Hobbyist makes vr headset and game for Commodore 64

A hobbyist has made VR glasses for the Commodore 64 and an accompanying game. The glasses are equipped with a 5″ LCD and are connected via composite to the antique console. The wearer is shown a 3D effect through side-by-side display.

The creator of the VR64 project is jim_64. He made the glasses by putting a cheap 5″ LCD in a plastic VR glasses without a screen. There is no existing VR software available for the Commodore 64, so he programmed his own game: Street Defender. In the game, the player is on a street corner and the objective is to shoot down any enemies that appear using four different weapons.

The game uses the side-by-side technique for 3d rendering. The perspective of the image for the left and right eyes has been adjusted, so that a 3D effect is created. Unlike modern VR glasses, there is no tracking of the wearer’s head. Looking around by moving the head is therefore not possible.

The creator of the VR64 project has posted a half-hour video online showing how he made the glasses. On his blog he further describes the necessary parts and has placed links to where they can be obtained. The screen cost him $26, the glasses $10. He also devoted a page to the game and made it available for download.