Seeing as I'm in a gamer forum, I was wonering of the question. Anyone sure when game makers are going to get ready to design virtual reality games? I heard of the news of blizzard possibly developing a headset to wear over yourself while playing, but still required to use the mouse and keyboard. I actually had an idea for virtual reality, but not sure if it would be posssible, and might be too awesome :D. Im serious.. Ok, well my idea would be of virtual reality...... for the less rich people, a little tread mill to walk on, and depending on the game, a weapon to hold. Or no weapon at all. Anyways different weapons should be able to be hooked in. THe person would have to put on sensor things on himself, the same things they would put on you to see your baby when your pregnant, or right before a massage. Not sure what their called, but yeah.. Anyways, and a helmet. The player would be put into the game, being able to walk, talk, run, and cast spells. Casting spells would require player to somehow interact with the system, running and walking would depend on treadmill, and should be built that when you walk faster, treadmill goes faster. And for the sensor things. THat would give you a small shock or get a little warmer or colder when you get attacked. Just to make it feel like your really in the game. I know this might be a bit intense, but me and my friend talked about this, how freekin awesome would it be to standing face to face with "Andariel" From diablo? Id crap myself =). ANd the good thing about this, players would really get into shape. So gamers would be given a whole new image =). Anyways, discuss!

Sounds like a cool idea. But, if you were using a treadmill to walk around the game world, you would be limited to two directions; forwards and backwards. Thats the only problem I see with that idea.

Hmm... Well of course treadmill would have to be worked into a square to walk into multiple directions... Anyways, I don't really see this as happening... but if it did... wow, thatd be awesome =).

There is VR training research done where they take a regular treadmill and use it for walking; for turning, you twist your torso and the heading keeps turning, somewhat like a joystick. It's not perfect, but it's said to be much more realistic than no treadmill. Meanwhile, the goggles/headset would change the way you're looking like mouselook, and wouldn't change where you're walking.

Excellent. I expect virtual reality consoles to start coming out in about 8 years or so. But wow... thatd be fun... imagine playing even as mario =). Or super smash bros melleee... somehow... but wow.. that would kickass =).

I wouldn't mind the exercise myself, but I forsee a few problems:
1 - People like Jack Thompson will complain because it brings a whole new level of realism to things. [headshake]
2 - People'll need to adjust to doing exercise, which I'm sure a few of them would complain about. [lol]
3 - People'll need a fair bit of space to move freely, so sides to the treadmill will inevitably cause problems if they're still there, but they'll also cause problems if they're removed (see #8 for an example).
4 - People (like Jack Thompson) will probably complain about the electric shocks. Considering they can be used to bulk your muscles up, we could also end up with some weird looking people running around, but then again, who cares what you look like when you can crush people's skulls? [wink]
5 - Without half decent ventilation, wearing the devices could get a little annoying, 'specially if you don't have an air conditioner during summer.
6 - If it gets to the point where people can make their own gestures in games, it could raise a whole load of new legal issues. Count to 4 in binary on your hands for a good example of this.
7 - People in wheelchairs couldn't play, unless they got somebody to do the walking for them, which wont always happen.
8 - If people trip and fall when running on the treadmill while wearing something that covers their eyes and hurt themselves, they'll probably sue. If games/sims have people walking on the roof, this'll probably happen quite a bit until people adjust. *
9 - You'll need at least 4 sensors for the majority of moving things, which would take up more space unless mounted on things like the treadmill, but that'd be a conflict with #7. **

* Law suits of this nature could be avoided by ensuring some form of contract was included along with the devices, but that probably wont stop them trying.

** Without at least 4 sensors, you wouldn't be able to tell exactly what the moving parts were doing. For instance, the global positioning system can tell you roughly where you are on Earth because the area's wide enough that it can be seen as a giant 2D map, but something floating in space could also be seen as on the planet without a 4th point to reference.

I personally wouldn't mind gloves of some form, since you could throw a whole load of gestures into your games to replace key pressing all together (not unlike the gestures you can make in Black and White). There's a good chance I'd also use them for the gestures mentioned in #6. [lol]

I rewrote this a few times, skipping backwards and forwards, so if anything's wrong, I'm sorry.

[EDIT]
I forgot to mention mind control devices, which'd fix a *lot* of these problems ('cept the exercise one, since you'd still be exercising your mind). As technology advances, this'll become a key part to every day life, including games. Just imagine those accidentaly mind-controlled gestures. [wink]

[EDIT #2]
Doesn't this thread belong in the lounge? Seems out of place here...

Hehe... screw jack thompson, hes crazy =). ButI bet they could work someting out... and how many wheelchairer gamers are there :P? THey'll just play on the computer.

hehe cool idea. :)

Well, I don't know exactly what tread mill translates to in german, but running on a big trackball would solve the problem of running in different directions. =)

then you "only" need 3d glasses for vision and some sensor on your arms for aiming.

cheers

Problem is, the price associated with a large mechanical device makes it unfeasable for the consumer market. Something like this might be developed for the military; where high costs don't seem to phase those who are spending taxpayer's money. Since applications are limited, this technology probably won't make it very far.

I'd think it's more believable that we will see a technology that feeds directly into our brains; allowing us to feel like we are actually in the environment. The applications for this type technology are much further reaching than games. Having an implant would be a turn off to most people. But what if it's achievable without any surgical alterations? It would most likely be much cheaper then ordering a heavy mechanical/computerized treadmill through Amazon.com; even if you used super saver shipping.

Quote:

high costs don't seem to phase those who are spending taxpayer's money

I think we exhausted the "multiplayer" and "networking" parts of this thread.