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I think the future of gaming is heading for realism, with games like Delta Force, and CounterStrike being leading examples of realism. In the not to distant past, Force Feedback added another sense of realism in the way we physically play games. I think (and hope) that realism is the way games are heading, but in a more physical way, for example, "Virtual Reality." This may seem a little cliche, but it is more realistic than people think. I remember an episode of the X-files, that incorporated VR technology in a realistic way to an extent. The idea was, that the area was always the same shape, because the surroundings were just projected using computers onto the buildings walls. This is a good way of creating a new surrounding each time. And with graphics becoming almost photo-realistic (Take a look at the screenshots of GTA 3D, you'll see what I mean) it would look lifelike enough. Computers could also be used to create projected images of VR people and objects, and tiny circuits implemented into a jacket or suit could be used to send small electric shocks into the wearer to simulate bulletshots and other feelings. Infra red sensors are easily used to tell computers where people are, and radio transmitters could also be used in the same way. This way, the computer would know where you were to adjust the images to your sight, and this would be like Doom was, with the 2D images moving with you so you could only see the one side. Laser technology and light sensors can be used in a "Quasar" style, allowing interaction with othr human opponents, allowing for deathmatch style, with a small amount of pain from the suit for realism. Imagine this: You and 4 of your friends head over to the nearest "VR Blast" complex, recently set up by advanced computer games company. You enter, pay your money, and zip up in your boiler suit style clothing. You sit in the armoury room and wait for the countdown to finish. At 10, you grab 3 guns, one for each hand and one for your belt, and await the opening of the blast doors. 3, 2, 1, and the doors slide aside, revealing level 1 of Quake. With your 4 friends to back you up, you head through, blasting away at the mosters in blisteringly frightening surroundings. All of a sudden, you feel a sharp pain in your back, as one of your team mates accidently scuffs you with a little buckshot. And before you know it, the cooperative little swat team game has evolved into a bloodthirsty deathmatch romp in level 1. Very nice...You see, VR isn't that far away from us, and it isn't as complex as it used to be. Tell me what you think...
I don't think VR as such will be as 'immersive' as this. By which I mean I think that VR will be used in the future to enhance graphics rather than enhance the 'feelings' you experience whilst playing.
There is also the danger that passing small electric shocks to the body to represent impacts could turn out to have serious side effects and even fatalities.
In my view there are two ways that VR can go:
There's ARENA VR, of they LaserQuest style depicted in the original topic, where VR equipment is used to project surroundings/monster/feelings, so that multiplayer games like UT/Quake etc., can be played in lifelike surroundings.
Then there's CONSOLE VR, where VR is used purely to highlight realism, for which the Head Mounted Display Unit would need to be developed.
My greatest hope is that Holographic Projection technology could in some way be used to replace the TV screen/Monitor, so you could play games like Hidden and Dangerous on your back lawn, with the figures and landscapes projected onto your garden using holographic technology.
Or you could play Tetris and other 2D games on your bedroom wall using normal OHP projectors which can be done at present.
Or, best of all for me, you could have a holographic racetrack projected onto your bedroom floor, so you could have a holographic Scalectrix set, which instead of having to set up and pack up each time, you could just flick a switch and there you go.
VR for me means doing away with monitors and TV screens altogether. That's my projection of the future. :-)
There is also the danger that passing small electric shocks to the body to represent impacts could turn out to have serious side effects and even fatalities.
In my view there are two ways that VR can go:
There's ARENA VR, of they LaserQuest style depicted in the original topic, where VR equipment is used to project surroundings/monster/feelings, so that multiplayer games like UT/Quake etc., can be played in lifelike surroundings.
Then there's CONSOLE VR, where VR is used purely to highlight realism, for which the Head Mounted Display Unit would need to be developed.
My greatest hope is that Holographic Projection technology could in some way be used to replace the TV screen/Monitor, so you could play games like Hidden and Dangerous on your back lawn, with the figures and landscapes projected onto your garden using holographic technology.
Or you could play Tetris and other 2D games on your bedroom wall using normal OHP projectors which can be done at present.
Or, best of all for me, you could have a holographic racetrack projected onto your bedroom floor, so you could have a holographic Scalectrix set, which instead of having to set up and pack up each time, you could just flick a switch and there you go.
VR for me means doing away with monitors and TV screens altogether. That's my projection of the future. :-)
arrrghh, bloody virtual reality, it didn't work the first time for the head set it won't work the second! why because it gives you headaches!
This is so old it's boring.
I think the future of gaming is heading for realism, with games like Delta Force, and CounterStrike being leading examples of realism. In the not to distant past, Force Feedback added another sense of realism in the way we physically play games. I think (and hope) that realism is the way games are heading, but in a more physical way, for example, "Virtual Reality." This may seem a little cliche, but it is more realistic than people think. I remember an episode of the X-files, that incorporated VR technology in a realistic way to an extent. The idea was, that the area was always the same shape, because the surroundings were just projected using computers onto the buildings walls. This is a good way of creating a new surrounding each time. And with graphics becoming almost photo-realistic (Take a look at the screenshots of GTA 3D, you'll see what I mean) it would look lifelike enough. Computers could also be used to create projected images of VR people and objects, and tiny circuits implemented into a jacket or suit could be used to send small electric shocks into the wearer to simulate bulletshots and other feelings. Infra red sensors are easily used to tell computers where people are, and radio transmitters could also be used in the same way. This way, the computer would know where you were to adjust the images to your sight, and this would be like Doom was, with the 2D images moving with you so you could only see the one side. Laser technology and light sensors can be used in a "Quasar" style, allowing interaction with othr human opponents, allowing for deathmatch style, with a small amount of pain from the suit for realism. Imagine this: You and 4 of your friends head over to the nearest "VR Blast" complex, recently set up by advanced computer games company. You enter, pay your money, and zip up in your boiler suit style clothing. You sit in the armoury room and wait for the countdown to finish. At 10, you grab 3 guns, one for each hand and one for your belt, and await the opening of the blast doors. 3, 2, 1, and the doors slide aside, revealing level 1 of Quake. With your 4 friends to back you up, you head through, blasting away at the mosters in blisteringly frightening surroundings. All of a sudden, you feel a sharp pain in your back, as one of your team mates accidently scuffs you with a little buckshot. And before you know it, the cooperative little swat team game has evolved into a bloodthirsty deathmatch romp in level 1. Very nice...You see, VR isn't that far away from us, and it isn't as complex as it used to be. Tell me what you think...