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Epic exclusive Tetris Effect VR requires SteamVR to run

The virtual reality version of Tetris Effect still requires SteamVR to run, despite the title being an Epic exclusive.

Josh Hawkins

July 24, 2019 12:05 PM

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Update: It looks like all the hype surrounding Tetris Effect VR requiring SteamVR was all for nothing. According to a tweet from Enhance, the publisher for Tetris Effect has released a tweet stating that SteamVR can be used to launch the VR version of Tetris Effect if you're playing on Vive, while Oculus VR can be used for Oculus HMDs. Of course, it is also important to remember that Tetris Effect's VR mode is entirely optional, and you can play the normal HD version perfectly fine through the Epic Games launcher.

Just to clarify re:Tetris Effect PC & VR SDKs:
1. To play in (optional) VR, you can launch via SteamVR (not Steam) for Vive (& some other HMDs that work w OpenVR API), -OR- Oculus VR for those HMD
2. Tetris Effect is VR optional, you can play in 2D w no res or framerate limit! 😘

— Enhance (@enhance_exp) July 25, 2019

If you’re planning on picking up Tetris Effect on PC, then you’ll need to be prepared to play the game through Epic Games launcher. Available as an Epic exclusive, the beautifully crafted Tetris game offers a fully immersive virtual reality mode alongside normal HD play. However, in an intriguing turn of events, this is one Epic exclusive that will require access to Steam to make use of all of the game’s features.

While you can play the normal HD version of Tetris Effect without Steam, to experience the game in virtual reality using the Oculus Rift or HTC Vive, users will need access to SteamVR, Valve’s openVR solution. This seems a bit silly considering that Valve’s online platform is the biggest competitor for the Epic Games Store, however, SteamVR doesn’t actually require you to log into Steam to use SteamVR as it’s basically just a link between Valve’s OpenVR API and the player’s headset.

If you aren’t interested in the VR version of Tetris Effect, then you can experience this unique Tetris experience all from the comfort of the Epic Games launcher. This might not even be something you have to take into account in the future, though. Plenty of Epic Games exclusives have made their way to Steam after some time on Epic’s online store, and we could see the same thing happen with Tetris Effect at some point down the line. For now, though, those looking to dive into the immersive world of Tetris will need to make sure they have SteamVR downloaded and installed on your computer.

For more info on one of the most intriguing Tetris games ever released, make sure you check out our Tetris Effect review. You can also head over to Twitter and make sure you follow Shacknews for more reviews, interviews, and news covering all things gaming and tech.

Josh Hawkins

Guides Editor

Joshua holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Creative Writing and has been exploring the world of video games for as long as he can remember. He enjoys everything from large-scale RPGs to small, bite-size indie gems and everything in between.