TRF 600

Virtual Reality Storytelling

Dan Pacheco

NH 1 205 A

David Ewald Jones

My first experience with the VR headsets on day one was quite varied. The first headset we tried was the Google Cardboard with a Galaxy note 3 inside. My first impression was that for something you downloaded the plans to make for free, the experience wasn’t bad. However, the storytelling element was virtually non existent since as a viewer, I was stuck in one place with no way to move. One of our group felt nausea when she looked up but I failed to have the same feeling. It was a cartoon world so I didn’t feel very present. I felt like I was looking through a looking glass into another world. I also noticed the visible lines of resolution, which also helped in separating me from feeling immersed.

While I could turn completely around and look up and down, the tracking was a bit herky jerky. I also got tired of having to hold the device to my face with both hands the whole time with very limited sound coming from the phones speakers. This also added to the feeling I was looking though a device like an old Nickelodeon instead of being “present”. I would have preferred to be wired and hands free with a controller then forced to hold it with no motion. In short, I would say it is good for certain limited applications, maybe a low-res game or video experience but it didn’t come close to realizing the full potential of the medium.

Next we tried the Samsung Gear headset with a Galaxy Note 4 inside. That was a whole different story. The headset was hands free and while I still had limited to no control over my own movements, the experience was much more immersive, especially with the headphones on. I tried the Cirque du Soleil video and the Ocean Creatures experiences. While I could still see the individual lines of resolution, the increased picture quality was noticeable. I saw no one experience nausea. Even though the resolution wasn’t perfect, you really felt like you were there. When you looked to either side in the circus video, clowns would occasionally look back at you and talk. They would also point to the action on screen prompting you to look back forward. This technique was very effective in making you feel like you were part of the video.

For the ocean creatures, you were slowly guided through the icy waters looking at fish and Beluga whales while sharks surprised you from behind. This bit of minor startling was also effective at making you feel like you were there and a part of the created world even though it was obviously computer animated. Tracking was very smooth and a full range of motion was possible. When looking down you really felt like you were floating. When looking up, the water line really made you feel like you were underwater. A great experience over all.

The third headset was the Oculus DK1. While the graphics were very basic you still felt immersed, although it felt like you were trapped in a late nineties early 2000’s video game more than a constructed reality. Looking up and down was possible as was interacting with the doors. The biggest improvement over the previous two headsets was that you could control your movements. Moving from the main bridge to the ready room and looking out the window to see the planets made you feel a part of something but again, the graphics made sure it didn’t feel “too real”. I still enjoyed it and felt like I should have a phaser in my hand and fight some Borg invaders at any moment. I wanted to see more of the ship, maybe even sit in the navigator’s chair and take the Enterprise somewhere.

Again, no nausea was evident and the sound from the headphones helped the experience feel real enough to still be able to enjoy even if the graphics were blocky. Head tracking was seamless as well so the overall experience was fun if a bit campy. I did see some had some difficulty with the wires connecting the headset to the computer limiting their movements, especially when turning around. Either longer cords or a wireless solution should be worked on.

Lastly, the best overall experience was the Oculus DK2. The graphics were the best and even though all was computer animated, you really felt like you were there. The Lord of the Rings was a guided tour with no control but head tracking was flawless and the sound and full picture coverage really made you feel like you were there. Several times I felt like I wanted to take the oars and start rowing myself. One critique is that the paddles never actually dipped into the water, which cut the realism a bit. I loved the technique of having another paddler coming the other way to keep the feeling that you were in another world not just an empty computer model.

In the space adventure, you were in charge of a spacecraft and could travel the solar system at warp speeds. The fact that you had control and could move the ship around with reaction jets like the real shuttle used to orient itself, was a cool bit of realism that enhanced the experience. I only wish I had more time to visit all the planets.

Over all, I enjoyed the experiences very much. I can only imagine what a 4K resolution Oculus or Morpheus will look like. I would also like to see what a live action video shot in 360 with a high resolution and great sound would do for that feeling of “being there”. I’m imagining what that undersea video would have been like if it were shot in live action 4K. I can’t wait for that day to come.

The next experience I would like to have on the DK2 is Foreign_Nature. It looks like an incredible piece of art that reminds me of a less organic H.R. Giger creation. The vast spaces, scientific artwork created by fractals and great looking graphics will keep us entranced for some time I think.