Does it feel strange to interact with the VR "reality" trough a gamepad? I would imagine it breaks the immersion but maybe it is easy to get used to.

...and moving around, with a gamepad, I imagine also could feel a little strange.

Tell us the good, the bad, the surprising.

TPS, adventure games and RPG you are behind the "hero". This is often because you have to see what he does (often movements that a regular person can not do). How is VR to be used?

Golf - because you stand still, but football, basket and other teamsports?

Portal is a puzle games, but I have a hard time seeing more traditional puzzle games in VR.

You have a link to the RTS?

Virtual Reality is going to be awesome for sex games and maybe horror games!

When driving or flying you have to be concentrated on what happens in front of you. Almost all instruments that you need should be located so that you do not have to move your head (speedometer etc). I can understand that it will make the immersion stronger but will it be enough for people to buy anoter expensive gadget?

Who knows I won't botch it till I Try it, but anyone expecting it to be more then a fad is out of their mind.

It's likely. There is going to be a niche though.

Well, I played with mouse and keyboard, but I suppose the same applied:

The good:

- Having your entire peripheral vision covered by the game visuals. This is new to gaming. A new experience. Immersive and pretty.

- There is nothing odd about playing like this. You play as you usually would and it works as you'd expect. Nothing is lost.

- The head tracking! Oh my. You control the game as usual - moving your visual reticule with the mouse. But in addition to this the whole world moves around you (realistically) when you turn your head. This is also an entirely new dynamic at play. Immersive.

- (potentially) It frees up the TV/monitor.

- Everyone wants to play. It's a showcase. It's exciting and entertaining.

The bad:

- Ummm...

- I guess if you don't know the controller layout then you're in trouble.

- It looks very funny when someone is playing. They move there head around like aliens in a UFO. You look a little bit like a scuba diver on dry land.

- You can get the bejesus scared out of you if someone sneaks up on you.

- On that point - Survival Horror games might just end up being too scary.

- The resolution on the OR wasn't so great. I could see pixels. But that's been improved with the 2nd version, so I presume the point is moot.

- One person only.

Surprising:

- The (OR) headset doesn't way down on your head. You don't feel like you have this awkward thing on your face.

- The head tracking aids the gameplay.

- How much of a "new thing" it is. I can only compare it to playing 3D games on PSOne for the 1st time i.t.o the personal impact it made on me. I was not alone.

Addendum:

VR shouldn't be considered a replacement of the TV/monitor. It should be seen for what it is: Something very, very cool that can be used semi-frequently. If it isn't priced too high and there is good software support then I'd advise anyone to purchase it - after trying it of course.

Errrr..... I don't think you realize we are on the same page. However, I still stand by what i said about 3D. I don't hate it, but i stand by it not adding any "functional value". It has even less functional value than a vibrating controller. Cause at least the vibrations in a controller can be used to convey certain messages in a game. But at the end of the day, you can play every game without a vibrating controller just fine and with no change in the core experience but only a change in the level of immersion.

This is why I believe VR will work wonders for certain genres. Cause it actually will add functional value to the genres it supports. With regard to VR I like to think there are two types of games. Out of body games (TPS, platformers, abstract puzzlers..etc) and in body games (FPS, Racers, RTS..etc). VR will be a God sent for in body games as they will add a layers of interactivity that no other control interface can provide and these layers aren't just novelties, they are things that will actually increase the enjoyment, immersion and performace in thos games.

Personally, I think anyone that hasn't played with VR (which most of us) but yet are knocking the tech down, are just being unimaginative and stoic. Because if they alowed themselves to just imagine ways that it could be used, the benefits are glaringly obvious. Then again, thats just how some people are, some people just get it others will need you to hold their hands or hear others talk about how awesome something is before they give it a shot.

Thank you. Everything you are saying is what I have been trying to explain. Hell, someone even went as far as accuse me for maybe having not experienced 3D when i said its not comparable to VR as it adds no "functional" value to a game (I game/watch movies via a 3D projector with a 120" screen by the way). 

I have not used VR yet, I have seen tech demos and read about the tech and its implementation. And I don't need anyone to tell me how much of a big deal it is. Its a complete game changer....literaly. Its not going to replace every genre, but it doesnt need to either. The only problem I see with it is its price. If it can retail for $199 then it would be perfect. Headset and camera.

I belive it is very cool, I was around the last time VR was supposed to revolutionize gaming and I think that it technically is fit to really do it this time. As you say: something cool to use semi-frequently.

Now the question at hand is if this is enough to sell to the masses or will it be a geek thing. Will it be to expensive to be a big seller or to "strange" to appeal to casuals?