According to IGN and Polygon, it seems as if Oculus has at long last committed to a release window for its virtual reality headset the Oculus Rift and we’re to expect it in Q1 2016!

Sources for this news is unclear, so treat with caution for the moment, but reputable news outlets IGN and Polygon are reporting that Oculus are today announcing the release of the consumer version (CV1) of the Oculus Rift headset.

Update: The IGN story looks now to have been pulled, with a 404 error at the above URL now showing. However, since then, Engadget has also published the news too.

Update 2 (06/05/2015 12:48 GMT): IGN page is now back.

Update 3 (06/05/2015 13:05 GMT): Seems the original source Looks like we have confirmation in this tweet from Oculus VP of product Nate Mitchell:

Further, the blog post presumably referred to by previous sources has now appeared here.

According to both sources, Oculus have stated that the retail virtual reality headset will be largely similar to the Crescent Bay headset, the feature prototype revealed at Oculus’ inaugural ‘Connect’ conference in September last year and which has since been demonstrated at trade shows.

Exact specifications of the consumer hardware is as yet unknown, but we know that the Crescent Bay does include dual display panels and uses fresnel lenses. Other than that, we know from the prototypes the unit includes sub-millimeter optical positional head tracking extended to 360 degrees over the DK2.

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We’re waiting for official confirmation from Oculus before breaking out the champagne, but it does seem at long last the road to commercial virtual reality will really hit it’s first major waypoint at the close of 2015 / opening of 2016. Let the hype train run!

This story is breaking – we’ll add details as we receive them.

Featured Image credit: Engadget

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Based in the UK, Paul has been immersed in interactive entertainment for the best part of 27 years and has followed advances in gaming with a passionate fervour. His obsession with graphical fidelity over the years has had him branded a ‘graphics whore’ (which he views as the highest compliment) more than once and he holds a particular candle for the dream of the ultimate immersive gaming experience. Having followed and been disappointed by the original VR explosion of the 90s, he then founded RiftVR.com to follow the new and exciting prospect of the rebirth of VR in products like the Oculus Rift. Paul joined forces with Ben to help build the new Road to VR in preparation for what he sees as VR’s coming of age over the next few years.
  • Stray Toaster

    It’s about time Oculus gave us a release window. Now game developers can work towards specific release dates.

    Looks like SONY will be the last one out the gate unless they fast-track the Morpheus in response to this development.

  • ElectroPulse

    Nice! Hopefully they will be able to stick to that window… I need to start saving up for my next gaming rig upgrade to run the thing smoothly :)

  • Peter73

    God email from oculus. Its official !!!