What is VR?

What is virtual reality?

Virtual reality (VR) is a simulated experience that transports the user into a fully immersive digital environment. The user is able to see a different universe and use their hands or controllers to interact with digital objects, given the impression that they have a physical presence in this new world. In effect. In many ways, VR is the next immersive step beyond regular "flatscreen" gaming, though both modalities have their strengths and weaknesses. 

Considerations for getting into VR

There are a few things that are worth considering for VR (which will be expanded upon in the dojo sections) that are worth understanding before jumping into this hobby:

Physical requirements

• Games are much more engaging, often requiring movement, or having to stand up (seated ones also exist, or ability to play either way)

• Motion sickness is common starting out, especially with games requiring world traversal using the controllers, but motion sickness can be overcome with practice in short order (more on this in the dojo section)

• Wearing a headset is required, which is extra weight and also produces heat, and with a lot of physical movement things can get a little sweaty

Vision

• VR headsets have complex optics where objects appear are focused on as though they were 1-2 meters away. So vision correction may be necessary for nearsighted or farsighted folks

• VR headsets can accommodate for glasses without too much compromise and are great if one has contacts

• Manufacturers of lenses will also make custom lenses for your VR headset providing you can supply your prescription to them, the cost is reasonable ($~50)

Space

• Games can often benefit from having more physical space, especially sports oriented ones. In general, having a space of 6'x6' will be more than enough, and in many titles you can get away with much less than that

• It is also possible to use the in-game motion and turn controls to play games completely stationary, such that the space requirements do not present any potential hurdles

• The play space should ideally be far away from items of high value (TVs, monitors, cats, toddlers...), as while one is in VR they often do not have visibility of the real world

• Certain headsets also require special tracking stations to be installed in the play space for improved tracking, but there are several good options that avoid this

Cost

• Entry level VR is relatively inexpensive ($200-300) while more advanced headsets can go for as high as several thousand dollars

• Some headsets have built in electronics, which allow to play "natively" or "standalone", though with reduced visual fidelity (though still quite impressive)

• Other headsets operate exclusively while tethered (with a special cable) to a relatively powerful computer, though this tends to attract more of the enthusiast rather than the average consumer

• Game costs typically range from $10-$40 and are purchased in a digital format from various storefronts

What is it like to be in VR?

Below are some examples that use a greenscreen that showcase what a VR gameplay experience is like. Unfortunately, videos like these do not do VR any justice, as what it feels like inside the headset is far better and more immersive than what can be conveyed in a flatscreen video. The reality is that the VR industry has an advertising problem and it's nearly impossible to convey what VR is like in a 2D video. One must either take the plunge and buy a headset (at a location with a good return policy) or you can use Meta's site to try out one of their Quest devices if there is a demo location near you. 

XR, AR, MR, VR, are you lost yet?

There are several concepts worth discussing when it comes to VR and how they relate to each other, as they will come up from time to time in your VR journey.

Virtual Reality (VR) refers to a virtual world that is fully digitized, where all objects are digital and only interact with each other

Augmented Reality (AR) refers to where digital objects are overlayed into the physical world, so there is a sort of merging between the real and the digital, however the digital objects have no awareness of the real world and there is no interaction between them

Mixed Reality (MR) is when real and digital objects are overlayed and the digital scene has awareness of the real world. For example, a demo called First Encounters has the player's living room be invaded by a spaceship and little critters that need to be collected by shooting them. The game is aware of the walls and has them being destroyed by the invaders...

Extended Reality (XR) is an all encompassing term that covers VR, AR and MR

Other ways to enjoy

Arguably the most exciting aspect of VR are interactive experiences and ultimately full fledged games, but there are other advantages to having a VR headset like using their augmented reality modes. In what is termed "passthrough" mode, the headset takes a video of your surroundings and display a 3D representation of it to you in real time, in effect you can wear a headset and still be able to navigate the real world. From here you can overlay various digital objects (eg. like Youtube videos) and go on about your day (like washing the dishes) while watching videos. You can likewise create giant screens to watch sports or movies right in VR, as though you own your very own high end home theater. 

But it's really about the games

As mentioned before, games are the most complete and immersive experiences available in VR. There is a broad range of categories and experiences which are quite different from each other and grant you new ways to play. Below is just a small selection of what is available and what you can expect to experience after getting setup rather quickly. 

What's next?

From here you keep learning about the history and current state of VR, or continue directly to VR dojo for a practical guide on how to work your way into this hobby. Otherwise check out the game recommendations and useful links.