I’ve always been very interested in being able to interact with games in different ways. Whether it’s motion control with a remote, full-body tracking with Xbox Kinect, or a controller made specifically for the game.
Virtual reality is something I’ve always dreamed of seeing in movies and shows when I was a kid, but it’s become a reality much sooner than I expected. Although it is widely available, we feel we need more time and content to continue rolling out new devices.
With the release of the Nintendo Wii and Xbox Kinect, these were hits with families and were considered huge successes, but there is no such standout, especially when it comes to virtual reality. Although this is a huge advancement in technology and has applications in schools, workplaces, homes, and many other places, it still feels like it’s flying under the radar and we don’t hear about it much.
One of the first things I bought after finishing my first job was a Samsung HMD Odyssey+ Windows Mixed Reality headset, and I really enjoyed it for the first few weeks I got it. It was so new and insane to experience video games in this way, but after a while, even after I upgraded to the Oculus Quest 2, I started using them less and less.
The main problems I have with virtual reality are the lack of engaging games even years after their initial release, and the struggle to keep large numbers of players engaged in multiplayer games. accessibility and public accessibility.
I was able to purchase a headset, but many of these headsets require a powerful computer to function and cost well over $1,000 for both. There are also standalone headsets, but they don’t get much attention these days and can still be expensive long after their initial release.
It’s also more labor-intensive than regular gaming, as you have to go through a tedious setup process, strapping it to your head and preparing a controller. When you realize you’re only playing the same number of games, it feels like there aren’t enough games out there right now to do all this extra work.
Some of these games have added virtual reality modes later, but they can cause problems as well. For example, the popular ghost hunting game, phobiaIt really amplifies the fear you feel when you’re thrown into a virtual reality world, but if you end up dying because of a ghost, you can just walk around throwing things while you wait for your team to finish. .
It’s kind of funny, but I feel like in virtual reality there shouldn’t be a situation where you’re waiting for someone else to continue playing. I love the idea of virtual reality and I still really enjoy games like: beat saberbut there’s still a lot of work to be done before it becomes more common in homes.
I really hope it thrives and continues to evolve from here, but since the Oculus Quest 3 just recently launched at a fairly hefty price tag of $500 for the lowest storage option, its The process seemed very slow. I’d like to see more great games come out, but nothing that makes a big impact or gets labeled as a system seller that regular consoles can get.