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[Ishan]

people wear helmets when cycling, or ski goggles when skiing. We aren't talking massively heavy equipment - this is easy on, easy off, large pair of goggles level.

As someone who spent ages modding a Sony HMZ to try and make it comfortable, the OR devkit is light as a feather.

one is a safety thing. I dont want to bust my head when i fall. Its the same argument as why we use seatbelt .. and god knows there was a backlash when they were made mandatory ... point on that is life/safety issues are totally different.


If youre comparing VR to sunglasses ..... errr I dunno one is i guess somewhat altered view for convenience one is different experience without the eyes sensing the "real" world ... eh dunno...

 

[trinest]

The topic says it all. 3D didnt take off cause no one liked the glasses. OR seems amazing from impressions. But why are so many ppl convinced that VR will take off with OR or the rumored sony VR solution. Its a I have to stick something on my head . I dont want to do it. And I'm not the only gamer who feels this way. And many many casuals feel the same way. So why is this such a big deal all of a sudden.

Touch screens didnt take off till it was intuitive. Thats why stylus phones failed and the iphone worked. I'm pretty sure the current VR trend wont take off ...

Have you used a Rift? Its like the second coming of Jesus.

 

[DBT85]

It is incredible how short sighted some people are. Don't think in term of video games.

I agree on this. For educational purposes it could serve incredibly well. Travelling through the human body, exploring the stars, etc etc, could all be great uses for it.

Just not for me, in my home, in my pants, on my sofa.

 

[Brashnir]

The gaming nerd populace likes to be wowed by technology.

When you use one of these devices, they have a wow factor to them.

Of course, that only really matters for a couple hours, and the negatives of the technology stick around forever. That will be hard to overcome from a mass market standpoint.

 

[Ishan]

"I have never tried it but I already know I don´t like it because of (minor inconvenience)."



Woman will never like this game, woman like fitness, Candy Crush, hanging out with friends and scrapbooking.



For a forum dedicated to video games, sometimes some of you have arguments like soccer moms or confused old grannies. You could have been robbed while you´re a gaming vegetable! It´s going to suck you soul out! AD&D is made by satanists! I lost my son to Second Life!

Err to me thats not a minor thing . maybe to you. Not to me.

 

[lifeexpectancy]

They psychological underpinnings of all this are a little less concrete than you'd probably like, if your statements are anything to go by.

The reason you experience that "stomach-dropping sensation" is because confusion between various parts of your nervous system, specifically those responsible for equilibrium and kinesthesis in relation to your sight. Basically, humans are such strongly visual creatures that all of our other senses interface with our sight; that's why you find it harder to keep your balance with your eyes closed, for example.

Above, when I said "acceptable VR" I didn't mean in the sense of "not being somehow offensive to individual tastes or preferences". Rather, I'm referring to having sufficient quality that your brain will accept it as being valid visual input and convince the rest of your senses to come along for the ride, which in turn causes your body-positioning and equilibrium to be warped and creates the sensation of being "somewhere else" and experiencing things that are not happening.

I get you. It makes sense. Hell, some folks can't even read a book while riding in a car because their brain needs the visual input of being in motion to reconcile it with the feeling of forward momentum. My prior statements might seem a bit ignorant of the intricacies of the interplay between visual input, your inner ear, and your brain, but I get all that. I studied A&P quite extensively thinking I might go to med school before deciding it wasn't worth it, since I can make lots of money as a nurse with much less schooling. (Granted, not as much as an M.D. makes by any stretch, but plenty for my low-brow sensibilities)

I think this is one of those things where YMMV. For folks like myself that are extremely desensitized to motion sickness and vertigo, it might be more difficult for us to suspend disbelief and immerse ourselves in the game enough for the visual stimuli to create the sensations you describe.

If it's anything like this guy though, it *could* be interesting: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pVdZh03ju6U

"I'm not sure if girls get it or not, or if it's a penis thing..." Classic!

 

[REMEMBER CITADEL]

And where are yours? :/

You think that the mainstream, who are still apprehensive about video games, can't wait to lose themselves in virtual worlds? Come on now. It won't be socially acceptable for a long time, if ever.

 

[Ishan]

I get you. It makes sense. Hell, some folks can't even read a book while riding in a car because their brain needs the visual input of being in motion to reconcile it with the feeling of forward momentum.

I think this is one of those things where YMMV. For folks like myself that are extremely desensitized to motion sickness and vertigo, it might be more difficult for us to suspend disbelief and immerse ourselves in the game enough for the visual stimuli to create the sensations you describe.

If it's anything like this guy though, it *could* be interesting: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pVdZh03ju6U

funny thing . Yeah I get a total headache when trying to read in a car .... avoid doing it as far as possible

 

[mandiller]

It's the same thing like 3D.
It won't catch on because it needs stupid goggles to play. Also it kills your eyesight after a few weeks of hardcore gaming.

You do know that with the Rift your eyes are focused to infinity. It's much better for your eyes than staring at a monitor or mobile screen for ages like we currently do.

I've used the Rift and I'm convinced it'll be the next big thing. I played Skyrim using the Rift and a bunch of VR mods. It is going to be INSANE when the final Rift hardware and upgraded display comes out.

 

[kiunchbb]

VR is the natural progression for all fps and sim games. No matter how realistic the graphic can be, a 2d monitor can only take us so far. It definitly put a lot of energy back to gaming, especially for people that got tire of gaming.

 

[SlickShoes]

I don't really understand the problem with "having a headset on so I have to ignore my wife" situation. PC gamers all over the world do this all the time already.

I am happily married and had a gaming PC set up on my TV, I would sit in the living room with my wife, she would be on her laptop or reading a book, I would be gaming on the PC with my big headset on using skype to talk to people I am playing with.

This is really no different from that apart from you can't glance over at her every now and then, but if you think acknowledging her every now and again is fine then you are probably way too consumed in your gaming to really bother with real communication.

I now have an office for gaming and it's in a whole different room from where my wife is sitting, we are still happily married and she hasn't left me because I don't give her attention 24 hours a day.

 

[Feep]

I think almost every argument in this thread could have been used against television in the early 1950s.

 

[Ishan]

I don't really understand the problem with "having a headset on so I have to ignore my wife" situation. PC gamers all over the world do this all the time already.

I am happily married and had a gaming PC set up on my TV, I would sit in the living room with my wife, she would be on her laptop or reading a book, I would be gaming on the PC with my big headset on using skype to talk to people I am playing with.

This is really no different from that apart from you can't glance over at her every now and then, but if you think acknowledging her every now and again is fine then you are probably way too consumed in your gaming to really bother with real communication.

I now have an office for gaming and it's in a whole different room from where my wife is sitting, we are still happily married and she hasn't left me because I don't give her attention 24 hours a day.

one not all gamers are pc gamers.
two as some have pointed out humans are primarily visual creatures. We are way more okay with being aurally cut off than visually cut off from the world. And half the time many of us dont use headsets if it can be avoided.

 

[Ishan]

I think almost every argument in this thread could have been used against television in the early 1950s.

or books when the bible came out? If you cant see the distinction between television and OR I dont even know what to say.

 

[waby]

Shedding those fat while playing Skyrim. It will the best thing happen after wii sports lol

 

[Bananajama]

Definitely looking forward to it.

So much so I'm holding off my next PC purchase/upgrade till it's released to get an idea of anything extra I might need to shove in the box.

 

[Herb Alpert]

I just don't want to. I want to be able to see my cat sitting on me, reach for my beer, talk to my partner, see the stuff going on in the world around me while I'm enjoying my game. I don't want to be isolated from everything but the game.

I get why people do want to do it, and the demos I tried on the Rift are very very cool. It's just not something I want to own to play my games with. I also didn't scream on the rollercoaster FWIW. The first time through standing up I ripped it off on the bend at the bottom of the hill, second time standing I managed all the way around. For me it's a "look at this cool thing" gadget rather than something I'm going to use regularly.

Some who don't understand that seem to think that people of my ilk are just crazies trying to stop something from happening "just because".

And I totally agree with you.

 

[Paganmoon]

I'm sure it's been brought up before, but I don't get how "3D was/is just a fad", but "VR will revolutionize gaming"...

(I'm a 3D Blu-ray user btw)

 

[mandiller]

Also, I often hear people talking about how VR will be fantastic for first-person games but not much else. I played Skyrim partly in third person using the Rift and it was a really cool experience. It definitely works well. It's like you're god, looking over the shoulder of a person. When you move your head to look up and down the camera rise and drops around the character. It works well.

 

[Mattias]

Well Im going to watch at the sidelines for now.
For me to buy one it has to be completly lag free, it has to cost no more than 300 bucks, has to be really really light weight and it needs to have a lot of support not only from games but from other services as well.

Until then Im quite happy with gaming, tv, movies on my 117" projector screen at home.

 

[Zomba13]

or books when the bible came out? If you cant see the distinction between television and OR I dont even know what to say.

A lot of the arguments (it being socially unacceptable, unnatural, wait till a kid kills someone and has one of these) are things that have been said about every new form of media. Said with Movies that could talk, with moives on tape, TV, radio, rap music, rock music, video games, comics, the internet, dungeon and dragons.
It's something that will always happen when people see something new they don't understand and it's something that they will get over or hold onto until they die and try passing onto their kids/anyone that'll listen.

Only one that can't really compare to those is having to put something on your face/head. Though that could be similar to having to turn a video games console on and hold something in your hands or set-up a game of D&D or put a VHS tape into the player.

 

[Feep]

or books when the bible came out? If you cant see the distinction between television and OR I dont even know what to say.

If you can't see the similarities between two pieces of inherently isolating and immersive technology shown extreme skepticism at launch, *I* don't know what to say.

 

[RooMHM]

Because it s the only hope, the only project that is real?

 

[rjcc]

Because I tried it and thought it was amazing.

 

[Comandr]

I honestly don't understand the people that think something as cool as VR isn't worth wearing ski goggles. They must not like skiing for the same reason. Also, since nobody really wants to play games in such an isolated environment, I guess the market for hardcore RPGs and simulation games is due to collapse at any second.



How about this ad?

This is my favorite video on the Citadel.

 

[jacksepticeye]

Cos ive tried it in a lot of different games and it's very convincing

 

[Zomba13]

I'm sure it's been brought up before, but I don't get how "3D was/is just a fad", but "VR will revolutionize gaming"...

(I'm a 3D Blu-ray user btw)

I'm so sorry. It must be horrible for you having to put glasses on to watch a TV. What do your friends think? Have they shunned you yet for being a monster?

 

[GeoGonzo]

Ugh at the "won't be mainstream" posts. Must they follow into every goddamned VR thread?

Maybe it will be mainstream, maybe it wont... I don't care! I'm not a stock holder, I'm an enthusiast gamer!

No, it probably isn't for everything and everyone.
No, it isn't like 3d tv at all.
Yes, it definitely the next big thing, and a paradigm shift like we've never seen before.

 

[Fallout-NL]

It's completely obvious that this is going to be the most exciting thing to happen to videogames (and any form or type of media in general) since the inception of the videogame itself.

This is that paradigm shift we have been waiting for. And the stars (circumstances) seem to have lined up to finally, actually make it possible.

 

[Alienous]

It's absolutely the next 3D.

 

[Seance]

This is precisely the point. I dont want to try it cause i know ive have to stick something on my head. I'll try it at a trade show or a cool concept showcase. In my living room. No thank you.

Never worn headphones before?

 

[rjcc]

I'm so sorry. It must be horrible for you having to put glasses on to watch a TV. What do your friends think? Have they shunned you yet for being a monster?

yeah, that's a thing I talk about with my friends. how cool we look when we're watching TV.

it's utmost in our minds

 

[Mik2121]

Actually owning a Sony HMD... I would buy this if it had a ton of support and it'd be great if they added a front camera. Some wide fov camera right in front of you so you can see what's nearby would help for many things like searching for the TV remote to change the volume, or picking whatever drink you're drinking, searching for the gamepad again, etc...

Also helpful if someone talks to you for a second and you wanna also see where they are (though ideally you'd take off the OR, of course..)

 

[Mattias]

Maybe some us dont want to be immersed into the games. Some of us might like to keep games separate from the reality.

Im not sure I want to feel like Im inside the game.

 

[Feep]

Maybe some us dont want to be immersed into the games. Some of us might like to keep games separate from the reality.

Im not sure I want to feel like Im inside the game.

And that's fine. But random outbursts of "THIS WILL NEVER SUCCEED IT IS THE NEXT 3-D YOU ARE SO STUPID" (and I'm not saying that's you) is much different from "I can see the value in such an experience, though I don't think that experience is necessarily for me."

 

[Paganmoon]

I'm so sorry. It must be horrible for you having to put glasses on to watch a TV. What do your friends think? Have they shunned you yet for being a monster?

Ehm, not sure what it was I wrote that resulted in this reply, but I'll try to clarify:
I'm looking forward to VR (since I like 3D), what I don't get is that there seems to be as big of a deal made of "3D being a fad", as "VR will revolutionize gaming". I just can't see how both of them can be true.

Just saying that alot of people seem to be contradicting themselves.

 

[Alienous]

Maybe some us dont want to be immersed into the games. Some of us might like to keep games separate from the reality.

Im not sure I want to feel like Im inside the game.

VR would improve Tetris. It doesn't necessarily need to 'immerse' you, or emulate reality.

 

[LogicStep]

Sword Art Online.
You don't go backwards after that.

I recently finished this. Yes, this is the future!

 

[Nexus Zero]

I'm sure it's been brought up before, but I don't get how "3D was/is just a fad", but "VR will revolutionize gaming"...

(I'm a 3D Blu-ray user btw)

It has been brought up before so why not just read the fucking thread? It is so perfectly clear to anyone who has put one of these things on why it isn't anything like 3D.

I like 3D, I like my 3DS. I'm playing 3D World and lamenting the lack of 3D. So I'm with you on the 3D love. But it doesn't compare. To feel like you're in a different place entirely. To feel the fear of a dark corridor, to hear nothing but the muffled groans of the dungeon before you, not knowing what could be ground the next corner. To come face to face with your enemy, looking up and watching them tower over you. It's intimidating, the whole experience, and I mean that in the best possible way.

The stereoscopy of the experience is an important but relatively minor visual trick within the full package.

 

[StaSeb]

Tried the Oculus Rifrt HD prototype at gamescom last year.
Im am a belieVR since.

 

[bobot]

How is VR going to help a generation of gamers who need their hands held?

 

[Alx]

When he learnt that I was drawing as a hobby, my high school sport teacher (who also was a friend of the family) asked me for a drawing of a video gamer, drooling and slouching in a couch while wearing a VR headset, with the title "SeGaGa, c'est plus fort que toi" (which is a pun on a famous Sega ad, and shows that he was twice visionary ). (little did he know that I was playing videogames myself)

VR is the best symbol of why video gaming is still in a cultural ghetto. It cuts people from their environment and prevents any social or physical activity. Of course it was in the early 90s, but I still think that if you show to a regular person a picture of someone playing games with VR, he'll be more scared or mocking than really enthusiastic.

Besides, like I said in another discussion on that topic, the current evolution of the technology is more about following you everywhere and being quick to access and dismiss (phones, tablets, watches, glasses...). Compared to what a static desktop can provide, our common electronics didn't really push display or computing performance, but improved on mobility, autonomy, connectivity etc. VR doesn't fit at all in that model (while AR does).

So that's why I'm very skeptical on VR being "the next big thing". It may very well become popular among specific crowds (gamers and some professionals), but I don't expect to see in 2015 the McFly family with each of them wearing a helmet at dinner.

 

[Zomba13]

Ehm, not sure what it was I wrote that resulted in this reply, but I'll try to clarify:
I'm looking forward to VR (since I like 3D), what I don't get is that there seems to be as big of a deal made of "3D being a fad", as "VR will revolutionize gaming". I just can't see how both of them can be true.

Just saying that alot of people seem to be contradicting themselves.

It was just a snarky reply because of how so many people don't want to wear glasses when watching TV because they look stupid.

 

[spekkeh]

I just don't want to. I want to be able to see my cat sitting on me, reach for my beer, talk to my partner, see the stuff going on in the world around me while I'm enjoying my game. I don't want to be isolated from everything but the game.

Pretty much. I also think the inital wow factor will attenuate due to media schemata. People were running and screaming out of the cinemas the first time they saw a train driving towards them. Pretty soon after they knew it wasn't real and the medium wasn't that wowing anymore. Still, cinema got pretty big, so there's no telling where this may end up. Personally, though, apart from the very occassional cinema experience, I don't think I want to have this invasive thing cover my eyes.

Except for porn, I could definitely see porn being awesome.

 

[dark_inferno]

I was like you OP. Sat there and thought "Such bullshit... i hate 3D glasses why should i have VR glasses then?"

Then i tried the OR and was blown away.

 

[RetroStu]

I hate gimmicks but after trying the Rift a few months ago, i do believe VR is the future.
Not every game will use it or even need it but some games will only be enhanced by using it (first person games or driving games a prime example).
Whether or not VR will at some point be the main type of gaming is hard to say but i do think VR will be a viable option for games in the future and will probably come packaged with future consoles and then you have the option to either use the VR headset or connect to the TV.

 

[Bundy]

Why is everyone convinced VR is the next big thing? ...

Who is "everyone"?
Every VR-themed thread had a lot of doubters.
So....???

 

[RulkezX]

And that's fine. But random outbursts of "THIS WILL NEVER SUCCEED IT IS THE NEXT 3-D YOU ARE SO STUPID" (and I'm not saying that's you) is much different from "I can see the value in such an experience, though I don't think that experience is necessarily for me."

It's no different that the incredulity being show by OR lovers that a lot of people think it's a gimmick for a tiny hardcore niche.

It's going to be popular with the same type of crowd that have to play at 4k and have bleeding edge computers. The tech is also expensive , it's hilarious that people can demand every day that MS drop Kinect.to save $100 but the VR flag wavers are convinced people will drop $300 on a peripheral.

 

[Mattias]

Pretty much. I also think the inital wow factor will attenuate due to media schemata. People were running and screaming out of the cinemas the first time they saw a train driving towards them. Pretty soon after they knew it wasn't real and the medium wasn't that wowing anymore. Still, cinema got pretty big, so there's no telling where this may end up. Personally, though, apart from the very occassional cinema experience, I don't think I want to have this invasive thing cover my eyes.

Except for porn, I could definitely see porn being awesome.

Yeah porn would make VR an instant hit

 

[Kura]

¿Why do people want better graphics, better audio quality and bigger TVs?
Inmersion. Gamers love to get lost on new worlds and realities. And VR makes it believable!

In games, you control the player because you are suposed to be the player.
Now, what happens if YOU REALLY ARE THE PLAYER?

Its another dimension of entertainment like we never seen before.

I just imagine playing Journey on VR and I get orsgasms man.