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Astrodust on 27 November 2007
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SlorgNet said:
Astrodust said:

In about 10 years, I expect quality HMD's to revitalize PC gaming.

The body will be the controller. Through sensors on the body and gloves on your hands, your actions will mimic the character on the screen.

Sex will play a larger role in gaming.

Gaming will enter 3D.


My own thoughts:

1. It's not likely HMDs will ever be more than niche products for portable devices. Displays and gaming are collective activities, so there will always be a market for large screens, where everyone can see the action. Headsets require putting something on and off your body, it's much easier to kick back and stare at a screen.

2. Gloves have never worked out. Too hard to pull on and off. You need to be able to pick things up, and put them down again. Motion control will continue to evolve, but the notion we'll dance our way through games works only for dance games. Control systems need to be simple and flexible: like the DS stylus.

3. Sex in games can never match sex with one's sweetie. No matter how good the controls, they're just not as interesting as another human body.


One of the biggest changes in gaming over the next ten years is that game production and consumption are going global. China, India, Brazil, Russia - they're all going to be making and buying games. So in a lot of ways, the Golden Age of Gaming is ahead of us, not behind us. 


Actually what has been holding back HMDs from going mainstream has been its price and that it was large and bulky. Also quality is a factor as well. HMDs also block out a lot of outside visual stimulus so you can focus on the experience. Imagine running through a forest and being faced with a giant ogre so large that you actually have to look up to see. There are HMDs out there now that work with Flight Simulators where you can look around at your 3D cockpit. If you do some research you will see that the technology has improved over the years. Give it another 10-12 years.

I guarantee you gloves will play a large role in gaming very soon. They also won't look like the Power Glove of old. I imagine they will be quite thin and lightweight and have wires running throughout your fingers. I can't imagine the technology is that far away. Imagine casting spells by waving your hand. Or throwing ninja stars by actually doing a throwing motion. This will be an important step in the immersion experience.

Why do I mention Sex to be important. Aside from people already spending billions of dollars every year, this is one area that is virtually untapped in the game market. Of course you can't beat the real experience but not everyone is married or dating/sleeping with supermodels. Games are more mature then they were 20 years ago. I don't feel that this direction is right or wrong, it's just the way it will go. AI will improve this experience as well. Couples may turn to this to spice up their sex life. They could be making out with each other while seeing a famous actor or model through a HMD. Just a thought. I also feel Nintendo will be the last to accept this if at all. At this point I think they will lose the mature audience for good. Sony will definately be the first to try this.

As for you last point I agree.