The Oculus Rift and HTC Vive products have been released for quite some time now. Virtual Reality, as an extension of Video Gaming is not new, but it's reach to the public is. VR will hold it's place in simulation and medical research. However, in gaming, it is likely to fad out within 10 years.
What I am noticing in the optimism of this relativity new technology is no different than what we thought of motion controlled gaming 10 years ago. It's something unique, it's realistic and people think it will change everything, but has motion control really made any changes? Who is still playing interactive fishing games and holding rifles in Call of Duty? Part of the reason it didn't stay was because it never actually improved playing performance. We tend to forget, hardcore gamers makeup a large audience of the whole industry. In my and many others definition, this being users who play games in their leisure. VR doesn't help gamers improve in traditional gaming, if anything it actually impairs them when playing online with keyboard and mouse wielding opponents having a more accurate edge.
I will agree, it does bring a new experience to the way we play games, but so has motion-based gaming. I don't see VR gaming as anything more significant than Wii Sports or Kinect.
What I am noticing in the optimism of this relativity new technology is no different than what we thought of motion controlled gaming 10 years ago. It's something unique, it's realistic and people think it will change everything, but has motion control really made any changes? Who is still playing interactive fishing games and holding rifles in Call of Duty? Part of the reason it didn't stay was because it never actually improved playing performance. We tend to forget, hardcore gamers makeup a large audience of the whole industry. In my and many others definition, this being users who play games in their leisure. VR doesn't help gamers improve in traditional gaming, if anything it actually impairs them when playing online with keyboard and mouse wielding opponents having a more accurate edge.
I will agree, it does bring a new experience to the way we play games, but so has motion-based gaming. I don't see VR gaming as anything more significant than Wii Sports or Kinect.