IBM Corp has signed a reseller agreement with Hooh, UK-based Superscape VR Plc to market Superscape’s personal computer-based virtual reality authoring software. This puts IBM’s Elysium immersive virtual reality system in an interesting position. The Elysium originally sold for around $49,000 at the end of 1994. This kit included an 80486DX4-based personal computer with high- end graphics boards from Virtuality, headset and hand controller device. IBM said this price has since dropped considerably, but the company was not able to say by how much. Superscape’s VRT software will run on a standard personal computer with or without immersive goggles and is priced at around 3,000 British pounds, making it competitive on price and system to the Elysium. IBM would not be drawn on whether the Superscape software would now provide a better package than the Elysium. We are selling a service, not flogging technology at the moment, said Andrew Knox, manager of IBM’s virtual reality business for Europe. IBM will provide whichever system is most suitable for the customer, he added. Our business is in providing added value, services and solutions. The agreement with Superscape covers sales in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Further pacts covering the US and Asia are expected in a few weeks.
