I Love VR, But It Also Makes Me Sad | Semi-Ramblomatic
Added 2025-01-23 16:03:11 +0000 UTCThis week's episode of Semi-Ramblomatic is now available!
Comments
VR, for me (as if anyone cares), is best for rhythm games. I already immerse myself imaginatively in a flashy world where I can dance like Christopher Walken to Weapon of Choice when listening to music. VR brings the jazzy effects to life, wins me points, gives me haptic feedback and allows me to not give a shit what my housemates think as I can't see or hear them (unless they laugh especially hard). Love it for certain games!
Lorna Smith
2025-01-30 16:29:47 +0000 UTCI don't think it will ever replace other forms of gaming. Just like how consoles didn't replace PCs and mobile/handheld gaming didn't kill console/PC gaming. It is another platform that has its own niche. I think it will continue to grow and games that are best experienced in VR will be available in VR and, if possible, other platforms as well. Even right now a lot of VR first games support pancake experiences, but are still best experienced in VR. Just like how mobile/handheld versions of console/PC games don't replace the console version because that is still a better way to experience it. We have reached a point where VR is a real contender for everyday use, rather than a gimmick and that will only continue. Even if the big companies drop out, others will sprout up to continue it. If you look at the history of gaming, this has always been the case with new platforms. VR had a lot of false starts, but so did handhelds and even consoles themselves. The biggest detriment right now is how difficult it is for newbies to get started, but that has improved by huge strides in the last few years and cost of entry, which has also improved.
DrummerGeek
2025-01-25 21:30:48 +0000 UTCYou really only need to look at obesity statistics to really understand why VR will never catch on, and even that doesn't fully illustrate the problem, because even the non-obese just play video games to relax, not to physically exert themselves, and it's weird how many people seem to miss this very important point. If people played games to exert themselves physically, they'd play real sports; if people played games to exert themselves mentally, they'd play Chess or Go. The truth is, people play games to relax and unwind and forget they exist at all, not to be reminded of their poor physical health. The proof is all around us, VR definitely hit "good enough" status a couple years ago and it didn't take off, and it's not going to. I wouldn't bet on AR moving the needle in the gaming space either, for the exact same reasons.
Brad Root
2025-01-24 07:42:16 +0000 UTCIt feels a bit reductive to assume the success case for VR has to mean total market dominance and discarding of all other methods of playing games. ...that said, I can see where that might be coming from given that VR hardware AND games are currently expensive and difficult to make, and once the initial novelty dries up they'd need to be incredibly successful to justify further investment. There might be a potential future down the line where VR glasses are just another interface option, for particular genres and preferences, but that would require even more quantum leaps in hardware advances to make it cheap and convenient enough to not have to be a major selling point. Comparisons to 3D movies are probably not off base here; that even when pushed hard ultimately only a handful of films are actually willing and able to make full use of the concept as more than a gimmick, and ultimately it doesn't justify the expense and inconvenience involved.
Swift Justice
2025-01-24 07:17:14 +0000 UTCIf I were both well off and neurotypical, I would love VR gaming. Since I happen to be a plebe with some type of spectrum related condition, I really don't miss it.
Cynthia McGarvie
2025-01-24 02:22:02 +0000 UTCIt's the removal of awareness that keeps me from VR. I like the world around me and I am very paranoid. Who knows what mice are planning.
Novikous
2025-01-23 21:09:22 +0000 UTCPlease rub me
Sven F.
2025-01-23 20:46:28 +0000 UTCOn the subject of most breakthroughs being about not being immersed; this is also why those exercise games with motion controls tend to get regular releases and versions, cuz they do well. On my end I know I can't be bothered to go to the gym (at least not without a gym buddy)... but I'll gladly sweat buckets playing Fitness Boxing to please the waifu coach lmao. Personally, I have warmed up to motion controls somewhat as well. Not the gimmicky shake the controller to attack stuff, but in terms of motion aiming for shooters they can work pretty well. I played all of Metroid Prime Remastered with the emulated Wii Trilogy controls (using detached Joycons), and I would say that I personally enjoyed that more than with the two sticks.
David C
2025-01-23 20:10:28 +0000 UTCThe Battlezone remake had a similar first person tactical approach. As did Carrier Command. As I understand it, one of the reasons Google Glass was dropped was with the legality of filming people without notifying them. Many jurisdictions don't allow allow that, which is why you may sometimes see use of CCTV signposted. Google just didn't want the hassle for what was shaping up to be a very niche market.
Ronny Cook
2025-01-23 19:57:33 +0000 UTCI also quite like VR, but I think it will always be “different” from regular games, rather than a replacement. A big point for me is comfort: a lot of people want to play games in a relaxed position, like sitting on a couch, but most VR games want you up and moving. I enjoy both, but they’re pretty separate activities for me.
Dan McAlister
2025-01-23 19:55:50 +0000 UTCOne of my VR favorites is actually Moss, which isn't first person and works quite well! Granted, the concept has to support that kind of perspective, but it's definitely an example of something from a different view in VR.
Megan Fix Rothbloom
2025-01-23 18:05:56 +0000 UTCHa, loved this one. Totally agree with all your points; I dropped out of VR once I had a child and it was no longer reasonable to seal off all my senses while in the home (or anywhere, really). I feel VR is at best a hardware and software developer training ground for AR. Once the AR tech is light enough, the practical and entertainment possibilities will draw in the mainstream along with those early adopters.
Marcus Trapp
2025-01-23 17:58:24 +0000 UTCI would play the hell out of a VR strategy game along the lines of Sacrifice (year 2000 Interplay game), where the commander is among the combatants and having to call the shots in the midst of battle. If, you know, I could afford a VR set.
Chris Baxter
2025-01-23 17:40:05 +0000 UTCYour remark about real time strategy just made me think of two games I played in VR. Brass Tactics and Defense Grid 2. Sure Defense Grid 2 was more of a Tower Defense, but it related to that genre. But the way they made it work was that it presented the game as if you were peering over a battle field like you were some kind of general or building towers in this diorama. And while the game didn't do this, who wouldn't want to play pretend general with one of those plotter rods. I admit that the defense grid 2's use of VR was completely unnecessary for the game. But I really did like the diorama aspect of it as you watched little aliens run through the environment.
Andrew Hannon-Rizza
2025-01-23 16:46:56 +0000 UTC
