How to Play Non-VR Games in VR and Level Up Your Gaming Experience

Want to play your favourite game on a giant screen? In this article we’ve got all the deets on how to use your VR headset to play non-VR games.

Let’s be honest: we all love the idea of throwing on our VR headset and dropping into some gaming, but sometimes, we just want to kick back and play some non-VR games. Well, here’s the good news: you can do exactly that with your VR headset! Imagine playing Elden Ring on a virtual cinema-sized screen while lying in bed. Intrigued? You should be.

Can You Play Non-VR games in VR? – Virtual Desktop: Your New Best Friend

Whether you’re rocking an HTC Vive, Meta Quest 2, or Valve Index, Virtual desktop is your new best friend. This handy app lets you stream your PC to your VR headset, transforming it into a gaming powerhouse. It’s like sitting in front of a gigantic monitor that takes up your entire field of vision.

Setting Up Virtual Desktop

Virtual Desktop is available on most VR headset stores, and setup is a breeze. Here’s how you do it:

Download and Install: Purchase Virtual Desktop from your VR headset’s app store (whether you’re using Meta Quest, Oculus Rift, HTC Vive, or another device). Then, install the companion app on your PC.

Connect Your Headset: Fire up the Virtual Desktop app on your headset and connect to your PC via Wi-Fi. Pro tip: ensure you’re using a 5GHz network for smoother streaming.

Start Gaming: Once connected, you can launch any game on your PC and play it on a massive virtual screen within the VR environment. Trust me, playing Cyberpunk 2077 this way is an experience you don’t want to miss.

How To Play Non-VR Games on Quest 2

If you’re not keen on paying for an app, Meta has you covered with Air Link. This feature lets you wirelessly connect your Meta Quest 2 to a gaming PC, effectively turning it into a virtual monitor for your favourite non-VR games.

Getting Started with Air Link

Air Link might sound like wizardry, but it’s surprisingly simple to set up:

Update and Enable: Make sure your Meta Quest 2 and the Oculus PC app are updated to the latest versions. Enable Air Link in your headset settings.

Pair Your Devices: On your Quest 3, navigate to the Quick Settings menu, select Air Link, and pair your headset with your PC.

Launch Your Game: After connecting, open your game on your PC. Voilà! You’re now playing on a virtual screen that feels like sitting in the best seat of a digital IMAX theatre.

Cloud Gaming: The Future Is Now

If you’ve got a decent internet connection, you can play high-end games on your Meta Quest 3 without even needing a gaming PC. Services like Xbox Cloud Gaming and NVIDIA GeForce NOW let you stream games directly to your headset, turning it into a virtual screen.

How to Use Cloud Gaming on Meta Quest 2

Here’s the lowdown on making Cloud Gaming work for you:

Access a Cloud Gaming Service: Use the Meta Quest browser or download a cloud gaming app like Xbox Cloud Gaming (Beta) if available.

Choose Your Game: Sign in to your account, browse the game library, and select your game. It’ll start streaming to your VR headset.

Play Anywhere: Since it’s all cloud-based, you can game from pretty much anywhere with a solid internet connection. Whether it’s Halo Infinite or Fortnite, your VR headset just became the ultimate portable gaming rig.

Ready To Game?

If you’re ready to play non-vr games in VR or are looking for a powerful Virtual Reality Gaming PC to boost your performance, Overclockers UK has you covered!

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