In the late 1980’s the movie “Lawnmower Man” introduced popular culture to the concept of virtual reality for the first time.  The idea of a person being able to interact with a 3-dimensional world has inevitably evolved from that point.  But, there are several indicators that point out how we are just about in that virtual reality today.  Computer gaming technology, Augmented Reality technology and modern 3D or 4D projection is pushing the boundary of what is possible.

Modern computer games have come a far way from Pong, Tetris and Pacman.  Today’s gaming environments are massive players aren’t limited to what can be fitted onto the screen or scrolled across it.  Gaming environments are deep 3-dimensional creations that allow the player to walk around just about anywhere. In this persistent environment it is also possible to interact with more than just the characters created by the game’s author – multiplayer environments that allow hundreds or even thousands of players to be online at the same time are the norm – with players interacting in real-time with each other.

The cinema circuit around the world is currently abuzz with discussion of the movie Avatar and James Cameron’s ground-breaking use of 3D technology.  In theme parks around the world they are adding a fourth dimension to 3D.  This extra dimension can be the use of motion or physical sensation e.g. a light spray of water to simulate rain while watching a rainy scene in 3D.  The US military is taking this a step further in the development of virtual reality therapy. Soldiers coming back from war who are battling with post-traumatic stress are taken through a 3D simulation of the situation that resulted in their illness.  This simulation includes a game like persistent environment, motion simulation through a seat that is hydraulically manipulated, sound, physical sensations like heat and water, and also associated smells.  Therapists using this technique report that it is one of the most effective therapeutic tools for post-traumatic stress that they have ever encountered.

Augmented reality takes all of this a step further by augmenting virtual reality with real life content, or conversely displaying virtual content in a real-life setting.  This augmented reality experience is now actively blurring the boundary between what is real and what is not (or is virtual).  Some of the applications on the iPhone have been created to use this technology.  Using the iPhone’s camera the screen shows a real-life and real-time picture of what the person can see around them.  But, the software on the phone uses images and content that is sitting on the internet and overlays a transparent ‘skin’ over the camera image it combines virtual content.  For example, this will allow virtual tour guides who recognize the specific artefact you are looking at to give you detailed information on what you are looking at, along with real-time links to complementary websites that you can visit, while looking at the artefact or building.

The new generation of graphics cards are coming with built in 3D ability.  As we start to see these three separate technology streams begin to merge the innovation and marketing possibilities are significant.

Guest Post by Raymond de Villiers, CEO of Wisdom Games