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Last year they introduced there first VR product for the consumer market, the Trimersion system a head-mounted wired VR system costing a meager $595, more then $300 less then there next competitor. Now spring forward to this E3 and 3001 AD has a new product, a lighter and 100% wireless VR headset and gun that uses a small base station to connect to the console or PC. Now I, like most people, would expect to pay more for a device when it has been made not only lighter but wireless, but against the grain of expectation 3001AD has lowered the price to just $395. We were informed that the device has been in development for more then 3 years and will work with more then 100 titles on the Xbox, PS2 and PC.

Now like many gamers I am skeptical of VR products. Most don’t deliver and won’t work with existing hardware and games. Heading in to the booth proper we were met by one of the two lovely ladies working the booth. One helped Norin put the headset on and show him how to use it. As Norin started using it I had to admit he looked down right goofy, but watching the screen as he played Unreal he was certainly far more accurate than I expected. He picked up the game fast. I commented on how goofy he looked in the headset and was told that was one of the reasons news crews loved it they could take there hosts down and make them look foolish with out their knowing it. I love a good first person shooter and I am always interested in something that will give me an advantage, so I was looking forward to giving this a try. Putting on the headset and grasping the gun I was at first slightly disoriented but as the game progressed I was sold on the advantage a system like this can give. My reaction time was greatly increased since I was not having to move a mouse and keyboard to react rather, I was only needing one device to point and shoot and was using my head and body to look around.

We were informed that the system uses a tracked head mounted display system to follow the player’s movement, and a gun that takes the place both keyboard and mouse. The system is fully plug and play and will include a full warranty. Currently 3001AD is manufacturing all there wired models but soon they will be moving all manufacturing to China to reduce costs. The floor models we had the opportunity to use were all prototypes, but we were informed they were pretty close to what the final product should look and feel like. I have to admit they sold me in to wanting a unit. If your interested look for it this August.