I don't have time to read through the thread today, but I did before the Rift kickstarter was announced, and my impression has always been that the software-distortion-in-compensation-for-simpler-optics[1] idea was already out there when Carmack chimed in.
1. Allowing the screen to be much closer, drastically improving practically achievable FOV.
1. Allowing the screen to be much closer, drastically improving practically achievable FOV.
Here's the thread: http://www.mtbs3d.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?f=140&t=14777