Earlier this year, CCP Games removed the VR headset requirement for its online game, EVE Online: Valkyrie. Another game has gone the same route. Star Trek Bridge Crew can now be played with or without a virtual reality headset.
Ubisoft and Red Storm understood that the majority of gamers do not have VR headsets “which makes gathering a crew rather difficult”. To solve the issue, a non-VR update has been released. This means that anyone with a PlayStation 4 or PC can now game together with or without headsets.
It’s rather odd given that many games are adding virtual reality to existing games or are developing standalone VR titles from the ground up. However, despite the fact that headset prices are decreasing, most gamers simply do not have the headsets, thereby necessitating the removal of the requirement if a studio wants its game to be successful.
Star Trek Bridge Crew
Here’s the official note from Ubisoft:
Star Trek: Bridge Crew challenges four players to work together to pilot a Federation starship through dangerous missions, but until now, it’s only been playable through VR hardware. That changes with the latest Star Trek: Bridge Crew free update, which removes the requirement for a headset and opens the door for non-VR players to join in and boldly go where no one has gone before.
Using a controller or a mouse and keyboard, players with and without VR headsets can be seamlessly matched together to pilot the U.S.S. Aegis (or U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701) as Starfleet officers, or play alone as captain. The update also includes enhanced Windows Mixed Reality support, adding more options for players to explore uncharted space.
