Razer has opened preorders for the HDK 2, a VR headset made by its open-source VR initiative OSVR. The $399 headset will start shipping on August 12th, and if you order before July 28th, you’ll get two free VR games as well: the shooter Descent: Underground and racing game Radial G. Its predecessor, the original lower-resolution HDK, will remain on sale for $299.
Razer is taking preorders for the OSVR virtual reality headset
The Linux of VR
The Linux of VR
is a senior tech and policy editor focused on online platforms and free expression. Adi has covered virtual and augmented reality, the history of computing, and more for The Verge since 2011.
OSVR, which is co-led by Razer and VR company Sensics, is focused on the same kind of tethered VR as Oculus, HTC, and Sony. But right now, the HDK 2 probably isn’t a great fit for most people considering buying a VR headset. OSVR hasn’t announced any motion controllers, although the HDK 2 will work with third-party peripherals. Its price — $200 lower than the Oculus Rift — sounds good until you realize you’ll still need to pay for a full gaming PC, and you won’t get easy access to Oculus’ library of exclusive games the way you would with a Rift.
Despite being sold to consumers, the HDK 2 is still a device that’s probably best for developers interested in the open source OSVR platform itself, or anyone who already has a gaming PC and just wants the cheapest headset on the market. If that sounds like you, head over to the preorder page at your leisure.
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