General VR Catch-All

Want to use AMD FidelityFX SuperResolution (FSR) or NVIDIA Image Scaling (NIS) to render your VR games at lower resolution and then intelligently upscale the output?

Someone has created a mod to allow you to do exactly that in SteamVR games: openvr_fsr.

Basically you'll replace the openvr_api.dll file in a given game's install folder with the one from this mod, which also will include a config file for configuring FSR/NIS.

Here's a video about using it:

(This video was made when the mod only did FSR. NIS was added in just a couple months ago. It's just one additional setting in the config file to flip to using NIS instead of FSR, though obviously NIS will only work on NVIDIA cards)

There's a bunch of other videos out there too, usually with titles like "DOUBLE YOUR VR FPS WITH THIS ONE SIMPLE TRICK", most of which don't seem to really understand what is happening and also kinda gloss over the image quality question. The video I linked is much better in that regard.

This mod is pretty simple to experiment with - just rename a given game's openvr_api.dll file to openvr_api.dll.bak or something similar to keep it around. Uninstalling just requires deleting the mod's openvr_api.dll and openvr_mod.cfg files and renaming your original DLL back to openvr_api.dll.

The mod README notes a couple games (Half Life: Alyx and Star Wars Squadrons) won't work with this mod, but most games that use SteamVR and Direct3D 11 should. I'm definitely going to be doing some experiments with this, and anyone trying to run games on less than high-end GPUs probably should check it out.

pandasuit wrote:

I’m going to try going back to the original strap for a bit and see how I feel. Now that I’ve got better padding for my face it might work out better. Will find out soon.

I did and it was way better than the Bobo VR M2 strap. The original strap stayed snug and in place during very active games. The VR Cover face interface helps this be a lot more comfortable than it was with the original interface. Pretty sure I'm returning the Bobo VR M2 now.

I'm enjoying my VR time more, but I've encountered the problem that my headset keeps sliding ever so slightly downward as I move around--the the point where I'm not looking through the optimal spot and everything becomes increasingly blurry until I pause and readjust. I've played with the side straps and top strap, I've adjusted the angle of the headset/strap arms but nothing seems to work. It happens with the standard foam headrest piece, with a silicone cover, and while wearing and while not wearing the facial sweat bands. I presume I just haven't gotten the right fit yet, but I'm not sure what else to try or if I'm still just not making it tight enough despite the facial pressure I feel.

Have you tried loosening the head strap so the back sits on a lower part of your skull, and then ratcheting up the tension?

Seems counterintuitive at first, but if you don't have the back below the widest part of your skull, it wants to ride up.

You might also try wearing a toweling sweatband or athletic skullcap - that'll change where the pressure points sit and add a bit more grip compared to smooth skin, while also helping manage sweat and fogging.

Ultimately, you might just need to ratchet it down tighter. If you don't have "VR face" after a half hour with it on, it's probably not tight enough.

Jonman wrote:

Have you tried loosening the head strap so the back sits on a lower part of your skull, and then ratcheting up the tension?

Seems counterintuitive at first, but if you don't have the back below the widest part of your skull, it wants to ride up.

I'll give that a try first. Thanks

Antichulius wrote:
Jonman wrote:

Have you tried loosening the head strap so the back sits on a lower part of your skull, and then ratcheting up the tension?

Seems counterintuitive at first, but if you don't have the back below the widest part of your skull, it wants to ride up.

I'll give that a try first. Thanks

Note that while going tight enough to have VR face is probably the best thing to do for very active games, to keep it in place, it's not necessary for casual play. For more casual games if you have VR face you've got the headset too tight.

A_Unicycle wrote:

I need to recommend Blaston. It's fantastic.

2 people stand 6 feet apart on a platform, guns spawn around you and you fight 1v1 until someone's health meter reaches zero. The guns shoot fairly slow bullets, so it 's about mindgames and trying to corner your opponent with clever spacing. You can shoot down bullets, throw your guns to block shotgun spray, or just dance around your platform trying to not get hit.

Where it gets interesting is building your loadout. Each gun is very unique, and has a set respawn timer. If you go all-out with powerful weapons, you'll end up with high respawn timers and nothing to do but dodge. Alternatively, if you take a bunch of fast weapons, you won't have enough damage to down your opponent. It's a very interesting mix!

Initially, I avoided it due to the heavy focus on multiplayer. However, microphones are turned off by default and it's actually become really interesting watching other players gesture at the start and end of a round!

It's fun, it's a decent workout, and it's a stationary game which makes it accessible to most people. At the $10-$15 range, it's hard to go wrong.

It could be nice to line up some GWJ matches!

Blaston just announced they're doubling the price in a week as they have a fairly robust roadmap to follow over the next 6-12 months. But they're also running a 20% discount on the old price until then. So get in now if you wanna get in.

Great game!

Thanks for the tip. Picked up my copy.

HITMAN 3 – Year 2 Reveal

IMAGE(https://www.ioi.dk/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/HITMAN_Trilogy_1080-1536x864.jpg)

HITMAN VR on PC

Release: January 20

HITMAN VR comes to PC, and once again we’re supporting the entire World of Assassination trilogy. If you can access HITMAN 1 and HITMAN 2 within HITMAN 3, you can play it all in VR.

And most importantly: STEAM

F**k Epic Store.

*Legion* wrote:

F**k Epic Store.

Only if they'll give me $10 off the price.

Jonman wrote:

But they're also running a 20% discount on the old price until then. So get in now if you wanna get in.

I don't know about 20%, but pulling this up on the Oculus store shows a price of $9.99 and with the code Oculus30 and tax the total comes to $7.48.

Rezzy wrote:
Jonman wrote:

But they're also running a 20% discount on the old price until then. So get in now if you wanna get in.

I don't know about 20%, but pulling this up on the Oculus store shows a price of $9.99 and with the code Oculus30 and tax the total comes to $7.48.

I shoulda said, that discount was on Steam

I finally finished Half Life Alyx and now I want more!

Spoiler:

That ending got me excited about Half Life again. I recently replayed most of the Half Life games but from a very cynical (there will never be more) perspective. But now the way they ended Alyx at least makes me hope they are going to move forward again. Still seems unlikely but I can hope.

*Legion* wrote:

And most importantly: STEAM

I mean, that was expected when they said they had a year-long exclusive deal with Epic. That’s probably more on IO than Epic, if anything.

trueheart78 wrote:

I mean, that was expected when they said they had a year-long exclusive deal with Epic.

It was also expected with Tony Hawk 1+2 but it's been 16 months and we're still waiting for any indication of it coming to Steam.

Just because an Epic exclusive lasts 1 year doesn't mean you can take a Steam release for granted 12 months later. I don't anticipate it anymore until an actual announcement happens.

*Legion* wrote:
trueheart78 wrote:

I mean, that was expected when they said they had a year-long exclusive deal with Epic.

It was also expected with Tony Hawk 1+2 but it's been 16 months and we're still waiting for any indication of it coming to Steam.

Just because an Epic exclusive lasts 1 year doesn't mean you can take a Steam release for granted 12 months later. I don't anticipate it anymore until an actual announcement happens.

Fair point.

Just started my free trial of Supernatural and the Tiffany Haddish medium intensity flow workout kicked by butt. I'm not sure yet whether it's worth the monthly fee but I'm going to give it a try. Pretty sure it counts as an "exercise subscription" enough that my employer will end up reimbursing it through our perks program.

I'm glad I already added the exercise VR Cover face interface to my Quest but I think I really need one of those sweat wicking face masks mentioned above. I'm going to try a sweat wicking head cover that has a band over my forehead.

I did the light Tiffany one today and it was pretty good. Then I did a medium Mark and it kicked my ass. He's a sadist I think. Welcome! I hope you find it worthwhile. I did the yearly sub and it's been so worth it.

I'm curious about the fitness apps, but I'm wondering what they do that custom Beat Saber maps can't. I play a lot of fitness style maps with plenty of squatting, twisting and swinging. Always gets me sweating hard.

It's the subscription fee that makes me cautious. I guess no harm in trying to demos!

I've tried PowerBeats VR and it is a pretty solid workout, just a bit dull. I can definitely recommend it if you're wanting some good cardio!

https://store.steampowered.com/app/8...

Thrill of the Fight has been my VR cardio darling of late.

Thrill of the Fight is amazing and so cheap for what you get. I'm a big fan.

A_Unicycle wrote:

I'm curious about the fitness apps, but I'm wondering what they do that custom Beat Saber maps can't. I play a lot of fitness style maps with plenty of squatting, twisting and swinging. Always gets me sweating hard.

It's the subscription fee that makes me cautious. I guess no harm in trying to demos!

I've tried PowerBeats VR and it is a pretty solid workout, just a bit dull. I can definitely recommend it if you're wanting some good cardio!

https://store.steampowered.com/app/8...

It's the licensed music and in-game instructors that Beat Saber lacks. The workouts are curated and created by a team to get your whole body moving and can do so in 360 degrees.

I need to try some of the exercise mods for Beat Saber to see what it's like as I have no experience there to compare to Supernatural.

The base Beat Saber game is not great exercise tho. It encourages you to play faster and use less of your arm to play well. The parts where you have to move require almost zero movement to get through. There is no incentive to swing hard but a lot of incentive to make small flicking motions. I can easily beat most songs on Expert in beat saber and not break a sweat at all. I could force myself to use my full arm in swings and do far more elaborate movements to try to make it more of a workout I guess. I expect that the workout mods specifically do force motions that are closer to real exercise.

I was using a combination of Thrill of the Fight, Pistolwhip, and Ringfit for exercise before. Pistolwhip is pretty fun but gets repetitive. The other two are a little fun. I need to play Supernatural more to see if it stay fun or gets stale. Supposedly they add new songs and routines to it constantly so I'm hoping that helps.

Yeah they add new workouts almost daily, if not every day.

Unfortunately, Supernatural isn't available in Australia. I assume it's a music licensing issue. Instead, I started a free trial for FitXR.

I liked it a lot more than I expected! I didn't think I'd get so much out of having a coach yelling pre-recorded lines at me, but it helped keep my form steady and encouraged me when I was getting tired. Having a leaderboard with other players (even if they are pre-recorded sessions/ghosts) is a nice way to keep me pushing through a workout.

I did 20 minutes of boxing and 10 minutes of HIIT, both were a lot of fun and I'm excited to add this to my regular exercises. I'm even thinking of canceling my gym membership due to COVID making that sort of thing a bit dangerous at the moment. This is very convenient and, while I miss weight lifting, I can't deny this is some of the most fun I've had doing cardio...ever!

$15AUD a month doesn't excite me too much, especially when I bought Thrill of the Fight completely for that same price, but I'll give it a little bit of time and see how much the weekly changes keep me coming back. I'm pretty much sold despite my wariness over the subscription model.

pandasuit wrote:

I need to try some of the exercise mods for Beat Saber to see what it's like as I have no experience there to compare to Supernatural.

The base Beat Saber game is not great exercise tho. It encourages you to play faster and use less of your arm to play well. The parts where you have to move require almost zero movement to get through. There is no incentive to swing hard but a lot of incentive to make small flicking motions. I can easily beat most songs on Expert in beat saber and not break a sweat at all. I could force myself to use my full arm in swings and do far more elaborate movements to try to make it more of a workout I guess. I expect that the workout mods specifically do force motions that are closer to real exercise.

I was using a combination of Thrill of the Fight, Pistolwhip, and Ringfit for exercise before. Pistolwhip is pretty fun but gets repetitive. The other two are a little fun. I need to play Supernatural more to see if it stay fun or gets stale. Supposedly they add new songs and routines to it constantly so I'm hoping that helps.

I really enjoy this particular mapper's style. My favourites in that list are Exhaust Hype, Wellerman, and BRACE FOR FRICKING IMPACT (which you can click on her username to find). While a lot of the harder maps do indeed require you to flick your wrists a lot, this mapper does some fun things with walls that force you up and down and to each side as you swing, effectively removing that playstyle for a lot of the song.

You can also just...not flick and force yourself to do nice big swings wherever you can

I also really love this map for Rasputin

Lots of swinging back and forth, a long squat section, and it's a lengthy song so it's a bit of an endurance test.

Do most of these exercise mods/maps for Beat Saber contain questionably obtained licensed music or do some use the official music?

Veloxi wrote:

I did the light Tiffany one today and it was pretty good. Then I did a medium Mark and it kicked my ass. He's a sadist I think. Welcome! I hope you find it worthwhile. I did the yearly sub and it's been so worth it.

Medium intensity Dwana Retrofit playlist today. At the end of song 3 she says lets start the next song and I'm like "oh $h!t lady im done already go away" but I saw it was Mony Mony by Billy Idol so I said "hell yeah". At the end of that song she says "one more song" and I'm like "seriously f*&% off im done" but it was Here I Go Again by Whitesnake and I was singing at the top of my lungs the whole song. Now I'm a melted mass of human. But I'm excited to do more! 2 days is still way way too early to tell if I'll stick with it but so far this is the most fun workout I've had and surprisingly I actually like the trainers talking through it. I expected I would hate that. I'm trying to stick to medium intensity as I don't want to overdo it too quick. My competitive nature keeps telling me to go right to the hardest ones. My competitive nature can be bad for me.

Edit: let me temper my own excitement a bit here by saying yes I am totally in the honeymoon phase with a new shiny toy.

This time I was wearing a terry cloth sweatband skull cap and it helped a ton keeping the sweat off my face. There are likely better ones but this is the one I am using:
https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B07...
IMAGE(https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81FoNUk078L._AC_SL1500_.jpg)

pandasuit wrote:

The base Beat Saber game is not great exercise tho. It encourages you to play faster and use less of your arm to play well. The parts where you have to move require almost zero movement to get through. There is no incentive to swing hard but a lot of incentive to make small flicking motions. I can easily beat most songs on Expert in beat saber and not break a sweat at all.

I'm genuinely surprised to hear this. Expert was the point at which BS became legit cardio for me, and Expert+ veers into HIIT levels of heartrate. And I'm reasonably fit, this isn't a case of me breaking a sweat putting the headset on.

I must have an exaggerated form compared to you.