What could be images of the final consumer versions of the HTC Vive virtual reality headset and its controllers have been leaked, with the new designs being a big improvement upon the original developer model.
The designs were posted online, with the headset looking much easier on the eye thanks to its hidden sensors, concealed wires and the removal of the HTC logo, with it also appearing to be slightly less bulky than its previous version.
The controllers have received an even more drastic makeover, with the hexagonal heads replaced by concave, circular design, with a trigger on their underside alongside their trackpads, which are the same that were featured on the Steam Controller. The trigger sees the Vive headset further blur the lines between the mouse and the traditional video game controller, which is becoming an early theme for VR gaming.
Though there is the slim possibility that these images may be fake, if they are the real deal then it’s likely that they are the final designs for the consumer version of the HTC Vive, with the VR head-mounted display set to release in April 2016.
Though the Vive was set to be released late this year, it was announced that HTC had pushed its launch into Q1 2016 in order to add further improvements to the tech. It will now be launching in the same year as the highly anticipated Oculus Rift, which looks set to become the flagship product in the VR world, though the Vive does have plenty of clout behind it given that it’s being co-developed by the illustrious gaming company Valve. With the Vive boasting a SteamVR operating system, pairing it with the hugely popular digital distribution platform, this could prove to be major contender in the VR space – and now it’s good-looking, too.
