Meta’s new VR device “Meta Quest Pro”, which promotes the Metaverse business, has been released.
As the name suggests, it is a new model of the “Meta Quest” series, but while the conventional “Meta Quest” is affordable, “Meta Quest Pro” is priced at 226,800 yen. This is the highest price not only in the conventional “Meta Quest” lineup, but also in the entire VR device genre such as HTC VIVE and Play Station VR.
This time I bought such “Meta Quest Pro” out of my own pocket. Therefore, I would like to review how it differs from conventional VR devices.
High-end VR device for creatives “Meta Quest Pro”
First of all, the reason Meta Quest Pro is so expensive is because it’s intended for creative use, not entertainment. In fact, with the release of this work, Adobe has already announced support for the software “Substance 3D Modeler” for 3D modeling in VR space and has already released it.
I bought it because I was interested in 3D modeling in VR space. The author is Wah Co., Ltd. (https://wuah.jp/) and is an indie game developer. He has a DIY style in which he plans and designs games by himself, creates materials such as graphics, background music, and sound effects, and even programs them.
When creating graphics for a game, we go through everything from 2D illustration to 3D modeling. For this reason, I have been using 2D graphics software such as “Photoshop” and “CLIP STUDIO PAINT” and 3D graphics software such as “Blender” and “3D Coat”. For these reasons, I have been interested in creating graphics in VR for a long time, and the release of “Meta Quest Pro” was a good opportunity.
“Meta Quest Pro” is not only compatible with VR graphics software, but also designed for creatives in terms of specifications. The resolution is 1800 x 1920 on one eye and there is no big difference from “Meta Quest 2”, but the processing chip is equipped with Snapdragon XR2+. In addition, even the included Touch Pro controller is equipped with Snapdragon 662, improving the tracking accuracy of where the controller is.
In addition, it will also feature an open structure. Most common VR devices have a shape that completely wraps around the eyes. On the other hand, “Meta Quest Pro” is shaped like a head visor, and there is a gap.
Easy to use with a sense of openness!Attractive VR device for creative use
From here, how was it when you actually used “Meta Quest Pro”? I will write regarding whether I was satisfied with the price of nearly 230,000 yen.
Before touching on the feeling of use, I would like to introduce my VR history so far. This is because the feeling of using a device changes depending on what kind of device you have touched up to that point.
I have been using VR devices since around 2016, and the first one I touched was “Hacosco”. The so-called “smartphone VR” is a type of VR that uses a smartphone for head tracking. Rather than a VR device, it’s a supporter-like device for fixing a smartphone to your head.
After that, I started writing reviews on VR media on the web, and touched on “Oculus Rift” and “HTC VIVE”. He personally owns “GEAR VR” and “PlayStation VR”. He has touched VR devices such as “Oculus Rift” and “GEAR VR” made by Oculus, the predecessor of Meta, but this is the first time he has touched “Meta Quest”.
(The image is “GEAR VR”)
By the way, following completing the initial settings of the device, the feature of “Meta Quest Pro” that you can immediately see is the MR expression. MR is a word that means “mixed reality”, and it is an expression that displays virtual world information overlaid on real world information.
Meta Quest Pro captures images of the real world with a camera attached to the main unit and displays them overlaid on the UI. “Meta Quest” seems to have this feature, but “Meta Quest Pro” is in color.
However, the resolution is low and noise-like fluctuations occur, so unfortunately there is no feeling that the menu is displayed in the real world! The impression is that “the menu is synthesized once morest the image of the real world”.
However, personally, I had a good impression just by saying “the menu is synthesized with the image of the real world”. Because there is no sense of isolation from the real world.
As I wrote earlier, the general VR device has a structure that completely wraps around the eyes, so it feels like being blindfolded. Of course, it gives you a strong sense of immersion in the virtual world, but on the other hand, you feel a little uneasy until the VR device’s monitor wakes up. It’s really small, but it’s still stressful for me not to know the surrounding situation.
But Meta Quest Pro eliminates this stress because you can see the real world. This is an advantage that I personally cannot ignore.
Well, the first app I touched this time is “Gravity Sketch”. Software for creating graphics in VR space. I’ve used graphic software for PC so far, but this is my first experience drawing in a VR space.
Since the picture is drawn in the VR space, the drawn line is a 3D model. For this reason, you can freely change the angle and position even following drawing.
However, recently, even 2D graphics software can change the line following drawing if it is drawn in vector format. However, in the case of “Gravity Sketch”, it is intuitive that you can grab it directly with your hand. Of course, I wrote that it was directly by hand, but in reality, you can grab it by moving the controller and pressing the button.
However, the sensation is the same as if you were holding it with your bare hands. it’s amazing.
When I draw a 3D model, I end up creating a low-polygon model for use in the game. In this case, there are two approaches.
One method is to reduce the number of polygons following creating a high polygon model with sculpting software such as “ZBrush” or “3D Coat”. The other method is to use 3D software such as “Blender” to process primitive figures such as rectangles and spheres and finish them as low polygons.
The advantage of the former is that it can be handled intuitively, just like kneading clay. The latter has the advantage of being able to create an accurate design as if drawing a blueprint while imagining the polygonal state following completion.
In the case of “Gravity Sketch”, I felt that I had both of these advantages because I might touch and process primitive figures directly. Once you get used to it, I think the quality and speed of 3D modeling will improve considerably.
By the way, for creatives, the specs are higher than for the general public. So naturally games and entertainment apps work too. I’m an indie game developer, so of course I love games.
So of course I played games. This time I chose “After the Fall” and “Beat Saber”.
“After the Fall” is a VR-FPS that explores a world where a large number of zombies appear. It’s a “Left 4 Dead”-like FPS where you act in groups of four and defeat a large number of zombies with guns.
Playing FPS in VR, not just After the Fall, is less difficult and gives a greater sense of accomplishment. The reason is that you can move the gun directly with your hands.
In the case of general FPS, the gun is operated with the mouse or the analog stick of the gamepad. Rather than operating the gun, it would be better to operate the aiming. Therefore, the operation is indirect.
However, in the case of VR, you can aim with your hand holding the gun directly, so you can aim faster and more accurately. Also, it is interesting that the degree of freedom is high.
For example, in a non-VR FPS, you can’t shoot the temple of the enemy in front of you from the side. This is because movement of the sight is limited to vertical and horizontal two dimensions.
However, in VR, you can turn the gun sideways, so you can do this. And even faster! This shouldn’t be funny.
In addition to this, I felt comfortable. Meta Quest Pro has a thinner body thanks to the pancake lens, so it doesn’t feel as heavy as other VR devices. Moreover, since there is no connection with another device such as a PC, there is no cable, so there is no sense of restraint.
Best of all, the open design prevents heat buildup. I’ve used other VR devices so far and felt the heat. I felt that it was difficult to play for a long time in the heat because the heat builds up when I use it.
This point was cleared in “Meta Quest Pro”, and it was not a pain at all to play for a long time. fun.
Furthermore, “Beat Saber” was able to realize this advantage. “Beat Saber” is a rhythm action game in which you slash cubes flowing through the VR space to the rhythm.
In addition to slicing cubes to the music, sometimes you have to physically move your body to avoid giant blocks. This makes you feel like you are dancing.
In other words, you will have to move your body quite violently. If so, heat can easily build up, and the cables attached to the head are annoying. However, with Meta Quest Pro, I don’t have to experience such discomfort, so I realized that I can enjoy it more than playing on other devices.
After using graphics software and games, I am personally very satisfied. Then, when it comes to the price of 226,800 yen, I think it would be difficult if the usage was limited to VR graphics software and games.
However, in the future, I plan to develop content for the Metaverse and VR games as an indie game developer. He has already registered as a developer with Meta. All things considered, he thinks the high price is justified.
In other words, the impression is that it is appropriate as a “necessary investment as a developer”, so it is still expensive to get your hands on the premise that you want to touch VR applications normally.
Will VR and Metaverse develop in the future? Further communication and ease of use are the keys!?
I wrote that “We are planning to develop content for the Metaverse and VR games,” but the important point here is, “Will the Metaverse and VR games become popular in the future?” If it does not become popular, it will not be possible to generate the expected profit even if it is developed.
This argument has been repeated many times before. In other words, it can be said that the spread is not progressing easily.
Why hasn’t it become more popular? There are two main reasons for this in my opinion. That is, “to be trapped in one’s world” and “to take time and effort”.
“Being alone in the world” means that there is no need for communication. For example, smartphones are premised on communication via phone conversations and chat tools. Therefore, it is easy to think, “I have to have one because my family and friends have it.”
On the other hand, as for the VR device, the main reason for purchasing it was to enjoy the world of virtual reality alone, so the only reason for purchasing was the individual’s desire to “experience the VR world”.
On the other hand, “troublesome” is a very broad term. First of all, it is necessary to buy a special device called a VR device, and it must be used by connecting it to a PC or game console. In today’s world where you can enjoy games and videos as soon as you open your smartphone, the preparation hurdles are high even though you can have a somewhat rich experience.
For example, I think that “Beat Saber” is a wonderful game, but if it takes time and effort to set up a VR device and launch the game, I would say, “Is a rhythm action game for smartphones okay?” There will be more than a few. Modern entertainment has become so hassle-free that it can be enjoyed in spare time or in bed before going to bed.
However, when I touched “Meta Quest Pro”, I felt that there was room for the above two points to be resolved. The Metaverse promoted by Meta Corporation will be the perfect solution to the problem of being trapped in a world of one person.
And Meta Quest Pro solves the “trouble” as well. Just take it out of the charger and use it. This ease of use is the same for “Meta Quest”, but “Meta Quest Pro” feels easier because you don’t have the feeling that your view is blocked by the open type, and you can see the surrounding situation with MR expressions.
The difficulty is the price, but this point will be reduced in accordance with the advancement of technology and promotion of popularization in the future. I would like to look forward to the new general-purpose VR device “Meta Quest 3”, which is said to be released in 2023.
(The image is a screenshot from the “Meta Quest” official website)
The only thing I’m worried regarding is the part that has nothing to do with the main unit. As of October 2022, there was a problem related to payment in the Meta Quest Store. It is a problem that the credit card is not authenticated, and even if it is authenticated, it is canceled.
I also had this problem and entered multiple payment methods such as credit card and PayPal, but none of them were accepted. In the end, I managed to solve the problem by contacting the support, but it took a long time to solve the problem because there seemed to be few support people who understood Japanese.
Up to this point, it happened when I purchased the main body of “Meta Quest Pro”, but following that, I might not register my credit card even at the “Oculus Store”, which is the app download store. This is solved by registering PayPal as a payment method instead of a credit card.
These are not direct hassles related to the VR device itself. However, it is certainly a factor that hinders comfort. Many people will give up if it seems that the purchase will take time and effort.
I am one of those who wish for the development of Metaverse and VR, and I am a person who is trying to develop my own game for “Meta Quest”. For this reason, in order for him to succeed, he first wants Meta and Meta Quest to succeed as well. That’s why I want you to fix the payment function of the store as soon as possible.
By the way, if you are planning to purchase “Meta Quest Pro” main unit from now on and a phenomenon occurs where you can not register a credit card, you should ask for support at that time. It should be faster to solve than thinking regarding input and changing it yourself.
Sentence/Kazuhiro Tanaka
