Oculus Rift Virtual Reality Headset Gets a Release Date and New Touch Controller

The Oculus Rift virtual reality headset has finally been given a release date of Q1 2016, while the company has also unveiled its new Oculus Touch Xbox One controllers.

Announced just before the start of the annual LA-based video gaming E3 show, the new handheld controllers will work with Microsoft’s console and enable gamers to carry out a variety of virtual tasks within a game, such as picking up a gun, shooting a bow and arrow and pointing and waving. As well as analogue controls, the new controllers feature haptic feedback.

However, the Oculus Rift headset will ship with a standard Xbox controller when it goes in sale next year, with the new Touch controller available separately.

The original developer version of the Oculus Rift headset was crowdfunded on Kickstarter way back in 2012, so it’s taken a long time for the firm to finally perfect a model to go on sale to the general public.

The new version is lighter and includes more adjustments than previous models, which should make it a better fit. The latest model also features a pair of detachable headphones.

Facebook-owned Oculus also announced that it’s working with a number of developers to produce ‘Made for Oculus Rift’ games with confirmed titles including VR Sports Challenge, Gunfire Games and the flagship Eve Valkyrie - an Elite-style space-based shooter.

Pre-orders for the Oculus Rift are due to start this year but so far, no prices have been given.