Jamie Cottrell

Want to know how real VR feels? Ronnie O'Sullivan obviously thinks it is very real!!!!!!

Cloudlands: VR Minigolf - Level Editor

Golf. Sports on VR may seem quite an odd and abstract idea but as the weeks progress so there seems to be a new sports game hitting the market. We have seen some entertaining if not utterly realistic efforts in cricket and baseball that have whetted the appetite, and both facebook and Sky are developing full live and interactive sporting experiences. Our favourite so far though is Mini Golf. Simple, effective and hugely addictive. Cloudlands VR Minigolf is a basic idea – crazy golf on a variety of courses, some more easy than others. At times it can be frustrating as it is very easy to knock the ball by mistake but once you have mastered the art of hitting a ball towards a hole then the game becomes fun. The added bonus of the minigolf is that you can create your own course, meaning you can then play against people on exceptionally tricky greens designed so only you know the best way to the hole. It is immersive and fun and a delightful experience. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hgMPPlx7Yj0

This is Real - YOU VR

We have talked briefly before about how VR could shape the way we educate and learn, and it is starting to become clear that Virtual Reality could have a massive effect in changing the lives of the future. One area that is quickly becoming an education reality is within healthcare. Pioneers are using VR technology to educate and develop minds into how to interact with the human body and mind. This fascinating 5 minute promo gives a brief snapshot of how it can, and does, work. The idea of communicating with the mind to learn how we think is clearly not new – but VR offers a way to literally see into the workings of a human, to physically reach out and touch and examine cause and effect. In the video the developers talk about how they can use it to make a practical difference to patients and as the technology develops it is clear to see how this can be used to help all areas of healthcare. You can watch the video here: https://youtu.be/MDhioityjH8

Chernobyl VR Project - trailer

Addictive? So, with two of our team having been away from VR for the last 7 days, having spent the previous far too many days experiencing, we wondered if we would miss Virtual Reality, or if a break in the real world would be revitalising and rewarding. The truth was more surprising than we thought – although the break in ‘normailty’ was utterly delightful, relaxing and recharging, we both missed the excitement of exploring new worlds, new realms and no alternate visions. It is good to be back! As each week passes so there is a whole new core of games and experiences released as well as little teasers of titles coming soon. One of the most interesting new releases is the ‘Chernobyl VR Project’ which guarantees you an experience like no other – to tour a city destroyed by a reactor failure. There is no other medium where anything like this would be possible and the trailer below gives us some indication of just how good this could be: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=reIzoNE9WcE

The Revenant's Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu is working on a virtual reality short

Let's hope there is no bear in it - think that would be a bit too much.... http://www.empireonline.com/people/alejandro-gonzalez-inarritu/revenant-alejandro-gonzalez-inarritu-working-virtual-reality-short/

Timeline Photos

Try Before You Buy One of the more interesting routes the VR world is taking is the use of VR across the business world. A story released today suggests Louis Van Gaal was looking at integrating VR into his training methods before he was sacked, but it is not just tactical sports that could benefit. As the technology develops and VR usage becomes more common place we will find many businesses using VR to help sell their products. For example as a consumer imagine having a VR 3 minute taster of Disneyland. In the trailer you might have a quick ride on a rollercoaster, say hi to Mickey Mouse and have a flying tour over the whole of the park. The fully immersive and interactive VR experience would be far more likely to convince you to go and view it for yourself than any 2D or 3D video. Take this a stage further and not only can Virtual Tourism help sell holidays, but also experiences such as music festivals, theatre and, of course, sports. The idea of ‘Try before you buy’ has always been very successful for confident industries and products – the world of VR will open this world to many others. http://www.wearevirtuality.co.uk/our-diary.html

This Is What 50 Days Of Virtual Reality Exercise Can Do

Who needs a gym…? Ok so that headline may be a slight exaggeration at the moment but there is no doubt at all that some experiences on the HTC Vive are actually quite energetic. Even though you may not actually be walking you are still being active whilst fighting dinosaurs or people, shooting your bow and arrow or even just when you are exploring. VR sessions that last an hour or more (an hour may sound long but once you are immersed time does seem to fly by!) can actually make you build up a bit of a sweat and help you use muscles you wouldn’t normally use. And these are for non-specialist games. VR is being used to aid the recovery of serious injuries already in the States and the potential is there for further, more mainstream, development. The attached article highlights how one person has been using VR for weight loss and cardiovascular development – quite an achievement!!! http://uploadvr.com/50-days-virtual-reality-exercise/

Timeline Photos

Wires Looking at the HTC Vive it is clear to see why some people have concerns about getting caught up in the wires from the headset. It is a worry we have heard quite a few times, but a worry that is instantly forgotten about the moment you put the headset on. The main key for the Vive is just how realistic the virtual reality is. Unlike some VR experiences the Vive does indeed transport you to another world, so much so that the real world is utterly irrelevant the moment you put the headset on. The advantages of that mean you can get lost in VR for hours at a time, playing games or having experiences that are totally real without a thought or care for what is happening outside of the headset. Which all helps to explain the fact that the wires, and the headset, don’t matter. You quickly forget about both as you move around your alternate reality. The wires are still there but you don’t feel them, you won’t trip over them and they really won’t interfere with you experience. They lie on the back of your head and move as you do creating a smooth and seamless virtual existence. In fact the VR world of the Vive is so realistic that being immersed creates a unique perspective on reality – one which we can’t wait to share with our customers.

Our Blog

On today's blog we are looking at Green Screen and how we will integrate that into our gaming cafe - which means you can watch the experience unfold as they do: http://www.wearevirtuality.co.uk/our-blog.html

Timeline Photos

Thirsty work slaying the undead and a collection of monsters with only a sword and a longbow. Vanishing Realms is a seriously good VR game

Virtuality Gaming's cover photo

It goes without saying that one of the key features of Virtual Reality is how immersive an experience is. Obviously some experiences are more immersive than others but the HTC Vive does transcend genres and therefore there are some experiences you simply couldn’t replicate in real life. One of these is ‘The Visitor’. Whilst ‘The Visitor’ is by no means a subtle horror game - it literally follows the ‘quiet, quiet, BANG’ formula; the fact that you are in a virtual room, with all its’ virtual detail, means the bang when it comes is actually quite scary. Short, non-interactive and yet a very frightening thrill, as this short clip proves!