Virtual Reality, or VR, is used to describe the computer generated, three-dimensional world in which a user can explore and interact with their surroundings. This effect is usually implemented using computer technology, but devices such as that Google Cardboard use a set of lenses to create this 3D effect. Virtual reality is a fully immersive experience and interaction with the environment can be achieved through motion or specialized electronic equipment fitted with sensors, such as gloves or controllers. For virtual reality to work effectively it is also important for the technology to take human physiology into account. This can allow for a more realistic user experience, but can also cause discord between your eyes and your vestibular system. Since the vestibular system is important for balance and spatial orientation, this can lead to motion sickness.
Although virtual reality has a future in gaming, it is not the future of gaming. One of the biggest downsides to virtual reality is the cost. Not only can virtual reality systems be very expensive themselves, but in most cases, you also need to have a computer, gaming console, or phone with virtual reality capabilities to even be able to play the games. The Google Cardboard and Samsung Gear VR are fairly cheap to buy, but quality virtual reality systems such as the HTC Vive, Oculus Rift, and PlayStation VR come at a hefty price. With 4K optics and better motion tracking and controllers being integrated over time, plus the cost of the processing power required to display 4K images at high speeds, I don’t see the cost of these systems going down any time soon. Virtual reality can also be incredibly disorienting at times so it’s difficult to say whether there is a clear fix to the motion sickness issues that some users are experiencing. For these reasons, it is hard for me to say that virtual reality is the future of gaming, but that isn’t to say that virtual reality gaming won’t be around for a long time.
Luiza Hauskrecht ITP101 Blog 