For years XR companies have been striving to create and build solutions to complement virtual reality (VR) headsets, so that content can be immersive as possible. Yaw VR showcased its first motion simulator back in 2018, offering a rather unique device to those through crowd-funding platform Kickstarter. Last week the company launched a new campaign for its latest device, Yaw2, managing to easily surpass its initial goal of $100,000 USD on the first day.
Moving away from the small, portable, half dome-shaped original, the Yaw2 is a far more professional-looking beast designed not only for hardcore gamers but also for general work and relaxation use cases. The base motion simulator hardware provides a 40° motion range for roll, and 70° for pitch movements whilst the optional Yaw Platform module adds 360° rotation.
Compatible with most major headsets including Oculus Quest, Oculus Rift, HTC Vive, Valve Index, PlayStation VR, and Windows Mixed Reality headsets, when it comes to content the Yaw VR Game Engine supports over 20 titles whilst Yaw’s Sim Racing Studio supports over 80 racing titles. These include the likes of Project CARS 2, Star Wars Squadrons, DiRT Rally 2.0, Microsoft Flight Simulator, and Touring Karts.
This level of immersion obviously does come at a price, with a variety of options depending on how serious (money you have) you are when it comes to your gaming habit. To start off with the Yaw2 comes in standard, Pro and Pro Arcade versions, the base model supplied with 500w power, adjustable basic desk, and foot holder, static LED lights, and a mobile controller app. The Pro model ups those stats to 700w, a stronger structure, USB connectors, programmable LED lights, and an audio output.
With the Early Access offers quickly selling out the base Yaw2 model is going for $1090 without a seat. To get the full 360° experience you’ll need to go for the $1470 tier. When it comes to the Yaw2 Pro these prices jump to $1490 and $2020 respectively. Yaw VR sells its motion simulator without a chair as standard because a lot of serious gamers – you need to be serious for this kind of kit – may already have a chair they love, plus it increases the cost of shipping Yaw2. But the company will supply a chair if you so wish as an add-on. If you do own a nice gaming chair all you need to check to ensure compatibility is that the underneath is flat.
In five days the Yaw2 Kickstarter has managed to hit $900,000 and the campaign doesn’t end until June. So there’s plenty of time to reach that magical $1 million mark. As the crowdfunding continues VRFocus will keep you updated.
via Mint VR