PAS2.5: Virtual Reality

Throughout my life, I have been lucky enough to enjoy a variety of gaming experiences. Between my personal belongings and those of my friends, no game or console has ever truly been out of reach. With that being said, there is one particularly interesting genre of gaming that I have only had the opportunity to experience a handful of times. Though it is a relatively new (and notably expensive) way to play video games, the implementation of virtual reality has continued to excite me since the first time I experienced it.

Unlike most other forms of gaming, virtual reality technology has only become widespread in recent years. When virtual reality headsets first became available for video game applications, they were not nearly as commercially successful as one might expect. Because of their high price tag and troubleshooting difficulties, VR headsets were typically only bought by online content creators with the financial means and incentive to use them for content. Even today, many headset designs struggle to find a balance between weight and battery life, making it necessary to continue relying on a wired power supply for extended playtime.

Although I’m still waiting for the technology to further improve before buying my own setup, I have still gotten the opportunity to enjoy the immersive experience outside my home. While large arcades like Dave and Buster’s do offer virtual reality sessions, their limited game selection and even more limited playing time tend to prevent the user from enjoying the technology to its full potential. On just two memorable occasions, however, a friend gave me the chance to play a variety of games from the comfort of his bedroom. There, I got to play for hours, interacting with the world around me in a way I never could with something like augmented reality.

With every new experience, there is always the chance to make mistakes. As is evident from extensive videos across the internet, it can be very easy to become too immersed in the world of VR. From trying to run away from an in-game enemy to jumping head-first toward the TV, there are plenty of ways to hurt yourself — and others — while your vision is impaired. Unfortunately, I was especially guilty of the latter while playing in my friend’s room. Like most motion controllers, the handheld VR controllers come with two straps to wrap around your wrist to avoid damaging something — or someone — if/when you accidentally let go of a controller. I did not put on the straps. There was a moment in-game where, as I went to throw an object, I forgot that I was not really in the world I was seeing. I let go of the controller and, after an instant, heard the sound of my friend groaning in pain. Luckily, he was not badly hurt and could laugh about it, but I wore the straps from then on.

Though the technology is not quite where I’d like it to be yet, I’m eagerly looking forward to the day I can get my own virtual reality headset. My only hope is that as I immerse myself in the virtual world, I can stay grounded enough not to break anything or anyone.