Virtual Reality

Virtual reality began with silent movies on a black and white screen. Electronic and computer engineers are leaders in improving the virtual reality experience. So, what is virtual reality? Virtual reality is a 3-dimensional graphic representation of a human experience using a computer. The human experience includes sight, hearing, feel, and smell. Scientists are now working improving the sense of taste. Virtual reality is a surreal experience used to build the human experience.

Many technologies are needed to create a virtual world. The three main technologies are hardware and software. Hardware may include a glove, visor, or treadmill. Software may be graphic libraries like OpenGL and Direct3D. For virtual reality to work, the user inputs data using the hardware – such as moving the fingers of the glove. [1] Then, the hardware outputs data by using the software – like the hand on the screen moves. This is all possible because of motion sensors. Motion sensors allow the hardware to talk to the software. An example of a device which uses motion sensors is the Nintendo Wii. Video game industries are using programming languages, such as C++ and Java, to create 3D environments. Scientists may be replacing those languages in today’s time. [2]

Simulations, or close to real-life experiences, can be found in today’s society. Most children are exposed to virtual reality at the elementary school level. As young students have “Tamagachi,”[3] where they need to feed, play, and put to sleep their own pet. As they grow older, they play on facebook. The most common facebook game is “the Sims Social.” [4] The game creates a world of what owning a house and family is similar. The world is a lifelike experience; but the disadvantage is the limited display and technology to actually live in the “Sim world.” As college kids get older, adults talk about playing MMORPG’s (also known as Massive Multiplayer Role Playing Games). These virtual worlds are larger and require more time and dedication. The newest summer hit is Diablo III[5]. Women and men battle each other to compete for the most wealth. As technology improves, communication, imaging, and processing power may improve the experience of gaming at low costs.

In conclusion, virtual environments allow people to experience the situations of others. Virtual reality consists of primarily two parts: hardware and software. They are found in today’s society through video games. This kind of technology makes almost anything possible. A whole new world can be created making all wishes and desires to come true.

[1] http://www.nordtech.ubm.ro/issues/2010/2010.01.09.pdf pg 58-61

[2] http://searchcio-midmarket.techtarget.com/definition/virtual-reality

[3]http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2005-06-09/news/0506090424_1_tamagotchi-virtual-pet-previous-pets
[4]http://www.techradar.com/news/internet/web/ea-sues-claims-zynga-copied-the-sims-social-1091168
[5]http://www.ingame.msnbc.msn.com/technology/ingame/diablo-iii-will-let-you-sell-virtual-loot-real-money-121769