Microsoft Stores, GameStop to Offer Demos, Take Orders
HTC is providing more consumers with the ability to experience virtual reality with its Vive system first hand through a relationship with Microsoft stores and GameStop locations across the U.S. and in Canada.
Individuals will have the opportunity to try Vive – a first-of-its kind virtual reality system developed in partnership by HTC and Valve – along with select experiences from the more than 120 titles that are available now on Steam, and place reservations for June orders directly with retailers.
The Microsoft Flagship store in New York, Microsoft at Bellevue Square in Washington and Microsoft at City Creek Center in Utah are the first retail locations offering the Vive demo experience. Individuals will have the opportunity to try different types of SteamVR content featured on an Alienware Area-51 PC. Microsoft at Park Meadows Mall in Colorado will have demos available later this week. Additional Microsoft stores are slated to roll out in April with up to 30 stores outfitted this year.
GameStop will offer Vive demonstrations at approximately 10 locations by mid-April. The demonstrations are open to the general public for individual sessions to experience a host of virtual reality content available on Steam.
The full list of participating U.S. store locations and timing will be available at htcvive.com.
Priced at $799, the Vive virtual reality system was designed from the ground up for room-scale VR, allowing true-to-life interactions and experiences thanks to an adjustable headset displaying stunning graphics, two wireless controllers with HD haptic feedback and 360˚ absolute motion tracking. For a convenient and safe experience, Vive incorporates essential functionality from your phone and features a front facing camera that blends physical elements into the virtual world. Working in concert, this system immerses you visually, physically and emotionally in the virtual world.
“This is without a doubt the year for virtual reality,” said Dan O’Brien, VP of HTC Vive. “Partnering with the nation’s largest, most respected retail stores is going to give every individual an opportunity to experience what virtual reality was truly meant to be – fully immersive and able to interact with content in a completely new way.”
