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  • Author Author: Fred27
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VR - great or gimmick?

I was recently involved in a project that involved a little bit of VR. Mainly looking at a few headsets to see which might be suitable for another company to build some VR stuff for us. Last week I got to have a quick go of Half Life Alyx on a Valve Index. It was very impressive! Considering I'm not really a gamer, it really grabbed my attention. Now I find myself sort of tempted to get one. If I do then it'll definitely be a Vale Index despite the lead time. It was better than the really high end Varjo one that cost 10x the price.

 

Unfortunately, I'll be leaving the company soon so won't be able to try it out any further for myself. A question for those of you who might have bought a VR headset. Do you still find it useful / interesting or is it the sort of thing where the gimmick soon wears off?

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  • As DAB indicates it depends on the application, the user and the technology.

    Some applications will benefit from VR or AR.

    Some users will not be comfortable with some (or most) applications. (the discrepancy between video motion and my own body motion makes me queasy and gives me a headache in short order) I have tried more than a dozen systems and they all cause headaches for me.

    Even when the application is designed to minimize motion discrepancy stress, the technology may need to have lower latency and be physically lighter to be considered comfortable.

    Some studies indicate VR and AR should not be used by anyone under the age of 18 as it can interfere with brain development.

    Some users will endure the discomfort because the application is compelling.

    It would need to be a pretty outstanding application for me to be a fan.

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  • As DAB indicates it depends on the application, the user and the technology.

    Some applications will benefit from VR or AR.

    Some users will not be comfortable with some (or most) applications. (the discrepancy between video motion and my own body motion makes me queasy and gives me a headache in short order) I have tried more than a dozen systems and they all cause headaches for me.

    Even when the application is designed to minimize motion discrepancy stress, the technology may need to have lower latency and be physically lighter to be considered comfortable.

    Some studies indicate VR and AR should not be used by anyone under the age of 18 as it can interfere with brain development.

    Some users will endure the discomfort because the application is compelling.

    It would need to be a pretty outstanding application for me to be a fan.

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  • in reply to dougw

    I can be a bit susceptible to motion sickness. I had to stop a driving simulator once because I was going to be sick. (You'll be glad to hear I pulled over on the virtual grass first.) The newer VR headsets do seem to have addressed these issues - I suspect by reducing latency. I really didn't expect to be a fan.