won't be quite as long as it initially appeared.

To be clear, "reserving" an Index does not lock you into buying one, you're simply cementing your spot in line. A reservation just means that the company will email you when your Index is available for purchase and shipping. You won't have to hand over any payment details until you decide to act on the offer, though it's possible that Valve will hand your spot over to someone else if you take too long to buy.

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https://www.techspot.com/news/79916-valve-999-index-vr-kit-sold-out-less.html

 

[TomSEA]

I've stayed away from VR, but interested in this set.

However, before I drop 10 Benjamin's on one, I'd like to see some reviews first.

 

[captaincranky]

I can't picture myself getting terribly involved with VR until it includes a vast amount of travel oriented source material.

Do I want to game with it? Not really. But I would love to visit the Grand Canyon, Sequoia and Yellow Stone national parks, travel the PCH and walk among the giant California redwoods, do a deep dive into Mt. Fujiyama, and swim with a pod of dolphins.

Sorry kidz, my bucket list doesn't include PUBG in VR.

For their time period these were spectacular https://www.toyhalloffame.org/toys/view-master

Just think of all the places where today's 3D tech plus motion and sound could take you.

 

[NahNood]

Sold out in less than half an hour? Not bad for something without a 3 in it from Valve.

 

[m4a4]

I can't picture myself getting terribly involved with VR until it includes a vast amount of travel oriented source material.

Do I want to game with it? Not really. But I would love to visit the Grand Canyon, Sequoia and Yellow Stone national parks, travel the PCH and walk among the giant California redwoods, do a deep dive into Mt. Fujiyama, and swim with a pod of dolphins.

Sorry kidz, my bucket list doesn't include PUBG in VR.

For their time period these were spectacular https://www.toyhalloffame.org/toys/view-master

Just think of all the places where today's 3D tech plus motion and sound could take you.

Static environments in VR are actually fairly popular.

This one is free from Valve (thought the trailer doesn't show many of the environments) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ASVku-48N8Q

And there is Google Earth VR (decent content) and probably a lot more I haven't looked into.

 

[Evernessince]

It's sold out and pre-ordered all the way into august now. It may not be good value but it's better then the other options on the market. Although I will concede, it you do have a Vive right now, it is only $500 to upgrade so that's not bad.

 

[Dimitrios]

The only true VR that will succeed is the one that doesn't take movement but really just by closing your eyes and it being like a dream and you can control it. Maybe like that movie INCEPTION.

The only VR that will succeed quickly is if it was dirt cheap. For now it would be perfect for curious hardcore gamers wanting something new, medical staff training, law enforcement, army, rescue, porn, & driving school education.

 

[Morris Minor]

Looks good and I'm looking to upgrade my vive. will wait for a comparison between pimax 5k before I drop any money though

 

[Evernessince]

The only true VR that will succeed is the one that doesn't take movement but really just by closing your eyes and it being like a dream and you can control it. Maybe like that movie INCEPTION.

The only VR that will succeed is if it was dirt cheap. For now it would be perfect for curious hardcore gamers wanting something new, medical staff training, law enforcement, army, rescue, porn, & driving school education.

The Oculus Quest is coming out at $400 and is an all-in-one mobile VR system. It's the price of a console and is launching with a very nice game library.

 

[Zodwraith]

I've been watching and hoping for solid VR for nearly 3 decades now. The reason I haven't invested more than a couple hundred into it isn't from a lack of competent hardware, it's entirely due to content being 99% novelty applications. All of our headsets are sitting on/under our desks from a lack of real content, not because of low fps/resolution.

What frustrates me is the big players keep focusing so hard on the hardware and getting it sold rather than content where the profits are. Remember when Sega, Nintendo and Sony sold consoles at a loss and still thrived by selling content? Because apparently none of the VR camps do.

 

[Skripop]

I can't picture myself getting terribly involved with VR until it includes a vast amount of travel oriented source material.

Do I want to game with it? Not really. But I would love to visit the Grand Canyon, Sequoia and Yellow Stone national parks, travel the PCH and walk among the giant California redwoods, do a deep dive into Mt. Fujiyama, and swim with a pod of dolphins.

Sorry kidz, my bucket list doesn't include PUBG in VR.

For their time period these were spectacular https://www.toyhalloffame.org/toys/view-master

Just think of all the places where today's 3D tech plus motion and sound could take you.

They do though? There's tons of these and are even preloaded on some VR devices

 

[ShagnWagn]

I can't picture myself getting terribly involved with VR until it includes a vast amount of travel oriented source material.

Do I want to game with it? Not really. But I would love to visit the Grand Canyon, Sequoia and Yellow Stone national parks, travel the PCH and walk among the giant California redwoods, do a deep dive into Mt. Fujiyama, and swim with a pod of dolphins.

Sorry kidz, my bucket list doesn't include PUBG in VR.

For their time period these were spectacular https://www.toyhalloffame.org/toys/view-master

Just think of all the places where today's 3D tech plus motion and sound could take you.

I see your point, but for the cost of one of these, plus paying for the "game" to view a location, you could put it toward actually traveling there. At least for me, it would pay for visiting at least two of them - in person.

 

[IAMTHESTIG]

And there is Google Earth VR (decent content) and probably a lot more I haven't looked into.

Google Earth VR is quite excellent actually. It's not great for street level frankly but birds-eye or higher altitudes is a wonderful experience. This is actually how I introduce friends and family to VR, is with Google Earth VR first. Then move onto the experiences and games. It's a very comfortable way to start...

 

[Jeff Schmidt]

I'd like to see the numbers they have "sold". Cause 30 minutes is a short time for something that is $1000. I gotta believe they only sold like 2-3,000 units at most and trying to make it sound like its a hit. It sounds like some of the nonsense they put out when the steam controller and steam link came out. Talking about how they were a massive success. Then 2 years later you could get the link for what 5 bucks.

When its more than twice the cost of a Rift. But does it offer twice the performance. I'm not going to deny that it is better. But I doubt any games will see any of the benefits from the knuckles controllers for a long while. Hell they will probably show up in games like the htc battleaxes (controllers) for a long time.

 

[Divedrive]

I've stayed away from VR, but interested in this set.

However, before I drop 10 Benjamin's on one, I'd like to see some reviews first.

Tested did a review, go look it up on youtube

 

[Divedrive]

The only true VR that will succeed is the one that doesn't take movement but really just by closing your eyes and it being like a dream and you can control it. Maybe like that movie INCEPTION.

The only VR that will succeed is if it was dirt cheap. For now it would be perfect for curious hardcore gamers wanting something new, medical staff training, law enforcement, army, rescue, porn, & driving school education.

The kind of VR you are dreaming about only exists in dreams.

 

[Dimitrios]

The kind of VR you are dreaming about only exists in dreams.

A VR that lets you move without your physical body. A way to be placed in an artificial location. Anything is possible.