Various companies have been trying to tap into the VR gaming market for a while and some are starting to enjoy quite a bit of success. AlthoughPlayStationisn’t doing all that well in that regard due to a lack of attention given to the still very new PlayStation VR2, Meta just released a new headset,the Meta Quest 3S, in an aim to make VR gaming more accessible than ever, pricing the brand new gadget at just $300 with a brand new Batman VR game bundled with it.
Apple has taken a different approach to VRby launching the Vision Pro. A much more expensive headset that focuses on everyday use rather than gaming alone. VIVE has leaned more towards what Apple has been aiming for with its headsets in the past, placing its focus on using VR for business. However, it’s trying to find a middle ground when it comes to the space between gaming and other uses, as well as the price, via its new VIVE Focus Vision.
Introducing The VIVE Focus Vision
VIVE revealed the Focus Vision, a follow-up to 2021’s Vive Focus 3, in September, and pre-orders for its next headset are now open. If youplace your pre-order before June 02, 2025, you’ll receive a pre-order bonus that demonstrates VIVE’s renewed focus on VR gaming - Capsule Critters, theBlu, and XRWorkout. Three VR games compatible with the Focus Vision without the need for aPC, and also your choice of game pack of PC-compatible VR games. There are three packs to choose from with the likes of Metro Awakening VR and Taskmaster VR among the games included in them.
MR Fun Pack
That the Focus Vision can function without being connected to a PC or a console is one of the biggest differences between it and some of its main VR competitors. While the Quest 3 needs a PC to function, and the PS VR2 needs either a PC or aPS5, there are games that work with the Focus Vision that need the headset and nothing more. A big deal for someone who wants to step into the world of VR gaming but doesn’t necessarily want to buy an expensive console or new PC capable of running VR games along with it.
The Focus Vision’s library is pretty limited, of course, butit’s compatible with SteamVR too. That means a much bigger library of VR games is also available to you with the Focus Vision should you choose to tap into it. Pre-order the headset andyou will also get the wired streaming kitneeded to play PC games on the Focus Vision for no additional cost, so another reason to secure a headset ahead of release if you’ve been eyeing one up, or if you’re learning about it for the first time reading this and it’s ticking all your VR boxes.
If you’ve been in the VIVE ecosystem for a while and you own one of its prior VR headsets, you’ll want to know what exactly makes this new one better than that Focus 3.The biggest improvement of all is the addition of color passthrough. The newest and biggest plus in present day VR, color passthrough is the ability to see the world around you without having to remove your headset. You might be in a situation where you need to see what’s going on around you right away, and with the Focus Vision, you can do that with the press of a button.
If you do already own a Focus 3, any accessories you have will be compatible with the Focus Vision. This isn’t a PS VR situation where nothing can come with you to the upgraded headset.
You can also remove the headset pretty quickly, and between feeling ill while playing a game in VR, having to tend to a real-life emergency, or just needing out of a horror game because it’s freaking you out, knowing you can return to the real world - and not just via color passthrough - is an important plus. The Focus Vision has a quick release behind its battery case you can use to loosen the headset so it can be removed right away.
Back-Up Batteries And Placing Your Pre-Order
Speaking of its battery, battery life on an improved product is always a concern.The Focus Vision will run for about two hours on a full battery, but that’s not the best part. The headset also hasa built-in battery which will keep the Focus Vision going for an additional 20 minuteseven after the main one has depleted. That means no running out of power at inopportune times, unless you’re so into what you’re playing that you forget to change the power pack after it has run down and you burn through the reserve battery life too.
HTC Vive Focus Vision
The VIVE Focus Vision is the first headset from VIVE that leans into gaming just as much as it does business. It’s also the first VIVE VR headset to include color passthrough so you may see the world around you if needed without having to remove it. It has 2448 x 2448 per-eye resolution and the lens will adjust to the distance between it and the wearer’s eyes automatically.
The Focus Vision has 128GB of storage, which isn’t much, but there isa slot available for a 2TB SD cardif you do plan on loading up the device with lots of games and whatever else you’ll need for its many uses. You can place your pre-orders through the link in the box above withthe consumer edition priced at $999, or a business edition for $1,299. As far as I can tell, the headset you get appears to be more or less the same regardless of which edition you choose. However, the business edition is recommended for commercial use and comes with an improved repair plan as well as Vive’s deluxe audio strap.
