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The VR headset: still not stylish just like Back to the Future II predicted

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Ever since Back to the Future II’s uber futuristic glimpse of what life could be like in 2015, the technology comparisons have been running rampant. While the movie’s predictions have some obvious hits and misses, thanks to Sony’s SmartEyeglass, I realized that the 1989 film was right about one more thing. There are no stylish VR headsets available today. This epiphany came on the heels of the announcement that Sony’s answer to Google Glass was now for sale. After checking out Sony’s SmartEyeglass, my first thought was that not a single person would ever take me seriously while wearing them.

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Sony SmartEyeglass or SmartEyesore?

I mean, could you blame them? I’m certainly not the most fashionable person around, but I can’t possibly be alone in thinking that not a single person would look normal while using Sony’s SmartEyeglass. Besides the overlarge square design that wouldn’t flatter even the most genetically blessed among us, I think the thing that gets me most is that its bulky retro-ish styling detracts from its usability. Despite the dizzying number of potential uses, I just know it would bring a lot of (unwanted) attention that would keep me from wearing them. And that’s a huge bummer. Especially since you know that Sony tried their best to make them as stylish as possible. Perhaps they’re going for the nostalgia market since the vintage black frame look of the $840 SmartEyeglass will only offer the classic green display of those old monochrome monitors.

Sony is bringing back Monochrome in 2015

Sony is bringing back Monochrome in 2015

The future’s not that bright, either. I find myself liking the ultra futuristic look of the now defunct Google Glass about as much as I like the thick black styling of SmartEyeglass. While I can appreciate the minimalist approach that Google’s designers took, I can’t help but think that it looks like something a pretentious architect would wear.

Glasshole

Was this the Google Glass target demographic?

I mean, granted, Google Glass offers a full color display unlike Sony’s SmartEyeglass but even with the barely there frames, I know that I would still feel a bit weird rocking a pair. I guess, to me, it almost looks like a bluetooth earpiece for your face. And as amazing and revolutionary as the Microsoft HoloLens promises to be, you have to admit that there is still much to be desired when it comes to the looks department.

Microsoft HoloLens

Microsoft HoloLens augments reality but not your looks

I’m not saying that the VR headset from Back to the Future II is the best thing around; far from it, in fact. What I am saying is that, if given the choice, I would pick the silly Back to the Future glasses instead of the HoloLens or Google Glass. Why? Well, I think Back to the Future II totally got it right: they embraced the inherent awkwardness of VR glasses instead of trying to fight it. I know it’s not an easy task to design good looking virtual reality and augmented reality headsets, but we must be able to do better, right? And yes, you can argue that Michael J. Fox doesn’t exactly look cool while yelling at the fruit dispensing robot in his VR glasses, but they are certainly a lot less obtrusive than some options that are currently on the market.

oculus-rift

Ahem, Oculus Rift

I guess what I’m saying is that maybe we should take a page from the Back to the Future II design playbook. Let’s embrace the fact that VR headsets will never look like regular glasses and goggles and run with it so that we can move past the era of weird looking VR headsets and instead focus our efforts on making flying cars happen.

Hey, I'm Sara! I'm a fan of all things geek so you'll usually find me immersed in everything from comic books to auto sports. I often wish that I was born in the future so that I could have experienced adventures worthy of Star Wars or Star Trek. To cope with the fact that we don't even have flying cars yet, I generally infuse everything I do with a healthy dose of humor. I mean, we may as well laugh while we're waiting, right? (Also, it's a great excuse to include as many Simpsons references as possible)

Gaming

Players of The Condition of the Outer Worlds on PS5 are requesting refunds

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The RPG The Outer Worlds: Spacer’s Choice Edition was recently published on the PS5, but even in its specialized performance mode, it performs poorly. As a result, several players have already requested refunds in threads on the game’s subreddit.

Even though problems probably aren’t to blame for the game’s performance issues, customer service has told affected players (who appear to all be PS5 users) to report bugs to the publisher, Private Division, which is having trouble.

The parent company of Private Division, Take-Two Interactive, announced layoffs on Monday, citing the need for “another long period of success” as the reason. The Twitter account for The Outer Worlds sent players looking for information to the troubled publisher, Obsidian Entertainment, which is now owned by Microsoft.

It is unknown if Sony or Private Division will offer refunds. It’s true that it’s not the complete disaster that Cyberpunk 2077 was at first, but we’ll monitor the situation as it changes. The Outer Worlds: Spacer’s Choice Edition on the PS5 bothered you?

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Gaming

Sony was worried Call of Duty on PlayStation could be ruined by Microsoft, whether they know it or not

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It’s time to talk about everyone’s favorite ongoing story in games: the war of words between Microsoft and Sony over Microsoft’s plan to buy publisher Activision Blizzard. In the latest turn of events, Sony has said that it is worried that, if the acquisition goes through, Microsoft could break future Call of Duty games for PlayStation, either on purpose or by accident. This could make players lose faith in the PlayStation as a place to play Call of Duty.

Eurogamer said that in a new document, Sony listed several ways it thinks Microsoft could hurt Call of Duty or “harm PlayStation’s competitiveness.” These ideas came from the Competition and Markets Authority in the UK.

Sony says that Microsoft’s options include raising the price of Call of Duty on PlayStation, lowering its quality and performance (including by ignoring DualSense-specific features), limiting or not prioritizing investment in multiplayer on PS5 or PS4, or just making the game a Game Pass exclusive.

But Sony’s accusations about technical performance parity are the worst. They say that, “For example, Microsoft could make a PlayStation version of Call of Duty where bugs and errors only show up on the last level or after later updates. Even if these problems could be found quickly, it’s likely that any fix would come too late. By then, gamers would have lost faith in the PlayStation as a place to play Call of Duty.”

Sony goes on to say that any kind of “behavioral commitment” from Microsoft “would be hard,” and it also says that Microsoft “has moved slowly, only gotten involved when they thought the regulatory outlook was getting worse, and preferred to negotiate in the media over working with SIE.”

In a statement given to Eurogamer, Microsoft answered Sony’s claims: “Since the CMA released its provisional findings, we have offered solutions that address its concerns and make the deal better for UK players and game developers. These include a promise that access to Call of Duty will be the same on both Xbox and PlayStation and a promise that Call of Duty will be available to at least 150 million more players on other consoles and cloud streaming platforms once the deal is done. Now it’s up to the CMA to decide if it will block this deal to protect Sony, which is the market leader, or if it will look for ways to get more games to more players.”

How do you feel about Sony’s fears? Would you believe that the PlayStation version of Call of Duty would be just as good as the Xbox version if Microsoft paid for it?

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Consoles

Baldur’s Gate 3 Deluxe, Collector’s Editions Play PlayStation 5 72 Hours Early

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In what is becoming an industry standard, gamers who buy the Deluxe or Collector’s Editions of just-announced-for-PS5 CRPG Baldur’s Gate 3 will get access to the game three days early, on August 28th instead of the 31st worldwide release.

Tempting. But what are a few more days for veterans of the ‘Gate, who have been waiting almost two decades for a sequel to Baldur’s Gate 2: Shadows of Amn, one of the finest RPGs ever?

So, it’s fortunate that the physical Collector’s Edition’s extras are so enticing. Those who pay £224.77, or $269.99 USD, will get early access and the following:

  • A digital copy of Baldur’s Gate 3 Deluxe Edition
  • Custom sticker sheet
  • 25cm Mind Flayer vs. Drow battle diorama
  • 160-page hardcover art book
  • Cloth map of Faerûn
  • Set of D&D-inspired origin character sheets
  • Metal tadpole keyring
  • Magic: The Gathering booster pack
  • Custom-engraved metal d20, plus a
  • Certificate of authenticity

The Deluxe Edition includes 72 hours early access, a playable Bard Song Pack, In-game Dice Skins, an Adventurer’s Puch with consumables, and downloads for the soundtrack, artbook, and character sheets.

Lastly, the Collector’s and Deluxe Editions will include a Divinity: Original Sin 2 content pack.

  • Mask of the Shapeshifter: Allows you to change race and appearance on the fly, inspired by Fane
  • Cape of the Red Prince: Cloak inspired by the Red Prince
  • Lute of the Merryweather Bard: Playable instrument inspired by Lohse
  • Needle of the Outlaw Rogue: Dagger inspired by Sebille
  • Bicorne of the Sea Beast: Headgear inspired by Beast
  • Paintings from Rivellon: Discover a new collection of paintings across the Forgotten Realms

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We’re psyched to play Baldur’s Gate 3. Are you?

 

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