The Oculus Rift VR headset is now much more affordable than ever. This is thanks to the Facebook-owned Oculus VR temporarily reducing the price of the Rift plus Touch controllers. Which means you can buy the whole package for just $399 for the duration of the "Summer of Rift".

After several false starts, virtual reality finally seems to be coming of age. The technology has caught up with the ambition, and there's a multitude of uses both practical and fun for VR. The only stumbling block may be the price of entry. At least that's what Oculus VR is hoping...

A Killer Price for the Oculus Rift?

Oculus VR has announced that the Rift + Touch package is now available for just $399. The Rift is the main virtual reality headset, and the Touch is two handheld controllers to help you navigate the virtual realm into which you'll be entering. This represents $200 off the regular price.

This new price is only temporary for the next six weeks. However, after a year on the market the Rift received a permanent price cut in the spring, and Oculus is set to hold its fourth annual Connect convention in the fall, so another permanent price cut could be on the cards then.

Such a generous price cut has fueled rumors that Oculus is planning to release new hardware in the near future. However, Oculus VP of content Jason Rubin told The Verge, "Somebody who goes out and buys a Rift [on sale] is not going to find themselves with hardware that’s outdated any time soon. The Rift is going to be driving a lot of enjoyment for people for many years."

It should be noted that you'll need a good PC to run the Oculus Rift, so don't place an order without checking the minimum specs. Having said that, Oculus recently changed those minimum specs, meaning you can now buy an Oculus-ready PC for $499. Another barrier removed.

A Bargain Price for a Niche Audience

At $399 the Oculus Rift is a bit of a bargain, especially with the Touch controllers thrown in for good measure. However, this is clearly only aimed at people who have been tempted to enter the world of virtual reality but have so far been put off by the price. Which is the minority.

This new price point is unlikely to make any difference to those who are still struggling to see the appeal of virtual reality in all its forms. VR is slowly but surely entering the mainstream, but in the big scheme of things it's still a niche technology looking for a killer application. Unless I've got it all wrong.

Are you interested in the new virtual reality hardware? If so, is the Oculus Rift your first choice of hardware? Or do you prefer the HTC Vive or PlayStation VR? Is this new price point likely to make you buy an Oculus Rift? Please let us know in the comments below!