HTC today announced consumer availability of Vive Tracker, the tracking module that uses Valve’s Lighthouse tracking standard. The company also announced North American pre-order availability of a number of Vive Tracker accessory bundles that are slated to make their way to consumers in mid-December.
First shipped to developers earlier this year, HTC is now selling the Tracker to consumers with the full confidence that anyone can pick it up and use it. That’s right, it’s not a new version, but it does now at least claim official support for dozens of VR titles and multiple accessories including what HTC today revealed to be Hyperkin’s Hyper Blaster gun, a Racket Sports Set, and a strap system from Rebuff Reality for basic body tracking.
The first Vive Tracker accessory bundles launch today for pre-order via multiple retailers with expected arrival dates of mid-December. The company says it will have more information on international availability later, as for now, the accessory bundles are North America-only. The Vive Tracker itself will be available for pre-order through the official Vive store and its partners for $100.
Hyper Blaster
Hyperkin’s Hyper Blaster, clearly paying homage to the NES Zapper, was first spotted with a Vive Tracker screwed on top back at E3 this summer. HTC says when paired with the Tracker, the Hyper Blaster serves as both a gun and motion controller in integrated games including Duck Season, Arizona Sunshine, The American Dream VR, Operation Warcade, TacticalAR, and Practisim VR.
Sold exclusively through Amazon, the Vive Tracker + Hyper Blaster bundle includes a copy of Duck Season and will set you back $150. Unique to Duck Season, the Blaster is virtually represented within the game world.
In addition to the titles already listed, HTC says they’re working with 10 additional developers to integrate the Blaster by Q1 2018.
Racket Sports Set
Leaked a few days ago on the US-facing HTC Vive site, the Racket Sports Set is targeting the Ping Pong and Tennis-lovers out there with a pair of custom-molded and weighted accessories that supposedly feel like real paddles and rackets. The bundle, which includes both Ping Pong and Tennis handles, a Vive Tracker and a redemption code for Virtual Sports from Vive Studios, will sell for $150. Pre-orders are available today via HTC’s site, Amazon, Abt Electronics, BH Photo, Fry’s, Gamestop, Micro Center and NewEgg, with additional retailers expected in the coming months.
A Racket Sports Set is also available without a Tracker for $80 in case you already own one.
HTC says an additional six titles supporting the Racket Sport Set will arrive by end of year.
TrackStrap
One of the most simple use-cases that arguably has one of the biggest impacts on immersion is body tracking, and with the help of a the Rebuff Reality TrackStraps the Tracker can put your feet, wrist, hip or leg movement into VR experiences—if the game supports it, that is.
A pair of TrackStraps is available now for $25 on Rebuff Reality’s site and includes a redemption code for Redfoot Bluefoot Dancing on Steam, a game inspired by Dance Dance Revolution (DDR) and Audioshield. Games including Island 359, Climbey, Holodance, Goalie VR and High Fidelity either already support Tracker, or will in the coming weeks before launch. See the full list of compatible games here.
HTC is highlighting these three bundles specifically, but you can bet there are many more accessories to come from other manufacturers in the coming months. That said, it’s safe to say if a game doesn’t make mention of support for the Tracker or a specific accessory, you won’t be able to use it. We’ll be bringing you more news on Vive Tracker accessories in the coming months.
