Although I’ve watched others experience VR before, I had never experienced it for myself until Wednesday in class. Before trying it, I was skeptical if the graphics would be high enough quality to make me feel physically transported into the scene being portrayed. However, I was quickly proven wrong.

First, I tried using Google Cardboard. Having to hold the device prohibited me from feeling fully immersed in the scene. I was experiencing flying from a bird’s perspective. The quality of the image was poor in regards to the realistic look of the scenery and birds, but nonetheless I was able to experience the feelings of flying. Although I was consciously aware that I was not in the scene, the device was a good start for someone who has never experienced any kind of VR.

Next, I tried the HoloLens. My favorite part about this device is how it is a Mixed Reality rather than simply VR. However, I wasn’t able to feel fully immersed and present in the scene because of the transparency in the lens. I thought the resolution was great in the graphics and enjoyed the audio and thought it added the extra value that helped make the scene more present. I also really enjoyed how you have the option to interact with the menu functions by both speaking and using hand motions. However, the hand motions were some times difficult to sync with the device, which was frustrating at times. I thought the lens had good tracking, but one part I found annoying was if you tried on the lens after someone else, unless you started from scratch and placed your own scenario into the room, the scene might be at a different eye level; therefore, hard to find and interact with. I experienced going to Peru and loved how the scene consisted of other people being in the environment. The narration and sounds were high quality and gave you the extra sensory that was needed to fully transport you into the scene, especially since you could still see your surroundings through the lens.

I did not try the Oculus, but I observed other classmates. Generally, this experience seemed to be interactive and be able to impact people’s emotions. Not only did many people say they began to feel nauseous, but they said the experience was eerie. The scene they experienced was walking around Lebanon after a bombing. Although the resolution may not have been lifelike, the scene was graphic and real enough to trigger strong emotions in the user. Being able to see on a computer screen what they were looking at was very different than being immersed in the scene itself. As a bystander looking on I didn’t feel the emotional pulls, but having headphones on and being blinded to the outside world allowed the user to become fully immersed and focus on only the scene unfolding around them. This lens I think is one of the better lens to be used for storytelling. By having the user become part of the scene they have the ability to follow a storyline as it develops. Reading a story is one thing, but watching a story in front of your eyes all around you allows the story to take center stage in our mind and focus all of your senses on it. However, I have some concerns with this form of story telling because everyone reacts differently to different experiences. I find it fascinating how someone is able to recreate an experience they went through and allow others to physically see the situation unfold through their own eyes; therefore, be able to literally walk in their shoes. I think this will lead to people having the ability to better understand each other across cultures, gender, classes etc.

My favorite lens was the Gear VR to experience Cirque du Soleil. I’ve seen Cirque du Soleil live before so I knew what to anticipate, however Gear VR had a higher quality of screen resolution and more fluid head tracking than I expected. While experiencing the scene, I felt completely immersed and part of the action because it appeared as though the characters were interacting with me. Whichever direction I turned a new character would motion towards me and acknowledge my presence; I thought this was the coolest part! This platform is good for storytelling because it puts the user in the center of the scene rather than feeling on the outskirts and stuck observing.

One of the devices I didn’t have time to try was the HTC Vive. Watching my peers be transported into a scene and be able to use all of their senses demonstrated the capabilities of VR and exemplified a glimpse into its potential. Many of my peers’ reactions were shock. What surprised me most was watching how some became fearful from how realistic it felt. I watched one person experience being in an Alcatraz cell and their initial reaction was shock and fear. The scene felt too real to them and their comfort. The experience was so real that they didn’t want to continue further. Seeing how realistic VR can be and the affects it has on some emotions, demonstrates the potential it holds for storytelling. When storytelling we want to bring the reader into the world and scenario being described, VR is becoming that outlet. It is fascinating to see the difference between those who are trying VR for the first time and those who are veterans of VR.

I would love to see a kind of VR that allows the participant to change and create their own story by making choices during the scenario. I am also curious to see the results from studies currently underway about how VR is affecting different peoples minds and emotions. This industry is constantly evolving and I’m glad I am now getting the opportunity to learn more about it and become a part of it.