I had to read this article like four times to make sure I was reading what I was reading. https://www.forbes.com/sites/paultassi/2020/04/11/half-life-alyx-should-have-been-vrs-big-moment--it-isnt/">https://www.forbes.com/sites/pau...

This might be a hot take, but I would like to make some points here.

It’s 3 in the fuckin morning and imma start a Twitter rant.

“It just is not good enough where it’s going to convince players to buy a VR set/rig specifically for it,” the author says, then mentioning the Index hasn’t been “readily available.”

1. It can be played on any PCVR headset

2. There’s this thing going on called a pandemic

The pandemic hit the VR industry hard because a lot of your components for HMDs are from China.

If ya can’t beat a pandemic and keep things operating as normal, how the hell do you expect new HMDs to be rEaDiLy AvAiLaBLe?

“But that’s likely as high as it will ever get.”

All single player games taper off in concurrent players but okay, bro.

Not to mention the game averages about 11-15 hours of gameplay.

It is an immersive, highly active action game that is not something you can just easily play again and again and again and again.

So yeah, people are gonna beat it and move on to Animal Crossing and FF7.

Correct me if I’m crossing a line here, but it sounds like the homie is mad because he hasn’t played it.

Also re: pandemic

Valve did not develop and release this expecting a pandemic.

Did you expect a pandemic?

People who were planning on buying an HMD most likely had to back out for a multitude of reasons including:

- unavailable inventory due to pandemic
- financial reasons

If a game that was expected to be the “turning point” for VR came out right after *checks notes* 16 million fucking people lost their jobs, how would anyone in their right mind expect them to be like

YEAH IMMA GO BUY A VALVE INDEX!!!!

People are struggling to keep up with insurance payments, get healthcare, keep a roof over their head before, during and after this game’s launch and you’re out here like, “NOT ENOUGH PEOPLE BOUGHT IT BUT ITS THE HIGHEST RATED GAME OF 2020 SO IT MUST BE A FAILURE LOL”

Get outta here with that nonsense.

I love virtual reality. I really really do. I am grateful to work in this industry, and I enjoy watching it grow every year.

Is it completely 100% accessible? No, but it has taken a giant leap in that direction.

With what the Oculus Quest has achieved - and I’ve been saying this since the beginning, ask anyone I work with - whatever the Quest 2 is, is what’s going to really push for a huge surge in casual/newbies buying a headset. It is very possible the next standalone HMD is cheaper..

..than both next generation consoles.

The Quest Link has given people the ability to have access to the Quest AND Rift library! It gave people a chance to experience VR and save up and join the PCVR game later.

But hey, what the fuck do I know? https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="😂" title="Face with tears of joy" aria-label="Emoji: Face with tears of joy">

Uhhh okay

The HTC Vive has had a wireless adapter for how long now? Invalid argument.

Rift S and Quest are the same price. PSVR is $50 cheaper on its own and there are ways to use it with SteamVR.

People HAVE been saying HL:A is why you should get into VR lmfaoo

THATS https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="👏🏼" title="Clapping hands sign (medium light skin tone)" aria-label="Emoji: Clapping hands sign (medium light skin tone)"> BECAUSE https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="👏🏼" title="Clapping hands sign (medium light skin tone)" aria-label="Emoji: Clapping hands sign (medium light skin tone)"> THE https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="👏🏼" title="Clapping hands sign (medium light skin tone)" aria-label="Emoji: Clapping hands sign (medium light skin tone)"> VAST https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="👏🏼" title="Clapping hands sign (medium light skin tone)" aria-label="Emoji: Clapping hands sign (medium light skin tone)"> MAJORITY https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="👏🏼" title="Clapping hands sign (medium light skin tone)" aria-label="Emoji: Clapping hands sign (medium light skin tone)"> OF https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="👏🏼" title="Clapping hands sign (medium light skin tone)" aria-label="Emoji: Clapping hands sign (medium light skin tone)"> THE https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="👏🏼" title="Clapping hands sign (medium light skin tone)" aria-label="Emoji: Clapping hands sign (medium light skin tone)"> GAMING https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="👏🏼" title="Clapping hands sign (medium light skin tone)" aria-label="Emoji: Clapping hands sign (medium light skin tone)"> PUBLIC https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="👏🏼" title="Clapping hands sign (medium light skin tone)" aria-label="Emoji: Clapping hands sign (medium light skin tone)"> ARE https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="👏🏼" title="Clapping hands sign (medium light skin tone)" aria-label="Emoji: Clapping hands sign (medium light skin tone)"> SUFFERING https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="👏🏼" title="Clapping hands sign (medium light skin tone)" aria-label="Emoji: Clapping hands sign (medium light skin tone)"> THE https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="👏🏼" title="Clapping hands sign (medium light skin tone)" aria-label="Emoji: Clapping hands sign (medium light skin tone)"> EFFECTS https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="👏🏼" title="Clapping hands sign (medium light skin tone)" aria-label="Emoji: Clapping hands sign (medium light skin tone)"> OF https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="👏🏼" title="Clapping hands sign (medium light skin tone)" aria-label="Emoji: Clapping hands sign (medium light skin tone)"> A https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="👏🏼" title="Clapping hands sign (medium light skin tone)" aria-label="Emoji: Clapping hands sign (medium light skin tone)"> GLOBAL https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="👏🏼" title="Clapping hands sign (medium light skin tone)" aria-label="Emoji: Clapping hands sign (medium light skin tone)"> PANDEMIC

I feel bad for Valve and the people who poured their soul into this game. The success of HL:A, while still huge, was heavily impacted by this seriously unfortunate event that has effected the entire planet.

HL:A will shine, and get an even bigger spotlight. Just not right now.

I let someone borrow my Rift S to play it. They don’t own VR, they work in gaming, and aren’t quite sold on VR yet. Five hours in I asked how they liked it.

“This is really fucking awesome. This is what I want from VR.”

I just feel people like the homie that wrote this are just being salty to cause drama, be petty, and get a reaction.

Why the fuck you doggin on folks for enjoying the shit out of something while the world is crumbling around us? Deadass have nothing better to do?

If I was a fucking billionaire, I’d go make the HMDs myself and give them to all the folks in the world that wanted an HMD.

Because VR is so important that goes way the fuck beyond Half-Life: Alyx.

When all this is over, take your HMD to an assisted living facility.

I haven’t done it myself, but my boss has. He told me it was something that brought him an insane level of happiness. That it was amazing to watch older folk experience VR.

They got to go somewhere else when they’ve been locked in the same place for god knows how long.

I am deeply sorry from the bottom of my heart to everyone out there who had plans or could have gotten the necessary equipment to play before the effects of COVID-19 hit.

It breaks my heart. I want everyone to enjoy VR. I want everyone to be immersed in these beautiful worlds.

And now it is time for the shameless plug.

I know it’s not the same thing. I know it’s not you getting to play it, but Jamie recorded HL:A in story mode without commentary for those who couldn’t/didn’t want to play in VR, and still get to enjoy the story and experience.

Here is the YouTube playlist. I hope this helps fill the FOMO from HL:A some of you are feeling.

If I could, I’d make it all go away, and give everyone a headset. I truly mean that. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLDXBKX3q25UyJvk0ViMNnaHQNl-5ijsFs">https://www.youtube.com/playlist...

I’m sorry, but that article is bad. The hot take is bad. Saying it’s the highest rated game of the year and tied with last years highest score and still putting it down is also very bad.

So please, take my hand as I extend it up to you, and allow me to help you get down from that high horse. Join us, here back on Earth, and take this difficult period in all of our lives one day at a time.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go play Animal Crossing because I want to relax with some mindless entertainment that requires no effort.