Disposables have always been popular in our culture, despite the trend towards recycling and environmentalism. We just like to be able to throw stuff away whenever it breaks or we’re done with it!

Remember when disposable cameras were all the rage? (At least they were when I was growing up.) Now people hardly ever use stand-alone cameras anymore, except for professional photographers.  Obviously times have changed, especially with the acceleration of technology.

Anyway, whether this VR headset we’re about to review is actually intended to be “disposable” is open to debate. Regardless, there’s no question it’s about as affordable as a VR headset can possibly be.
  

I recently had an opportunity to preview the DODOCase VR headset. It’s an extremely affordable and highly functional VR headset made of low-cost materials including pre-cut cardboard, bi-convex lenses, Velcro, and an NFC tag. That’s it. The box is not fancy, but it’s presented well in terms of packaging.

Check out this unboxing video of the DODOCase for the full reveal: 

The headset lends itself to a wide range of possibilities, simply because of the low price point. The advantage of affordability, however, also brings with it a few drawbacks. So let’s be as realistic as possible in listing the pros and cons of the DODOCase.  

One of the biggest things going for the DODO VR headset, of course, is its low price. This headset won’t set you back much, coming in at around $24. By comparison, many competitive models can be priced anywhere from $150 to $500. 

Note that many of the VR headsets listed above require a mobile phone to use, so if you don’t already have one, that’s an extra $300-400. But, of course, a majority of people are already smartphone users, so the market for this headset is obviously huge. 

Last but not least, it’s notable that 98% of the material used to make the headset is from cardboard, which happens to be recyclable. (Smart move, Dodo!)

This is a terrific product for the price, no question. That said, there are a few things that could be improved upon.  First off is the build quality.  Much as I love the idea that these headsets are made from cardboard, I think I’d feel more comfortable having something more durable and rugged. Given the progress of 3D printers lately, there may be some other great low-cost alternatives – possibly models made of recyclable plastics (hint-hint!). 

I could be that I’m just slow, but I think the instructions may have underestimated the build time for the headset (10 minutes). It seemed overly optimistic, since the flimsy material added time by making the assembly more of a challenge than it needed to be.

Lastly, the actual features were a bit limited. But then, there’s always a trade-off that comes with such an attractive price point.  

The VR Headset marketplace is changing rapidly – almost everyday!  If you’re new to GamingWithPops.com, be sure to check out our previous post on VR Headsets in the Video Game Industry! 

None of us has a crystal ball, but it’s clear that exciting things are in store for VR fans. This is still just the beginning for low-cost alternative VR headsets, and I, for one, am looking forward to seeing more from companies like DODCASE.

I’d love to hear your thoughts on low-cost alternative VR Headsets. Sound off in the comments section!

The VR Headset marketplace is changing rapidly – almost everyday! If you’re new to GamingWithPops be sure
to check out our previous post on VR Headsets in the Video Game Industry!

None of us has a crystal ball, but it’s clear that exciting things are in store for VR fans. This is still just the beginning for low-cost alternative VR headsets, and I, for one, am looking forward to seeing more from companies like DODCASE.  

I’d love to hear your thoughts on low-cost alternative VR Headsets. Sound off in the comments section!

When you get into these games, you feel like you’re really IN the game!

Virtual Reality is the ultimate immersion gadget.  It works like this: you step into the world of a video game, look around and freely interact within the environment.  Remember the James Cameron movie, Avatar? Same general idea, much smaller effects budget!

With the proper VR gear, you have almost no limitations as a gamer in how far you can go in escaping reality. However, the technology that would allow for a true Avatar-like VR experience is not quite possible just yet. 

With new and exciting developments like Oculus Rift, the prospect of games designed around VR headsets seem promising.  There’s just one problem – past experiences have made gamers a bit skeptical.  

Many so-called revolutionary gaming gadgets have come and gone over the years. But I don’t see anyone using Nintendo’s Powerglove or Wiimote these days. However, devices like the gamepad have been around since the mid 1980s, with minimal design changes. The popularity of VR headsets will likely continue to rise in the near future.

Speaking of virtual reality, what’s the point of a immersing yourself in a VR world if you can’t interact with it in a physical and intuitive way?  Immersing your mind in a fantasy game world while your body is stuck in the normal world could lead to some comical situations that might abruptly take you out of the experience! 

Don’t get me wrong, modern VR headsets offer an incredible level of immersion.  Most VR offers users the ability to look around in a full 360 degree environment, with newer models offering a full 1080p resolution environment.  

It’s only a matter of time until people get used to the virtual reality experience. Younger generations will probably laugh at their parents, just like we laughed at the clunky old-fashioned 19th century computers and gadgets, that seemed so modern at the time.  

Many large companies have jumped on the VR bandwagon, with several VR headsets scheduled to hit the market in the near future.  Whether the technology will catch on and become a gaming staple for the long run remains to be seen.  From today’s perspective, VR headsets are definitely becoming a trend, but it’s too early to tell whether they’re here to stay.

Early versions of VR headsets were crude in design and often lacked proper funding. Many times VR headsets were perceived as just another gimmick.  Now, however, current technology allows for seamless integration with different gaming platforms where graphics look more completely realistic.  Some companies have started to put their money where their mouth is. Ever since Facebook put down $2 billion for the Oculus Rift technology, more and more companies have begun investing in similar projects, such as Sony with their own VR headset in development.  

There is so much money being invested in this new technology. We’ve seen increased exposure and hype thanks to the YouTube gaming channels and online media outlets. When Sony comes out with their VR headset, we can expect to see many talented developers creating games optimized for this new VR technology. Based just on these two large players investing in VR technology, it looks like the popularity of VR headsets will continue to grow.