AOC, perhaps better known for their monitors, has announced their first virtual reality head-mounted display (HMD) at gamescom in Cologne.

Virtual reality is still being pushed as being “the next big thing” but, HTC Vive and Oculus Rift aside, things are still moving slowly.

Details on the AOC VR headset is still pretty scarce but it looks like it is set to be part of the OSVR (Open Source Virtual Reality) initiative. AOC say that this means that the headset should be compatible with existing SteamVR games. Which is a sensible move.

The current AOC VR headset boasts retractable headphones, which are slightly different in design to the Oculus Rift’s removable headphones. Everything else seems to be pretty much on a par with the Rift, including the displays. AOC’s VR headset boasts two OLED displays with a resolution of 1080×1200 per screen and a 90Hz refresh rate, just like the Rift.

AOC VR UK price

Looking around the interwebs it looks like the first prices to be bandied around were very competitive indeed. Actually, half the price of the Oculus Rift, which to us in the UK would be around £275 (the Oculus Rift recently had a UK price hike, and now costs £550).

PC Advisor got in contact with the company to find out how much this will cost. They said that the headset would cost close to 399 EUR in Germany when it’s released later this year. That translates more around the £345-350 mark.

For AOC, the entry into the HMD market is a natural step, says Stefan Sommer, Director Marketing & Business Management EMEA:

As a subsidiary of the world’s largest display manufacturer, we at AOC have always been at the forefront of developments in the display sector, be they desk- or head-mounted. I am sure that our new VR headset is only the beginning of a fascinating development and that AOC customers can look forward to even more exciting products in the not too distant future.”

More news as I get it.