Preorders Begin for Virtuix Omni Natural Motion Interface VR Treadmill, Price Set at $499, March 2014 Release Date Targeted for Kickstarter Project [Video]

2013 looks like the year virtual reality in the home will finally take off—the quest to push the technology to the forefront of gaming has begun in earnest.

Earlier in the year, the Oculus Rift was met with enthusiasm by critics, and the Kickstarter-funded virtual reality helmet has intrigued developers with its innovative possibilities for the gaming experience. Now, preorders have begun for the Virtuix Omni Natural Motion Interface, the omnidirectional treadmill that will add further realism to virtual reality gameplay by allowing users to move around the game by using their own two feet.

Anyone with $499 to spare can find the device on the company's website, which claims that the device will ship out to buyers in March 2014. The package comes with the virtual reality treadmill, along with special shoes and a harness to help the device register movement. The $499 does not cover shipping costs, which, according to the website, will range from an additional $60-90. Users will also have to buy a Oculus Rift, a compatible controller, and software separately to actually use the Virtuix Omni, meaning that PC gamers must drop some serious cash to make virtual reality gaming an actual reality. Here's how the company describes their device:

"The Virtuix Omni takes virtual reality to the next level, allowing anyone to stand up and traverse virtual worlds with their own feet. The Virtuix Omni is the first virtual reality interface for moving freely and naturally in your favorite game. Moving naturally in virtual reality creates an unprecedented sense of immersion that cannot be experienced sitting down."

Back in June the omnidirectional treadmill was put on Kickstarter with the goal of raising $150,000, but interested gamers managed to raise $1.1 million by the end of the campaign's run. The technology has promise, and the device combined with the Oculus Rift and other devices allows users to experience games in a whole new way. This is exhibited in the video below, which shows user playingTeam Fortress 2 using the virtual reality technology with very little translation problems. It will be interesting to see how successful the technology is, and if virtual reality gaming can gain a foothold in the coming year and possibly break into mainstream.