When do we get proper VR?

[AntiThesis]

Virtual Reality is something the gaming and PC industry has been talking about for absolutely ages. What's happened so far? Bugger all.

There've been some clunky helmet and glove assemblies but nothing even approaching what everyone got all hot and sticky about (Star Trek Holodecks). I want some development here! I'd much rather play WoW or DarkFall in a huge, immersive VR world than on a piddly 19" monitor.

[phoenix]

/goes off on a slight tangent

I think we may have to wait a little longer for the little rodents AMD and nVidia pack into their GPUs to get up to speed on Holodeck-quality graphics.

Would you settle for less than perfect visuals and a lightweight "real-life field of view" helmet with a Wiimote-like controller or are you holding out for a more complete detachment from reality akin to jacking into the Matrix. How would you feel about interfacing with a computer system via your brain stem if such a thing were possible.
Would you risk it?

[AntiThesis]

I'd be more than happy to augment myself with computery bits that made me able to deal with VR.

I think focus does need to be taken away from the complexity of the GPU (since you could essentially just use several million crappy ones rather than one uber one - something akin to cloud computing). Since my eyes and brain are already capable of seeing reality it would be much more efficient to create a bridge between a PC and my mind than spend countless millions on research into an awesome GPU/holodeck.

[phoenix]

Hmmm....I am thinking of the unsavoury uses such a wetware:software interface might attract. How feasible might it be to transfer the equivalent of malware to the human brain once such a bridge has been established?

We may have to be more wary than we are with our computers.

Might several million mediocre gpus not be a tall order for the average working stiff, or
do you see VR as something which would happen at entertainment complexes?

[AntiThesis]

I dunno... I spose you could do a brain virus but that would just mean the advent of Brain Anti-Virus. Nod32Brain kinda idea.

Besides, most viruses infect stupid people. As long as you didn't brain click the link that says "L0lZ. Free games for realz yo!" you should be OK.

I think the technology wouldn't be terribly hard to do. All you need is an interface and really now I think about it - you woudn't even need software in your brain. All you'd need is an interface to your optic nerves and other senses and you'd be sorted.

Game is processed as all text (so smaller payload, smaller bandwidth, faster, no lag) and sends impulses through to the brain that tell it what you're seeing by stimulating the various parts.

[Magnarmalok]

Well.Hentai's gonna make a killing then I tell ya

[AntiThesis]

lol

Yes I spose it will Perhaps Japan will be the place to get it out

[phoenix]

I was thinking of something more subtle:a Mind-Virus capable of spreading via the BrainNet [or HiveMind :P] along whatever communications pathways such a meeting of minds might use. Then again, it would be the less well-informed who might not know how to secure their minds against malicious input.

/yes, I know that doesn't make for pleasant reading, but they are the only sentences my brain is generating at present.Contact me if you know how I might upgrade to Brain 2.1 SP5.

[AntiThesis]

Aah see that's why my way would work well

Text based input means no viruses and since it's only impulses stimulating your various bits of brain, it would just mean you could be sent "bad" images if you had no protection on your regular PC.

[phoenix]

/subliminal messages?