Infamous Quests

Public Forums => Banter and Chit-Chat! => Topic started by: Blackthorne on February 20, 2013, 06:31:46 PM

Title: Oculus Rift
Post by: Blackthorne on February 20, 2013, 06:31:46 PM
So, if you haven't heard about this, the Occulus Rift is a set of Virtual Reality "glasses" or headset that was funded in a very successful Kickstarter Last year.  (Goal=$250,000 - final take $2.5 million +)

Check out their website here, and see the video for more detailed information. http://www.oculusvr.com/ (http://www.oculusvr.com/)


Now, this appears popular due to the money raised, but me - I couldn't give a crap, really.  In fact, I've documented my preference for the disconnect between man and machine, especially in gaming, but I hear people cry all the time "Immersion, Immersion, Immersion...." about their games.

For me, one of the things I liked about gaming was knowing it was a fantasy - I don't like to believe things that happen in video games are real.  I do like to have an emotional connect to the content, but I like to have my feet firmly planted in reality.  Devices like the Occulus Rift, to me, just seem to promote more isolation and immersion into a world that is not real - people often seem to have a problem making a disconnect with the way things are now. 

Plus, Virtual Reality seemed so interesting over 20 years ago.... I mean, remember that movie "The Lawnmower Man"?  Hahah....  even though the technology is better now, just because you can doesn't mean you should. 

Though I grew up with video games being the Arcade experience.  Playing video games in an arcade, especially in the early 80's, was an experience - and only 10% of it was actually playing the games.


Anyway, we have some people here I know have opinions?  Thoughts?


Bt
Title: Re: Oculus Rift
Post by: Goatmeal on February 20, 2013, 08:57:07 PM
Man, I miss me some Aladdin's Castle at the local malls...   :'(

When Sam Flynn hit the main breaker switch in "Tron: Legacy" and Flynn's Arcade lit up after all those years with all of those machines coming back to life, and Journey's "Separate Ways" started booming in the background...

...I got chills watching that on the big screen.

Kids today will NEVER know how that feels...
Title: Re: Oculus Rift
Post by: Blackthorne on February 20, 2013, 09:00:05 PM
Man, I miss me some Aladdin's Castle at the local malls...   :'(

When Sam Flynn hit the main breaker switch in "Tron: Legacy" and Flynn's Arcade lit up after all those years with all of those machines coming back to life, and Journey's "Separate Ways" started booming in the background...

...I got chills watching that on the big screen.

Kids today will NEVER know how that feels...

You're ABSOLUTELY right.  That moment in Tron Legacy really pumped back some old memories for me.  I had an older brother who used to hang out at the arcade at the mall a lot in the Early 80's, and I was always his tag-along.... man, there was some magic in those machines.


Bt
Title: Re: Oculus Rift
Post by: SarahLiz on February 22, 2013, 01:43:40 AM
Oh man, who could forget Aladdin's Castle??  Geez I guess I'm officially old...

To me the whole point in playing games is to "take a break", get away from the hum-drum of every day life.  But it is just that--a break--I personally don't want a game to feel like real life.  That's probably part of why I detest modern "adventure" games, all annoying 3D-ness of it.  Too realistic.  Blechh.
Title: Re: Oculus Rift
Post by: Blackthorne on February 22, 2013, 07:35:40 AM
Yeah - you hit it right there for me, Sarah.... I think the technology that allows for such graphics is a technological marvel... but I always liked my video games NOT to resemble real-life.  I'm looking for a video game, not a simulation.


Bt
Title: Re: Oculus Rift
Post by: s_d on February 24, 2013, 01:41:32 AM
...modern "adventure" games...

Ah, be careful using that term, Sarah!  Lamb tore me a new one in another thread, for doing so  :P
Title: Re: Oculus Rift
Post by: Lambonius on February 24, 2013, 02:09:12 AM
...modern "adventure" games...

Ah, be careful using that term, Sarah!  Lamb tore me a new one in another thread, for doing so  :P

Haha...I don't know if I would put it quite that harshly.  ;)  I've been known to tear plenty of fans new ones, but never when they've actually financially donated (and in your case donated time, too!) to our cause.  I'll have to check myself.  ;)
Title: Re: Oculus Rift
Post by: s_d on February 24, 2013, 03:01:29 AM
Haha...I don't know if I would put it quite that harshly.  ;) 

Just being a tad dramatic, but certainly, call me out if needed.  I'm I big boy, I can take it.

I'll have to check myself.  ;)

But then you'll be less funny...
Title: Re: Oculus Rift
Post by: s_d on February 24, 2013, 04:11:29 AM
I think the technology that allows for such graphics is a technological marvel...

I'm actually pretty excited about the Rift, but less so for it's utility in video games.  I think it could provide a pretty amazing immersive cinema experience, as well as a great tool for various simulation/visualization purposes (I'm thinking BBC's Planet Earth or similar).

It might also be fun for space sims under joystick control, at least until I completely lose track of up and down and spew chunder all over myself.
Title: Re: Oculus Rift
Post by: Blackthorne on August 19, 2013, 10:16:49 AM
So, I keep seeing more buzz about the Occulus Rift VR!  People are going nuts over this.

I really don't understand the appeal - this sounds like stuff I was interested in 20 years ago when I saw the Lawnmower man.  I don't understand how this is "revolutionary".



Bt
Title: Re: Oculus Rift
Post by: chucklas on August 19, 2013, 03:18:44 PM
For me, you hit the head on the nail in the first post of the thread.  I love arcade games, and one of the reasons is that you can play for 15 minutes and walk away.  The games are made to be that way, instead of making you feel like you are actually a part of the game itself.  I also prefer to be disconnected.  That was one of the things that attracted me to adventure games.  I could play for a little buit, save my game, come back later.  I didn't feel like I had to play the whole game in one nigt (although, I did that from time to time too).
Title: Re: Oculus Rift
Post by: Myrddin Starfari on August 22, 2013, 02:53:26 AM
We've already got people who can't get away from their electronic devices.  Aside from computers I've encountered people who might just die without their phones.

How about they make games that draw you in rather than trying to draw you in with a gimmick (I may be a geek but I still mock technology). 

Then there's the old comment about second life, that some of these people might want to get a first one.
Title: Re: Oculus Rift
Post by: Blackthorne on August 23, 2013, 09:40:25 AM
We've already got people who can't get away from their electronic devices.  Aside from computers I've encountered people who might just die without their phones.

Quoted for truth.

Quote
How about they make games that draw you in rather than trying to draw you in with a gimmick (I may be a geek but I still mock technology). 

Quoted for even more truthier truth.

Quote
Then there's the old comment about second life, that some of these people might want to get a first one.

Quoted 'cause it's funny!

Bt
Title: Re: Oculus Rift
Post by: Corrigan on August 23, 2013, 09:58:37 AM
I don't have a problem with the feeling of immersion in games, in the sense that it's a good measure of how engaging the story is, and how cohesive the world they created is that you could get wrapped up in it and lose track of time, but I like that barrier between me and the action.  I like to sit on my couch and hold a controller, or at my desk with my mouse and keyboard.  I don't wanna have to jump around and wave my arms like a nutjob to make things happen in-game, and wearing a big daft scuba-mask headset just to see it doesn't appeal much either.

Bottom line, you can be immersed in a game the same way you can with a film or a good book.  They don't have to strap it to your face.
Title: Re: Oculus Rift
Post by: Blackthorne on August 23, 2013, 10:14:36 AM
HAMBURGER IN MY FACE.

- Herr Schwärzdorn
Title: Re: Oculus Rift
Post by: Corrigan on August 23, 2013, 10:51:34 AM
Free bald eagle and Stars'n'stripes bathing suit with every purchase!
Title: Re: Oculus Rift
Post by: Lambonius on August 23, 2013, 11:27:51 AM
(http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t97/Lambonius/lone_star_speedo_zps30009199.jpg)
Title: Re: Oculus Rift
Post by: Corrigan on August 23, 2013, 12:54:02 PM
Can't. Be. Unseen. ><
Title: Re: Oculus Rift
Post by: Lambonius on August 23, 2013, 01:17:14 PM
Can't. Be. Unseen. ><

As you might expect, there's a funny story behind that pic.  ;) 
Title: Re: Oculus Rift
Post by: Goatmeal on August 23, 2013, 01:21:23 PM
Can't. Be. Unseen. ><

As you might expect, there's a funny story behind that pic.  ;)

There's no way it'll ever be funny enough...   :P
Title: Re: Oculus Rift
Post by: Lambonius on August 23, 2013, 01:31:15 PM
Can't. Be. Unseen. ><

As you might expect, there's a funny story behind that pic.  ;)

There's no way it'll ever be funny enough...   :P

I'll just point out that I'm the one in the middle who is holding his beer most like a giant penis.
Title: Re: Oculus Rift
Post by: Goatmeal on August 23, 2013, 03:05:23 PM
Can't. Be. Unseen. ><

As you might expect, there's a funny story behind that pic.  ;)

There's no way it'll ever be funny enough...   :P

I'll just point out that I'm the one in the middle who is holding his beer most like a giant penis.

Fair enough.  That's a little funny...   :)
Title: Re: Oculus Rift
Post by: Blackthorne on August 23, 2013, 03:12:51 PM
Dude, I literally have no words.  This is amazing.

Bt
Title: Re: Oculus Rift
Post by: Lambonius on August 23, 2013, 03:24:23 PM
Dude, I literally have no words.  This is amazing.

Bt

Just imagine how much better it would be viewed through Oculus Rift!
Title: Re: Oculus Rift
Post by: Jerminator on August 23, 2013, 04:54:55 PM
Damnit Lamb. Why? God. Why?

It did make me laugh, because I immediately spotted you.