DOOM: BFG Edition playable via VR headset at E3 2012

Bethesda and id brought a virtual reality unit to E3 2012 to promote DOOM: BFG Edition, which has drawn rave reviews from everyone who's experienced it.

There are two clear messages coming out from press accounts of the tech - that's it's astoundingly good, and that nobody has any idea what John Carmack is talking about when he explains it.

Speaking to Eurogamer, Carmack revealed that some of the code he used to make it all work was recycled from programming he'd done for his aerospace company, Armadillo.

According to PC Gamer, the headset tracks head movement only, with players using a control pad to actually play the game, and is cobbled together from a ski mask, held together with duct tape. It's not Carmack's own device, but works on the same principles.

The tech is unlikely to see commercial release soon, but a kit could be made available to hobbyists for about $500.

It all sounds quite extraordinary. Follow the links above for a wealth of information; Gamesradar also has a great (and entirely baffling) video interview with the legendary programmer.