Gaming | Byte Gremlin

Kill, Marry, F… : VR Headset Edition

October 15, 2019May 17, 2019 by Charlie

VR is at a weird, uncomfortable phase of its evolution. It’s not quite the next big thing, nor is it a dead parrot. And yet, the leaders in the industry have announced a new generation of headsets, each of which pushes the medium in a very different direction. The situation has left both would-be adopters and die-hard fans scratching their heads as to where they should spend their well-earned (or dubiously earned) scratch.

So I might as well pay off that click-baitish headline. You’ve got three options: The Oculus Rift S, Oculus Quest, or the surprise HMD: Valve Index. As with the childhood game, these choices are a bit subjective, so bear in mind that this is all firmly IMHO.

Let’s break it down.

Recommended PC Builds (2019 Edition)

October 5, 2020January 10, 2019 by Charlie

business-1839191_1920

Note: Byte Gremlin uses Affiliate Links, which generate income to help support the site.

For those considering building your own PC (which I highly recommend), I’ve created these recommended builds with various uses and goals in mind.

These part sets have been devised to maximize performance per dollar, compatability, and minimal bottlenecking (where a cheap part restricts performance of more expensive components).

If you’d like to know more about how to compile a list of compatible parts yourself, check out my other guide here.

Why Oculus Quest ISN’T the future of VR

October 5, 2020October 10, 2018 by Charlie

Note: Byte Gremlin uses Affiliate Links, which generate income to help support the site.

During Oculus’ most recent Oculus Connect 5 event, the company announced a product some pundits are hailing as the turning point for VR hardware.

At a glance, Oculus Quest appears to be exactly what everyone has been asking for out of VR. Priced at $400, it provides room-scale tracking (scaling up to vast multi-room experiences that may match or exceed Vive’s commercial arena tracking systems). It uses inside-out on headset tracking and therefore requires minimal setup. On top of that, it requires no separate PC to run. The entire headset is self contained, along with its two controllers that are a close match to the rift’s much admired move controllers.

As a self described VR evangelist, I sincerely wish I could tout this new development as an exciting new chapter in the evolution of VR hardware. Unfortunately, I can’t.

How to Build the Ultimate Sim-Pit

October 5, 2020September 9, 2018 by Charlie

Note: Byte Gremlin uses Affiliate Links, which generate income to help support the site.

Warning, this guide may lead to domestic unrest, disinterest in the real world, and supreme joy.

The first time the Gremlin saw pictures of a home made cockpit, he immediately filed it into his mental drawer of cool stuff he would never do. It seemed impractical, expensive, and unnecessary.

That was then.

He’s since built his own cockpit, and fallen in love with the unparalleled immersion it provides. Stepping into the “pit” feels like the world’s coolest Disneyland ride that happens to be in my house. This guide is designed to help you conceptualize, design and build a sim pit of your very own.

Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Networking *(But Were Afraid to Ask)

October 5, 2020August 26, 2018 by Charlie

Note: Byte Gremlin uses Affiliate Links, which generate income to help support the site.

Even for many seasoned technophiles, networking is bugaboo territory. Sure, we all know the basics. Put the WiFi router in a good spot. Use a secure password. Restart said router every six months when the internet craps out. But going the extra mile on setting up your network will make all the difference in speed and reliability. Whether you’re looking to cut out the lag from your frags, maximize performance to a server, or just make your browser tabs load faster, it pays to buy the right gear, and set it up the right way.

This guide is meant to cater to everyone, whether you’re planning on recreating the matrix in your attic, or you’re just looking for a simple upgrade over the box from your service provider. Not sure if you’d benefit from a more advanced network setup? We’ll cover that too.