Virtual reality (VR) is an exciting new technology with tremendous near and long term implications for society. While not mainstream yet, VR is on its way towards becoming the next major computing platform along with augmented reality. There are now movies, books, YouTube channels, websites, commercials, and more on the topic of virtual reality. The VR wave is coming, so we built an industry guide to help you find the resources to learn all about the technology’s past, present, and future.
From highlighting the best head mounted displays and virtual experiences to our favorite VR websites, books and more, our VR starter kit gives you a one-stop shop towards a deeper understanding of what all the VR hype is about and how you can stay ahead of the trend.
Head Mounted Displays (HMDs) to Buy
Cheap cardboard VR headsets or 3 degree of freedom (DoF) HMDs are not capable of simulations worthy of compelling immersion. To be sold on the future of VR, you have to try these 6-DoF headsets:
- Oculus Rift ($349) – Requires an Oculus Ready Gaming PC but is the best value HMD with top quality VR experiences on the market. Similar in quality is the HTC Vive, but those two stand head and shoulders above Windows MR and PSVR.
- Oculus Quest ($399) – Coming in Spring 2019 as the first standalone 6DoF HMD (like the Rift but without the need for an $800+ PC). Our suggestion would be to wait until the Quest arrives to buy an HMD unless you have a gaming PC for a Rift.
Must Try VR Experiences
These are the essential 6-DoF virtual experiences that will open your eyes to the limitless possibilities of immersion and simulation inside virtual reality.
- Oculus Dreamdeck (Free)
- The best short demo to show someone VR for the first time. (The T-Rex will leave your knees shaking.)
- Oculus First Contact (Free)
- Fun tutorial on how to use your real hands in a virtual world to experience “presence”.
- Beat Saber ($19.99)
- Everyone’s favorite VR rhythm game. Arguably #1 must have VR game, especially with the custom songs mod loaded.
- Robo Recall (Free)
- Most polished VR first-person shooter that will make you put away your Xbox controller.
- Bullet Train (Free)
- Our favorite VR first-person shooter demo to give newcomers a taste of intense VR action.
- Henry (Free for a limited time)
- Pixar-esque, Emmy-winning 360-degree animated short film.
- Google Earth VR (Free)
- Fly and walk around the world in virtual reality. A great example of how VR is a much better way to check out a location than a 360-degree photo on the 2D Google Earth from your computer screen.
- Tilt Brush (Free)
- Paint in 3D space with virtual reality. The room is your canvas.
- Rec Room (Free)
- One of best multiplayer gaming experiences to play everything from Laser Tag to Disc Golf with friends and strangers.
- VR Chat (Free)
- A very, very early example of the Metaverse (which we explain all about here). The quintessential VR social experience out to date.
For more, check out the top-selling lists on the Oculus and Steam stores.
VR YouTube Channels
- Virtual Reality Oasis
- We recently interviewed Mike from the VR Oasis channel about what it takes to become a full-time YouTuber.
- UploadVR
- Oculus
- Nathie
- Cas and Chary VR
- Tyriel Wood
- YouTube’s Official VR Channel
VR Podcasts
VR Websites
- UploadVR
- VRScout
- Road to VR
- Palmer Luckey Blog
- Oculus Blog
- HTC Vive Blog
- Loup Ventures
- Here’s an entire list of the top 50 websites with VR content
VR Articles to Read
- VR Terminology Glossary
- Is VR Dead or Just Getting Started?
- Why I’m Excited for VR in 2019 (Oculus)
- The Metaverse Explained Part 1: An Inside Look
- The Metaverse Explained Part 2: Why It Matters
- The Metaverse Explained Part 3: Economics
- Walmart – How VR is Transforming the Way We Train Associates
- Virtual Reality Technology Helps Surgeons Practice and Prepare
VR Reports
- VR/AR Global Investment Report & Outlook 2018
- 2016 Goldman Sachs VR/AR Report
- The Venture Reality Fund Industry Landscape
- 2018 VR Arcade White Paper
Newsletters to Subscribe to
Reddit Threads
Facebook Groups
Twitter Accounts to Follow
- @UploadVR
- @hmltn
- @VRScout
- @RtoVR
- @PalmerLuckey
- @brendaniribe
- @StanfordVR
- @OculusRift
- @hbarra
- @boztank
- @natemitchell
- @Jason_Rubin
- @ID_AA_Carmack
- @htcvive
- @AGraylin
- @kentbye
- @philiprosedale
- @Scobleizer
- @vr_oasis
- @NathieVR
VR Companies to be Aware of
Books to Read
- Ready Player One
- Snow Crash
- The History of the Future: Oculus, Facebook, and the Revolution That Swept Virtual Reality
- Experience on Demand: What Virtual Reality Is, How It Works, and What It Can Do
- Future Presence: How Virtual Reality Is Changing Human Connection, Intimacy, and the Limits of Ordinary Life
- Charlie Fink’s Metaverse – An AR Enabled Guide to AR & VR
Film to Watch
- Ready Player One (2018) – Directed by Steven Spielberg
Special thanks to Mike Cussell from Virtual Reality Oasis and Justin Massion from VirtuOS for their contributions.
Anything you think we should add? Let us know by sending an email to pat@deepwatermgmt.com
Disclaimer: We actively write about the themes in which we invest or may invest: virtual reality, augmented reality, artificial intelligence, and robotics. From time to time, we may write about companies that are in our portfolio. As managers of the portfolio, we may earn carried interest, management fees or other compensation from such portfolio. Content on this site including opinions on specific themes in technology, market estimates, and estimates and commentary regarding publicly traded or private companies is not intended for use in making any investment decisions and provided solely for informational purposes. We hold no obligation to update any of our projections and the content on this site should not be relied upon. We express no warranties about any estimates or opinions we make.