Forte Technologies released the Forte VFX1 in 1995 as one of the first consumer virtual-reality headsets for PCs.
The VFX1 was a PC-connected headset with stereoscopic displays, head tracking and a hand controller called the Cyberpuck. It targeted home computer users during an early wave of consumer interest in virtual reality, when hardware was expensive and software support was limited.
Its displays had a resolution of 263 by 230 pixels per eye, and the headset connected through a computer’s graphics and sound hardware. Compared with modern standalone devices, it required extensive cabling and delivered a much narrower visual experience.
The VFX1 is sometimes confused with the Nintendo Virtual Boy, released in 1995. The Virtual Boy was a dedicated Nintendo console with a tabletop design, whereas the VFX1 was a PC-oriented headset intended for simulated three-dimensional environments.