Your thoughts on VR?

[HolySchmidt]

I just had a little conversation about pros and cons on VirtualReality with a member in here, so I decided to open up a topic about it.

What is your thoughts on this technique?
Is it good? Is it bad? Something in between?
What do you think the future will look like with and in VR?
What are you doing with it besides VaM?

I know, this is kind of a VR forum and people in here will automatically be more on the positive side, that's the reason we are here for. But I'm curious nonetheless.

I'm kind of in between: I like what is possible with this technique, I love technique. It always fascinated me what you can do with energy, some peripherals and a screen. But I also love the old, mechanical, technique. I love to see what technique is doing, moving mechanical objects interacting with each other and at the end of a long chain of reactions you have ice (hello Back to the Future).

You can build houses in VR and afterwards make them real. I know VR is used with phobic people, phobia of height for instance. Nothing wrong with that. We use it for entertainment, a still very new form of entertainment but the potential is huge.
On the other hand, people are getting more and more addicted to digital devices. Smartphones are the best example.

Someone wanna share his/her thoughts on this? I'm just into debating, exchanging thoughts and perspectives. Would love to hear some of yours.

 

[LooksHunter]

I think it is still in a bit of an awkward stage. On one hand it works great visually, the perception of sight and sound is already pretty great, though far from looking life-like, but at the same time interaction is a bit awkward, we can see it but not quite touch it well, with decent haptics simulation touching things, which inherently is very problematic and hard to do. I wish we had some kind of vr gloves that act as a controllers, but with analog sticks for movement. I find the weakest aspect is body tracking, I find stuff like Vive trackers incredibly flawed and awkward to use, it just doesn't feel right yet.
An other thing that is seeing rapid development is augmented reality, imagine VaM but your play area/room gets translated with physics detecting furniture and walls, that can have ai generated texture overlay over them. We still have a long way to go!

As for other games, it's a bit mixed for me - I can't fully move in many titles due to my small space, things like Super Hot or. Blade and Sorcery or even Beat Saber are too risky, I will just damage stuff in real. However I really enjoyed Microsoft FnaatFlight Simulator, I wonder if I can disable aircraft visibility to feel like I'm actually flying through the sky. Also Dirt Rally 2.0, this one felt so good I'm hellbent on building Fanatec rig setup just to drive in this one, or to do mountain downhill drifting. Basically stuff that benefits from using standard controller or wheel ironically feels more natural to me than having my hands represented due to me still holding index controllers in my hands.

 

[Lione]

Regarding PCVR

Its great as it is now currently for me.

I own PSVR , PCVR Headsets , all Oculus Headsets released and following VR since 2016
We already have a great amount of Games and Experiences people can enjoy.
People just need to buy a Headset or a PSVR Headset and buy the Games.

PSVR

Being released in 2016 Sony PSVR is still one of the best Platforms for VR Gaming.
Everything works as it should work with Hand Controller or Move Controllers.
The Sony Platform has so many brilliant VR Games released since 2016 which
are true GEMS to play and the Future of PSVR is already secured.
The Headset is still one of the most comfort and the OLED Display looks amazing, even in 2021.

Quest Development:
Seing most developers currently jump on Quest as a DEV Platform is mixed for me since yes Quest has a ton of amazing Games on their own and also the new great LAB Platform with PC VR/ PSVR Port Games like Windlands.
Technical having such great constant Firmware Support and Pro Tracking and Hand Tracking i understand that the Developers luv this Platform.
This sure currently affects PC Platform Developement and the Quest success ( which is great and needed BTW ) slows down next Gen PC Grafic Games a bit
atm.

VR Modding Scene grows and grows:
Seing that the VR Modding Scene also grows and we received Full VR Game Ports like Red Dead Redemption 2 and GTA 5 and also others like Valheim in fully VR is such awesome and this will grow.

The Future / Each Game will have native VR embedded:
Even Sony now starts to request Developers to native release all future released Sony Platform
Games in two Versions embedded in one Game Release you will purchase : VR and non VR side by Side.
And you will even have a choice which Version to Install to save Space.
This will start with the release of PSVR 2 and would be awesome sure for also PC Games.

@LooksHunter

Regarding Flight Simulator 2020 you can Bookmark Cameras Positions even outside the Plane.

This is a great Tutorial to show this supereasy workflow

There is also a new Jetpack released

simMarket: JETPACK JW1 SKYPIRAT MSFS

Have you ever dreamed about flying like a bird outside of a metal can with a windshield Now you have a chance to do it in Microsoft Flight Simulator - take on your suit and prepare for a mind blowing experience You can hover like a helicopter or escort an...

secure.simmarket.com

which is so awesome

And a Feature which makes MSFS 2020 also Premium is the Showcase Drone Camera in fully 3D VR

 

[HolySchmidt]

There is a GTA 5 VR mod?
This a have to check out.

Of course, VR is rich of possibilities. We are still scratching the surface right now.

@LooksHunter
Same here. I'm just sitting on my chair, no need to run around for me and no space neither.

Still, I can think of a future were "everyone" is just sitting or standing at home, living in a digital world, no more interacting with the real world. Porn, in the past, was the door opener for new media like VHS, DVD and the internet. I think it'll be the same with VR regarding mainstream use of it.

//EDIT
The GTA 5 mod looks awesome!

 

[DarkFantasy]

Regarding Flight Simulator 2020 you can Bookmark Cameras Positions even outside the Plane.

Uggg. I have been ignoring MSFS for a while. I don't need yet another VR addiction between VAM and Elite Dangerous! Seeing that jetpack just broke me.... Thanks!!!

 

[AWWalker]

i think we are getting (we'll i feel like i am) closer to the lifelike looks with much practice in lighting and creating new texturing and characters. I bet in 10 more years, (i still hope my junk works) that it'll be exponentially better.

 

[Toonen1988]

I do own a VR headset for many years now. It felt so immersive when I tried VR for the first time, it sucks you right in. Not only did games become more immersive, especially games like DCS: World, Half-life Alyx and Flight Simulator but games also became way more interactable. You even need to get your butt from the chair in many games, which is definitely healthier then sitting all day.

I had many great moments in VR and overal i'm happy that I bought VR. VR can also have a positive effect on psychological health of people, for example treating people with trauma's, fears and stress. VR can also be good for learning and people can express their creativity and identity.

But VR can also be very dangerous.

Nowadays technology became our primary lifestyle, in such a way that we can't live without it anymore. We always carry our smarthphone with us, many people drive brainless on GPS, many people want to post everything on social media to show the world, many people care more about likes online then getting love from their family.

We already see isolation, addiction, social anxiety, alienation, stereotype, lack of empathy, polarization happening in our society due social media. Virtual Reality can cause these issue's aswell or even build on top of it. We also already see manipulation through social media aswell, with VR it will be even more easier to manipulate people.

Soon when people also start to forget that VR is a illusion, you will also cause depression and other psychological issue's when people are coming back to the real world.

To bad "Stranger Beasts" is not available on YouTube anymore, all I could was finding this reaction video. Video's like these opened my eyes what technology can exactly do and what it can causes. Video is kinda bad quality, but I couldn't find another version. I will add a spoiler of the video.

Spoiler

In short, it's about a VR app where people can have a creature companion. But soon it takes a dark turn, when his own daughter is also just a illusion in VR and he isn't aware of it.

I love technology but I also see the potential dangers it can bring and smartphones and social media is just the first steps. We aren't aware how far we are being sucked in to the rabbit hole by tech companies and it can cause some serious society problems.

 

[hazmhox]

We already see isolation, addiction, social anxiety, alienation, stereotype, lack of empathy, polarization happening in our society due social media. Virtual Reality can cause these issue's aswell or even build on top of it. We also already see manipulation through social media aswell, with VR it will be even more easier to manipulate people.

Soon when people also start to forget that VR is a illusion, you will also cause depression and other psychological issue's when people are coming back to the real world.

I do see where you're getting at. But to be the devil's advocate here: people have been swallowing xanax and all sort of antidepressant drugs for 30 years without social medias, roleplaying games, video games or even virtual reality.

It's far more common in some countries than other ( Canada, Australia, Iceland and US being right there at the top ) but in general, outside factors weren't needed for social anxiety and depression.

I would even push further the logic: if you're using VR as a way to relief stress and forget about your day. You are already depressed. It is already a "medication" just like antidepressant are, just in a different way.

BUT, you can make the same conclusion for anything else. Medias tend to "wave" new technologies or trends in front of your face like it's a new threat we should be very aware of... and tend to not show the numbers overall.

For 5 dudes being hooked on VR to escape real life... how much people are drinking half a whisky bottle, smoking 50gr of weed, swallowing antidepressants... or whatever you like... per day?

When we talk about depression, anxiety and all connected troubles... VR, or alcoholism, antidepressants, or any addiction issues... and their abuse. We're trying to warn, prevent or fix the symptoms. And we're not looking at the root cause.

People don't empty a whisky bottle on a daily basis because they have a wonderful life. Just like someone trying to escape reality through VR.

Yes, we're there
We should try to fix "life" before throwing rocks at "means" people are using to escape their shitty day/week/month/years.

Bear with me: I'm not saying addictions do not exists. It's a real problem and people can get lost even tho they have a pretty nice life initially. But most of the time, that's not the issue : )

 

[Toonen1988]

.....

I do agree, depression, addiction, social anxiety, isolation already existed before social media. Let me explain how I see it with social media and VR and why it can cause more issue's then it didn't exist 30 years ago.

But first I want to say, i'm not psychologist nor do have any degree in this field. What i'm going to say is based on my own expierence and how I look at things. It can also be upsetting for some what i'm going to say. English isn't may native language, my apologies if my explanation can be a little bit messy. It's a hard topic to explain.

Toughts a person have, doesn't really make the person who they really are. A human mind and toughts are being influenced consciously and unconsciously from outside sources like all kind of media, entertainment, advertisements, internet and even other people around you are all sources that influence a human brain. It isn't necessarily a bad thing, since not all influencing is bad. But that's a completely different story.

But what is not so well known for a lot of people is that we are not only being influenced from outside sources, but also from inside. We can be our own playthings of ourselves.

There is a famous quote by Carl Jung,

“Everyone knows nowadays that people 'have complexes. ' What is not so well known, though far more important theoretically, is that complexes can have us."

We always believe that we have idea's but in matter of fact, idea's have us. We are being possesed by our own complexes. I can give a very simple example, emotions. We can be our own playthings of our emotions. Someone once explained to me, if someone betray's you and you want revenge, did the idea of revenge really comes from you, or does the idea of revenge comes from something else like your emotions.

Since we can be our own playthings of our own emotions, it's scary to think that many people handle out of emotions nowadays and not out of reasoning.

Isn't this scary to think that emotions have been a big part of social media. Just think about it, that we can be our own playthings of our own emotions, while emotions is a big part of social media and social media is used for influencing.

Social media and for example VR play's to much with our emotions and we lose the sense of reasoning. It shows us a illusion and surreal dreams, which makes it very easy to get addicted to.

Why do many people lie on social nowadays, showing their fancy and rich life, while none of that is true. Why do we want the fame, the likes, the attentions. We become possessed by it, social media has us, instead of us having social media. The things that matters has always been next to you, family, friends, getting children, the neighbors, hell even the people waiting together on a busstation. Why not just starting a conversation with a unknown person instead of looking at your phone while waiting together on the bus.

These are the basics of a happy life, and not being controlled, manipulated and possessed by social media that fuels certain idea's in life while those idea's have you, instead of you having the idea's.

I have the feeling that people nowaday care more about illusions and surreal dreams. Social media and VR is just a extention for this behaviour. That's why I think isolation, addiction, social anxiety, alienation, stereotype, lack of empathy, polarization is way more worse then for example 30 years ago.

Using medicines, using social media or using VR to feel better doesn't fix anything. It's just suppressing something that you need to fix about yourself. Once that is over, going back to the real world hits even harder.

 

[The Empress]

The technocratic globalists want us all within the controlled matrix (VR). As per the WEF, we will "own nothing and be happy". As a sentient being you should always weigh the importance of being entranced into their traps be it AI, social engineering, or the next powerful hardware. Remain self aware.

 

[Farger]

Regarding PCVR

Its great as it is now currently for me.

I own PSVR , PCVR Headsets , all Oculus Headsets released and following VR since 2016
We already have a great amount of Games and Experiences people can enjoy.
People just need to buy a Headset or a PSVR Headset and buy the Games.

PSVR

Being released in 2016 Sony PSVR is still one of the best Platforms for VR Gaming.
Everything works as it should work with Hand Controller or Move Controllers.
The Sony Platform has so many brilliant VR Games released since 2016 which
are true GEMS to play and the Future of PSVR is already secured.
The Headset is still one of the most comfort and the OLED Display looks amazing, even in 2021.

Quest Development:
Seing most developers currently jump on Quest as a DEV Platform is mixed for me since yes Quest has a ton of amazing Games on their own and also the new great LAB Platform with PC VR/ PSVR Port Games like Windlands.
Technical having such great constant Firmware Support and Pro Tracking and Hand Tracking i understand that the Developers luv this Platform.
This sure currently affects PC Platform Developement and the Quest success ( which is great and needed BTW ) slows down next Gen PC Grafic Games a bit
atm.

VR Modding Scene grows and grows:
Seing that the VR Modding Scene also grows and we received Full VR Game Ports like Red Dead Redemption 2 and GTA 5 and also others like Valheim in fully VR is such awesome and this will grow.

The Future / Each Game will have native VR embedded:
Even Sony now starts to request Developers to native release all future released Sony Platform
Games in two Versions embedded in one Game Release you will purchase : VR and non VR side by Side.
And you will even have a choice which Version to Install to save Space.
This will start with the release of PSVR 2 and would be awesome sure for also PC Games.

@LooksHunter

Regarding Flight Simulator 2020 you can Bookmark Cameras Positions even outside the Plane.

This is a great Tutorial to show this supereasy workflow

There is also a new Jetpack released

simMarket: JETPACK JW1 SKYPIRAT MSFS

Have you ever dreamed about flying like a bird outside of a metal can with a windshield Now you have a chance to do it in Microsoft Flight Simulator - take on your suit and prepare for a mind blowing experience You can hover like a helicopter or escort an...

secure.simmarket.com

which is so awesome

And a Feature which makes MSFS 2020 also Premium is the Showcase Drone Camera in fully 3D VR

Oh, I loved this simulator, but haven't been platying much lately. I have flight yokes, rudders and instruments.