Post #10

The Oculus Rift apparently had a huge leap forward in the virtual reality world by releasing it's latest prototype 'Crystal Cove' and has bagged them the award of Best of CES winner. Few of their latest features are:

• the ability to remove the stomach churning motion blur users have since experiencing with the previous generations of Oculus Rift
• having sensors plus a camera to track where your head and the body is to produce simulated movements as accurate as possible. (So, oculus rift doesnt only detect movement from your head, now if you move your body, the gear detects it too.)
• 1080p OLED display.

NASA too is using it to simulate a virtual tour through Mars along with the International Space Station. And is claimed by Mitchell that 2014 is gonna be the year of the VR. (Perton, 2014). With the emergence of their latest prototype, Crystal Cove, it furthers strengthen immersive gaming in the future, providing a close to reality experience virtually. Which in turns, strengthen my point; the possibility for people to start chanting spells to rid people of to the depths of hell. Perhaps, less aggressive.

Also, Oculus Rift is going to get commercial this year.




Another thing is that I recently found out about Virtuix Omni. Also a virtual reality tech but this one enables full movement of your body. Basically, allowing you to move as normal in the virtual world freely as oppose to Oculus Rift, granting it a much more immersive experience to the user. I believe Oculus Rift ad Omni are working together in this virtual experience. oculus rift sounds way cooler though


Going back to the novel, rather than the whole let patients be happy thing through VR tech, the Amusphere in the novel self creates the state of Locked-in Syndrome which stray away from what the Oculus Rift and Omni are currently collaborating at since they involve movements. Amusphere blocks and re channel nerve signals omitted from the brain, a step higher than what we have now if I must say and requires the least effort from the user and a much better gaming experience if done half paralyzed. I mean, what's easier than doing work without actually doing them but still gaining the experience of doing it all in the comfort of your bed. 


References:

Kawahara, R. (2011) Sword Art Online: Volume 7 - Mother's Rosario.  Translated from Japanese by Aiko and Teh_Ping. Japan: ASCII Media Works'Dengeki Bunko.

Perton, M. (2014) The Oculus Rift 'Crystal Cove' prototype is 2014's Best of CES winner. [Online] Available at: <http://www.engadget.com/2014/01/09/the-oculus-rift-crystal-cove-prototype-is-2014s-best-of-c/> [Accessed on: 10, January 2014]

Virtuix. (n.d.) Omni: Move Naturally in Your Favourite Game. [Online] Available at: <http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1944625487/omni-move-naturally-in-your-favorite-game> [Accessed on: 13 January, 2104]

Virtuix Omni. (2013) Virtuix Omni - E3 Virtual Reality Suite. [video online] Available at: <https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=u79_egrp0Pk> [Accessed on: 13 January, 2014]