Has anybody ever seen this?

I took my son to Toys R Us yesterday and saw this staring at me from a shelf. This thing looks ridiculously close like a Virtual Boy head unit.

Check out that image in the center of the disc/reel in the second picture, thats just pretty darn close…

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View Master Virtual Reality? I think that is definitely a nod to the Virtual Boy. There’s no way that’s a coincidence.

It’s like a mix between the original design and the Virtual Boy. I like it. I wonder what makes it Virtual Reality, I’m assuming the pictures are just stereoscopic 3D instead of the old 2D pictures they used to use. Then, they could have just called it View Master 3D. So maybe it is a nod to the Virtual Boy =P

Here’s a pretty good video demonstrating the View-Master Virtual Reality…

speedyink wrote:
It’s like a mix between the original design and the Virtual Boy. I like it. I wonder what makes it Virtual Reality, I’m assuming the pictures are just stereoscopic 3D instead of the old 2D pictures they used to use. Then, they could have just called it View Master 3D. So maybe it is a nod to the Virtual Boy =P

I don’t know what kind of View Master you’ve been using, but they’ve always been 3D for me…

This thing, though, is just an overpriced, plastic “Google Cardboard” viewer you put your phone into. A bit ironic, given that the Cardboard thing was obviously designed around the View Master concept, and now VM themselves are playing catch-up! 😛

I think the “reels” are some kind of NFC tag, too.

RunnerPack wrote:
I don’t know what kind of View Master you’ve been using, but they’ve always been 3D for me…

Whatever one from the 80’s. You’ll have to forgive me, it’s been over 20 years since I’ve used ones, I can’t remember the details clearly.

I suppose I should have looked this thing up, I just saw the wheels and thought it was the same basic principle. No idea it was a google cardboard type deal.

Okay that’s actually pretty cool, and for the fact it’s Google cardboard with a VB feel makes it worth the purchase.

OK I’m ordering one now seems pretty cheap and worthwhile from what I’ve read so far. Once it arrives I’ll let you know though.

First thing I’m going to try is some VB mock-up screenshots to see what they’d look like.

Another idea I found interesting is – if you have a Bluetooth controller this could make some interesting applications with Game Maker, for someone like me that can mock up little things but not comfortably code on actual hardware.

I suppose you can do all that with Google Cardboard but I never got on so well with it and the flimsy feel.

L___E___T wrote:
Another idea I found interesting is – if you have a Bluetooth controller this could make some interesting applications with Game Maker, for someone like me that can mock up little things but not comfortably code on actual hardware.

The only problem there is that it has no strap. It’s like a normal View Master in that you have to hold it up to your eyes like a pair of binoculars. You can find ones with head straps on Ebay, etc.

Also, does Game Maker make Android/iOS apps? I’m pretty sure Unity does, although you might have to pay for that privilege.

Yeah for sure I’m going to need to get a strap made, drill a hole for headphones and stick some VB stickers on there or something 🙂

Useful thread for anyone getting one:

I’m a New Proud Owner of the View-Master VR Headset…AMA
byu/mr-android- inGoogleCardboard

I’ve ordered mine but it’ll be a while before it arrives due to Easter.

RunnerPack wrote:

speedyink wrote:
It’s like a mix between the original design and the Virtual Boy. I like it. I wonder what makes it Virtual Reality, I’m assuming the pictures are just stereoscopic 3D instead of the old 2D pictures they used to use. Then, they could have just called it View Master 3D. So maybe it is a nod to the Virtual Boy =P

I don’t know what kind of View Master you’ve been using, but they’ve always been 3D for me…

I actually remember View Master reels with 2D images as well. Maybe it was just a copycat though.

My money is on coincidence.