Romero: Virtual Reality Is A Fad

John Romero revealed a strong opinion against VR. He went as far as calling Virtual Reality a fad, and a step back from where games are nowadays.

[Alexious]

I've tried the Oculus for two consecutive years at Gamescom and I have to agree that while it's cool, I'm not really sure it will topple over UltraHD gaming.

[Festano]

I'd be curious to try the new version hd output recently to see the progress.

[TardcoreGamer]

VR is niche. It will have its day in the sun but for the average consumer it will be a passing novelty. It's too intrusive for any casual gamer use in the long term I feel.

There will be ground breaking gaming experiences that only VR will be able to produce though and that's why I'm fully committed to investing into the technology.

[vlashyr]

Surely it is a good product being improved, it should be optimized since it takes a considerable hardware to work well Oculus Rift.

[Mostafeto]

Yeah and the development is harder on Oculus Rift than on consoles and PC and I think this is one of the main reasons developers aren't making tons of games for it

[LavaLampGoo]

I can't decide. I thought 3D films would be a fad but theyre still going, but then Kinect just died on its feet...
I think it might have a place in the market, so long as it doesnt oversell itself

[Alexious]

Personally I always choose 2D when I'm going to the cinema...And so do all my friends.

[tinynuggins]

Yeah 3D movies are all but dead. 3D TV's have been dead for years.

[MysticStrummer]

Same here, but once in awhile I have to watch the 3D version for one reason or another. It's come a long way for sure and doesn't seem to be going away.

VR will stay a fringe tech until the quality gets high enough and the price gets low enough, then it will explode in popularity for games and other interactive entertainment as well as educational applications.

[Mikeyy]

I couldn't stand 3D movies either. It's just always so dark and all the background and scenery is always blurry. I couldn't enjoy movies this way.

[jnemesh]

Fortunately, while VR does provide stereoscopic 3D, it's not the same as watching a 3D movie or TV. It makes all the difference in the world when you have one display for each eye (no strobing, flickering, or darkening of the image!)...and on top of that you have dynamic head tracking too!

[Debaitable]

Intentional 3d movies are worth it imo. 3d converted movies are better off watching in 2d. I think 3D can make a comeback if they can make TV sets glasses free with a wide viewing angle but that's proving rather difficult.

I think both have a good chance if it's cost efficient not just for consumers but for creators as well. Someone has to get the ball rolling to get it at the happy medium tho.

[denawayne]

"but then Kinect just died on its feet... "

I use Kinect everyday and I'm sure most Xbox One owners do as well.

[Death]

6 PS4 fans disagree.

[wsoutlaw87]

for what? voice commands isnt really kinect because thats just called a microphone.

[Aurenar]

I think that Romero was a fad. Maybe VR is not the future of gaming, but it could have many applications, not just for fun.

[Death]

Give some examples.

[Pandamobile]

Training, rehabilitation, simulators, virtual tourism, etc.

There's tons of applications outside of gaming.

[mushroomwig]

It must be the longest fad in history then, people have been wanting it for the past 30 years or so.

[Alexious]

Yeah, but it never caught on. How many technologies succeeded after trying for so long?

[Elwenil]

Flight, electricity, guns, automobiles, spaceflight, medicine, etc...

[wsoutlaw87]

its not that that some stuff never catches on, its that the quality isnt good. If people want something like vr then obviously it will "catch on". It just has to be executed good enough, which takes time and technology.

[johndoe11211]

I'm beginning to think that you're trolling. That comment makes no sense. The technologies never succeeded because it was never there. How many technological advances have only been possible now because we have the tech to accomplish it?

Because they failed in the past means they should never ever try to get it right? I can't even begin to understand your logic. We're closer now than ever before and they should just stop because It didn't work 20 years ago?

[jnemesh]

I seem to remember similar comments about television...

If Romero can't see the impact this technology will have, he is a relic of the past. This isn't like 3D movies or TV, it's completely different. To hear someone who is somewhat respected in the game community spout nonsense like this is rather shocking.

But judging by his "work" lately...in a few years we will all be saying "John who?"...while happily enjoying our VR headsets!

[Death]

For VR to be successful, you will need some way to accurately track body movement. Perhaps a camera that can map a persons skeletal structure and translate it to games. If this device also had an audio input so you could give voice commands, that would really make VR more immersive. Surely a device with technology like this would be embraced by gamers everywhere. Unfortunately, the public outcry so far has been to rip it from consoles and cast it aside. It's impressive to see so many that can envision how great VR is, but completely downplay any immersive technology released on a competing console. Good luck with VR.

[GordyNYC]

This will probably go down as one of the dumbest comments since Roger Ebert's "Games aren't art" tirade...

[MCTJim]

I tend to agree with Romero. I do not think the technology exists at this time that will provide a true VR experience without busting the average consumers wallet. 400 bucks for VR is in my opinion is not enough to make it a good experience they have to make it affordable but in doing so they cheap out on what make VR ...Well VR. Right now It's a niche market to bring it to the consumer at this time.

[Ingram]

...says the flamboyant daikatana guy who ended up making phone games after a lackluster record.

[PrinceOfAllSaiyans]

I agree

[Mrveryodd]

Wait till the porn industry gets hold of it. There will be one in every second home ( well mine anyway )

[Mr Tretton]

I'm amazed at some people's lack foresight on VR. It's going to change so many things.

[Death]

I'm amazed at some people's lack of foresight on Kinect. It's available technology that could change many things today including making VR more immersive. Chasing a little blue orb of light has limitations.

[calactyte]

True Kinect could make VR more immersive but it isn't accurate enough for finger tracking which the next big innovation needed. I'm not talking palm open palm closed but individual finger tracking. Where move excels is it is cheaper tech and has less latency than Kinect. I use Kinect Fitness and the lag is still visually noticeable where Sports Champions feels 1:1 with movements.

[wsoutlaw87]

yes a full room scanner with completely accurate tracking and multiple cameras at different positions that could track all movements would make it more immersive, but kinect isnt that. It doesnt work absolutely perfect and thats why it doesnt work for games.

[Death]

Which is why Morpheus is destined to fail. Tracking on the PS4 is archaic compared to what Kinect is capable of. Without accurate tracking you are just strapping a small vid screen to your face.

[calactyte]

Ok so picture the halodeck from StarTrek. Virtual Reality will be like that within 5 years. You will get lost in your games. I've tried VR first hand and please let me tell you that you owe it to yourself to keep an open mind. It will be as big as color TV, microwaves and cellphones.

Statements like these will enter the annals of history along with gems like 'why would anyone want a personal computer?' and 'everyone knows money is made on the hardware.'

The best part about today is the internet never forgets. So when people make these comments the world can laugh at how wrong they were for eternity.

[molsen81]

But you look so cool with the VR headset on your noggin!

[ibrake4naps]

Vr is like 3d. The concept has been around a long time, the tech will be around forever and only improve, and a lot of people will dig it (but most won't) .