We bet you’ve seen pictures of an Oculus set somewhere on the internet, or perhaps your favorite YouTuber was hyping up a Valve some time ago. Okay, you’ve seen it. Chalked it up as some expensive nerd gear, but that’s where it’s wrong. VR is so much more than that, and that’s why we’ve compiled some information to present it in a more informed light.
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Moving on, here’s the article:
Overview: What is VR?
Virtual Reality, or VR for short, is a technology that allows people to be immersed in their digital world and surroundings. There are variations to the technology, but the most common, known, and popular type of VR tech is seen in VR headsets. Headsets are usually fitted to one’s head and act as a lens inside the digital world.
Headsets track users’ movements for the image inside the headsets to adjust as well, and the better the headset is, the better it is at this tracking function. Most popular headsets come with controllers, which also track the hands’ movements. All of this serves to stimulate the users, making them feel that the digital landscape they are in feels real. It mimics reality.
VR’s Integrated Use In Society
While most people might just sum up VR tech with fancy gaming headsets, the integration of this technology spans much further than that. It is, in its way, a revolutionary feat in technological progress; therefore, experts are trying to make use of it in many different ways. Here are some examples of where VR tech is being used:
- Gaming and Entertainment: Evidently, VR is seen in gaming in the form of headsets, which can also be used for entertainment purposes. It has completely revolutionized the gaming industry, allowing users to indulge and immerse themselves into digital worlds with the click of a set’s button. What once was a sci-fi dream is now available for a few hundred dollars.
- Health: VR is extensively used in medicine, the use ranging from PTSD treatment to managing pain. VR headsets are supposedly used to distract patients from painful procedures and alleviate their stress.
- Education: Some schools have been using VR to do virtual tours of faraway locations so that students can go to specific locations without going there. VR has also been used to bridge sick/in-surgery professors with their students.
- Sports: Some athletes use VR to train at home before hitting the actual training area. There are even training programs in VR.
The technology might still be in its infancy and early years, but it shows massive potential for usability in many different areas of life.
Popular VR Headsets
For those interested in splurging some money to buy one of these fun VR headsets, below are a few good options to consider.
Valve Index (around $1,000)
Valve’s first-ever released solo VR headset is a high-end headset and one of the best in the market. It delivers one of the best VR experiences with the excellent quality of its visuals, controllers, and movement tracking. It’s expensive for a reason.
Oculus (around $500)
Oculus started with a crowdfunding campaign; now, it’s being sold worldwide at millions of retailers and online. The latest model is the Oculus Quest 2, with the next generation set to be released in 2023 (Oculus Quest 3).
HTC Vive (around $700 to $1000)
HTC Vive was the concept born between the collaboration of tech firm HTC and games company Valve. Vive has some noteworthy features that set it apart, such as a front-facing camera that can enable reality to merge with users’ digital environments.
Gameplay Modes
Gameplay using a VR headset might be confusing at first, so we’ve clarified some things to expect when hooked onto a machine.
Room Scale VR play enables users to set a boundary using their headsets or a ‘play area,’ as some might prefer to call it. The boundaries help players keep safe and know that the area they are moving in is alright for heavy movements inside the game.
Seated gameplay, on the other hand, is gameplay designed to be done from a specific spot, without being on your feet, with some key differences in movement options. Standing in the same.
Precautions: Motion Sickness
Wearing VR tech for long periods can become discomforting, and users have reported feelings of nausea and motion sickness. It’s important not to overdo it. Motion sickness or nausea can be experienced whether standing, seated, or in room-scale mode. Sometimes the visuals might be too overwhelming for some users, causing this type of reaction.
However, many users adapt to the VR equipment if they keep reusing it after some time, and even more intense experiences can be managed without too much trouble. On the other hand, the reaction to the equipment is entirely relative to who’s wearing it, so users should try their hand at it first before coming to conclusions. We encourage you not to persist if it truly makes you feel bad.
Being hooked on a machine for too long isn’t good for anybody in the long run, so we advise the act of moderation. The eyes will be overstrained, and so will the entire head, especially when using headsets.
Final Thoughts
VR is captivating, fun, and useful for many different things. However, we advise our readers always to be mindful of how they use technology. VR is a tool and something you can use to learn or have fun with. Let’s not forget about the beauty of reality and replace it fully with the digital. Balance is key.
