| For some of you reading this, virtual reality | | | | fully immerse a person in its "virtualness." It lead a |
| gaming is no big deal. Some of us, however, were | | | | person, in mind only, into other realms. |
| not born all that recently, so this new virtual | | | | The complete immersion of VR gaming requires |
| reality gaming phenomena is pretty fascinating. | | | | physical interaction, not just mental. During a |
| VR, itself, is fairly new. Even the term, VR | | | | virtual reality gaming session, input is sent to the |
| gaming, has a very short history. The earliest | | | | player through the various devices mentioned |
| usage of the term, virtual reality, only goes back | | | | earlier, with which the player must interact. This is |
| so far as the beginning of the last century, the | | | | the part of the phenomena that makes it |
| early 20th. But even then, they weren't talking | | | | interactive. In order to get through the session, |
| about the same thing we are today when we | | | | you have to participate. And that's what makes it |
| discuss it. In fact, this has generally come to | | | | fascinating. |
| mean a sensory-filled, immersive and 3D (3 | | | | That you could see a dinosaur up close, or |
| dimensional) environment generated through some | | | | engage futuristic battle-bots or even just play |
| form of technical equipment. | | | | tennis with Martina in your living room, through VR |
| You can enjoy this way of interacting with a | | | | gaming, is evidence that we are truly entering |
| simulated, or virtual, environment. This is | | | | another technological advance in our society and |
| accomplished through the use of a technical | | | | culture. |
| interface, such as your computer keyboard, | | | | But we're not there yet. Of the several elements |
| mouse or even a specialized glove. Headsets, | | | | required for virtual reality gaming, sight and sound |
| helmets, data suits, special tech-toys and even an | | | | are the easiest to simulate, especially in a 3d |
| omni-directional treadmill are also used to create | | | | reality. Advances are being made in other areas, |
| as virtual a simulated environment as possible. | | | | as well, such as the sense of smell. The Sony |
| This means that the environment you might find | | | | Corporation has been rumoured to be working on |
| yourself in could look and almost feel as real as | | | | a beaming technology that would engage the |
| the world you live in today. But it could, just as | | | | human brain in all senses, including taste. But that's |
| easily, be filled with a reality you've never faced | | | | pretty far off, yet. |
| before. Ever seen a real, living, breathing dinosaur | | | | As it stands today, the technology behind virtual |
| up close? You could, in a virtual reality gaming | | | | reality gaming is very cost prohibitive. So, don't |
| session! | | | | expect to be installing a holodeck in your house |
| Because this technology is still so new, it still has a | | | | anytime soon. You will have to keep your virtual |
| romanticism surrounding it. In the early 20th | | | | reality gaming sessions in your living room, in front |
| century, the phantasmagoria of live theater was | | | | of your TV or computer screen. |
| about as virtual as it got, and even then, did not | | | | |