Remember the Virtuix Omni VR Treadmill? It's the promised final piece of the puzzle, of the bold future of gaming that we've been dreaming of. In the form of a omnidirectional gaming treadmill, to fully compliment the Oculus Rift 3D head mounted display.
It's actually gotten a decent degree of publicity, thanks to the various YouTube videos of the thing in motion. Some find the set-up an amusing spectacle while others have had plenty of not so nice things to say. Admittedly, it does seem a tad bit goofy.
Regardless, it hasn't deterred any of its supporters. In fact, said clips may have been a key component in the Virtuix Omni VR Treadmill Kickstarter. Which just launched yesterday, and met its goal (and then some) in just a few short hours.
The amount it was seeking was $150,000. As of this writing, it's already at $472,103. The following is the video that helps to fill that pot:
The Kickstarter page has plenty of details that many might not have known initially. Like how the Omni requires its own dedicated pair of shoes. Guess you are truly no longer just buying an extra controller to have a friend get in on the action these days.
So, how much does it cost to get in on the action? Surprisingly, not as much as one might think. The cheapest option is $299 "DIY OMNI" reward, which is the base plus shoes. The upper support structure is not included, though it is noted that one is absolutely essential, so "don't think you can get away without building one!"
An Oculus Rift is not includes, perhaps obviously, but it does include its own tracking hardware and software, plus there are other VR head mounted displays on the market today. Those who would rather not bother making their own support structure should pledge at the $429 level.
There were several cheaper, early bird levels, priced between $350-$400, but those have all been accounted for. Clearly there's a demand for virtual reality, and the runaway success of the Virtuix Omni VR Treadmill is just another sign of this.
