Open Source Virtual Reality (OSVR) is an
open-source software
Open-source software (OSS) is computer software that is released under a license in which the copyright holder grants users the rights to use, study, change, and distribute the software and its source code to anyone and for any purpose. Op ...
project that aims to enable headsets and game controllers from all vendors to be used with any games developed by
Razer Razer may refer to:
* Razer (Canadian TV channel), former name of MTV2, a Canadian digital television specialty service
* Razer Inc., a Singaporean-American computer peripherals manufacturer specializing in PC gaming
* Razer Phone, a smartphone desi ...
and
Sensics
Sensics corporation describes itself as a leader in professional-grade virtual reality displays, also known as head-mounted displays as well as in open-source virtual reality products. Sensics is the co-founder of the OSVR ecosystem and technical l ...
.
It is also a
virtual reality headset
A virtual reality headset (or VR headset) is a head-mounted device that provides virtual reality for the wearer. VR headsets are widely used with VR video games but they are also used in other applications, including simulators and trainers. VR ...
that claims to be
open-source hardware using the OSVR software.
Project information
OSVR has two main and independent parts:
open-source hardware and
open-source software
Open-source software (OSS) is computer software that is released under a license in which the copyright holder grants users the rights to use, study, change, and distribute the software and its source code to anyone and for any purpose. Op ...
. The project is primarily sponsored by
Razer Razer may refer to:
* Razer (Canadian TV channel), former name of MTV2, a Canadian digital television specialty service
* Razer Inc., a Singaporean-American computer peripherals manufacturer specializing in PC gaming
* Razer Phone, a smartphone desi ...
and
Sensics
Sensics corporation describes itself as a leader in professional-grade virtual reality displays, also known as head-mounted displays as well as in open-source virtual reality products. Sensics is the co-founder of the OSVR ecosystem and technical l ...
. Partners in the project include game developers
Ubisoft
Ubisoft Entertainment SA (; ; formerly Ubi Soft Entertainment SA) is a French video game publisher headquartered in Saint-Mandé with development studios across the world. Its video game franchises include '' Assassin's Creed'', ''Far Cry'', ...
and hardware manufacturers
Vuzix. OSVR has requested help with creating Android
Daydream VR Plugin.
The open source software platform allows virtual reality developers to detect, configure and operate virtual reality devices across a wide range of operating systems. It is provided under the
Apache 2.0 license. Since August 2018, the electrical hardware source files are available. The files that have been released so far are under a proprietary,
source-available
Source-available software is software released through a source code distribution model that includes arrangements where the source can be viewed, and in some cases modified, but without necessarily meeting the criteria to be called open-source ...
license.
One of their most popular hardware consists of
virtual reality headset
A virtual reality headset (or VR headset) is a head-mounted device that provides virtual reality for the wearer. VR headsets are widely used with VR video games but they are also used in other applications, including simulators and trainers. VR ...
called the Hacker Development Kit. The first model of the headset was introduced in January 2015 in
CES. Shipping to select developers started in July 2015. Pre-ordering was opened to the general public by October and shipping started by November 2015.
Games
Some of the games with the support of OSVR:
* ''
Elite Dangerous
''Elite Dangerous'' is a space flight simulation game developed and published by Frontier Developments. The player takes the role of a pilot (colloquially referred to as "Commander" or "CMDR") of a spaceship, and explores a realistic 1:1 scale, ...
''
* ''
Pollen''
* ''
Project CARS
''Project CARS'' is a racing video game series developed by Slightly Mad Studios and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment. The franchise was introduced in 2015 and received a sequel in 2017, followed by ''Project CARS 3'' in 2020.
Games
...
''
* ''
Redout
A redout occurs when the body experiences a negative g-force sufficient to cause a blood flow from the lower parts of the body to the head. It is the inverse effect of a greyout, where blood flows away from the head to the lower parts of the bo ...
''
* ''
The Vanishing of Ethan Carter VR''
* ''
VirtualRealPorn
VirtualRealPorn is a company producing virtual reality pornography that was founded in 2013. The company's headquarters is located in Zaragoza, Spain, with additional offices in Granada and Barcelona, where most of the video shoots take place. T ...
''
* ''
War Thunder
''War Thunder'' is a free-to-play vehicular combat multiplayer video game developed and published by Gaijin Entertainment. Announced in 2011, it was first released in November 2012 as an open beta with a worldwide release in January 2013; it had ...
''
See also
*
OpenVR, a library with similar goals (though not open-sourced) by
Valve
A valve is a device or natural object that regulates, directs or controls the flow of a fluid (gases, liquids, fluidized solids, or slurries) by opening, closing, or partially obstructing various passageways. Valves are technically fitting ...
*
OpenXR, an open, royalty-free standard for access to virtual reality and augmented reality platforms and devices
References
External links
*
OSVR at GithubSource code repository for OSVRVideo of OSVR presentation at Boston VR meetup, July 2015An in-depth report of OSVR on GameSpew.com, April 2016
{{Mixed reality
Virtual reality
Virtual reality headsets