SEGAbits Forums
Gaming => General Gaming Discussion => Topic started by: Pao on April 20, 2015, 06:44:01 am
-
Hey guys/gals, long time no see.
Just had a thought, I'm sure most of you are witnessing the growing popularity of VR, more and more companies are going into the VR market and it's starting to sound like VR will be a big part of gaming's future. Should SEGA capitalize on the VR success and incorporate it in Arcades? I think it would breath new life into the arcade market, here is why:
The VR experience would benefit greatly from certain types of Arcade games that are no longer popular (See: On-rail shooters), I was watching a video with someone riding a bike in GTA V using the Oculus Rift VR headset , and I thought to myself how cool would that be if there was a new Hang-On game in Arcades where on top of the motion controls of the cabinet you get a VR headset for maximum immersion. If something like that did exist, it would be a great reason to visit the arcades.
Also, VR right now is not exactly mainstream, you need a powerful PC in order to run graphically intensive games at 60+ FPS and high resolution, most of the VR games right now have low graphical fidelity. Even Playstation Morpheus requires you to buy a PS4+Camera+VR Headset, and maybe move controllers. That will deter a lot of potential customers away, having pick up 'n play VR at Arcades with good graphics and immersive control methods will be a fantastic alternative.
What do you think? Would VR in Arcades breath new life into the platform if SEGA utilize it in their IP's in a smart way? (Hang-On/Outrun/AfterBurner, etc...) Or do you think arcades are pretty much done for?
-
Here is the GTA video, I had it in the OP but it messed up the formatting for some reason: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJI53DbFQ1Q
-
The biggest issue I can see with it would be using a VR headset after 20 people have already used it that day wouldn't be very pleasant.
Also damage. Some people are just shits and would damage the controller, not to mention just genuine accidents or wear and tear. They seem like they would be a lot more fragile than traditional arcade sticks and buttons.
-
I think there might be a future for something sort of like arcades that features VR, but even if it can succeed, it really won't have the same feeling as a classic arcade. VR is such an individuated experience. Even if you're playing a multiplayer game, the player wants total immersion and that means that they don't want to hear sounds from other games or people milling about. It would be distracting and possibly confusing or even nauseating to have incongruous sound sources interfering with your immersion. So a VR arcade would actually be a very quiet place unless you're in a game. There will also have to be attendants and cleaning staff onsite constantly. There are currently a few gaming centers that are highly specialized for things like multiplayer mech simulators (not VR, but PC-based) but those are quite rare places.
I think AR, like Hololens, has a big future in evolving laser tag and paint ball-like games. A laser tag center could conceivably be built just as a large warehouse space with an array of very plain obstacles/cover objects, and then players wearing Hololens or some other AR glasses would see the place as a spaceship, wild west setting, or whatever. There will be AI enemies that can be human or alien, things can burst through walls, etc. Everybody can share much of the same surround sound system for accurate portrayal of explosions and AI gunfire, while your own weapon can have built-in speakers.
-
Well I think the west arcades are pretty much done, no matter what.
In Japan, Sega might try it in the future, tough I think they might not wanna do at arcade centers, but rather at the larger scale theme parks (Joypolis)
-
I think there might be a future for something sort of like arcades that features VR, but even if it can succeed, it really won't have the same feeling as a classic arcade. VR is such an individuated experience. Even if you're playing a multiplayer game, the player wants total immersion and that means that they don't want to hear sounds from other games or people milling about. It would be distracting and possibly confusing or even nauseating to have incongruous sound sources interfering with your immersion. So a VR arcade would actually be a very quiet place unless you're in a game. There will also have to be attendants and cleaning staff onsite constantly. There are currently a few gaming centers that are highly specialized for things like multiplayer mech simulators (not VR, but PC-based) but those are quite rare places.
Wouldn't headphones block all the outside noise? Perhaps a pair of headphones would be embedded within the VR headset.
And yes tech like Hololens should also be interesting when applied to Arcades, good point!
-
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sega_VR
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SP8wSw4bBuA
90s all over again
-
SEGA been there and done it . They spent some 10 million pounds in a deal with Virtuality Group in the early 90's .
-
But the tech now is much more elaborate and immersive than it was back then. Is it fair to compare them?
-
Your right, it is far more immersive now but its also going to be available at homes. Wonder how many would go for a experience in an arcade.
-
Cleanliness is an issue for me. I'm not sticking a game on my head that other people have worn.
-
Not sure why cleanliness is an issue, I mean the headset will be on your head/eyes/ears, fairly dry parts. It's not like it will be covered with saliva or sweat or something. Regular joysticks on cabinets would be far dirtier due to sweat and whatever the person touched before.
-
Well, I mean anything that has a helmet or goggles that surround the eyes or a forehead rest or things that cover your ears. The idea of putting on those sort of things that have been used hundreds of times is kind of gross to me. Oily faces, dandruff, lice. Hands are different, since most arcades have hand sanitizer dispensers.
-
But the tech now is much more elaborate and immersive than it was back then. Is it fair to compare them?
You still look like a total prat playing it - That's the barrier to most
-
Not sure why cleanliness is an issue, I mean the headset will be on your head/eyes/ears, fairly dry parts. It's not like it will be covered with saliva or sweat or something. Regular joysticks on cabinets would be far dirtier due to sweat and whatever the person touched before.
You underestimate the ability for people to have disgusting personal hygiene.
-
Most people seem to have no issues with putting on headphones at Internet Cafes, at least where I live. Though I understand not wanting someone's dandruff/lice on you.
-
Sorry, didn't mean to derail the topic with sanitary chat, I just think it all depends on how the devices are built and worn. I think places with proper handling and sterilization of equipment could work well. Though I feel that VR requires more attention and upkeep than standard arcade hardware would require.
I know it's not exactly VR, but I heard Star Wars Battle Pod is very engrossing. I played a similar game with full screen projection, it featured fighter jets, and it was awesome.
-
VR needs a chair made for it. Something that turns and moves with the movement of whatever controller you're using. It is still indeed a very isolated and rediculous looking(for bystanders) experience. Everytime i've seen someone use it for more than half an hour, they look really pale after putting it off. Doesnt seem healthy either.
I think its sorta like drinking. Its something you either do together in which everyone has such a device on their head, or its one having fun but looking rediculous to the other.
Ontopic: I can defenitly see it work in booths as "rides" in arcades. It could actually revitalize arcades when you think about it. Something you do for a couple of dollars/euros every now and then without the need to buy it. Hmm :) I kinda like the sound of that
-
Cleanliness is a big issue for me - before last year, the previous time I visited an arcade (2009? 2010?) I got the swine flu and ended up passing it on to a relative.
The hell with that noise. I take that stuff more seriously now - and just generally avoid other people's mystery grime. Oils can build up all over one's body - hair, face, eyelids.
Anyway VR is definitely the future but I don't think it'll facilitate the same experiences or type of games that are remembered in Arcades, like Centrale said.
-
Ironically, one of the uses for VR that I'm looking forward to trying is having an arcade environment to play emulators within. ;)
The thing about the arcades was the intensity of the atmosphere. You have 50 games all with their volume cranked up, plus a jukebox blasting some early 80s hard rock, the place was often almost completely unlit except for the light coming from the screens, the sound of the coin/token machines spitting out handfuls of coins. And of course psychologically, the experience of seeing the newest, most powerful computers - the games - that were much more capable than anything you could get your hands on at home.
That last aspect is probably the best thing VR has going for it as a public experience - the potential to have much more powerful systems than average people can afford. But as we saw with the original arcades, that advantage will only last for a while, and probably not nearly as long as it did back in the day.
-
Remember Xbox 360's Game Room? Imagine the ability to walk around your custom arcade with a VR headset.
-
Yep... these developers already have a demo of just that sort of thing (although the arcade games emulated are not the original versions, they're Gameboy Advance ports I think). http://digitalcybercherries.com/
-
VR + This:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XnYCgUj6jlU
-
This is more of a general thought about VR instead of specifically SEGA. Just some random thoughts. Couldnt find a better thread to share em
What I wonder is, how many people are willing to look awkaward with that thing on their head. I have a theory about one part to why mobile gaming is so huge, is becauze its the only public gaming that is socially accepted by everyone. Fot the kind of people that value and care about what other people think, 3DS or vita doesnt feel comfortable. I can vouch for that tbh. Having a gaming device on you in public doesnt seem like a cool thing here in the west. I wish I didnt care that much lol.
So lets put that thought into VR. I think a product doesnt only have to be good to succeed nowadays, it has to be socially accepted and considered cool within the era. Well thinking about it this has always been the case. But every era is different.
I think nowadays people care more about their social status/image than ever. I can see VR becoming a thing, but if it does, it wont be a longlasting one perhaps... Those who're offering a VR experience will probably experience a boom, but it'll dwell off more the more people notice how its cool for a one time thing like motion controls
-
Bear in mind VR is meant to be done at home, when it's in private I think people are more willing to look silly than on the go and in public.
-
Can't wait to play Chain Chronicles on the bus with VR. Gonna be impressive as fuck.
-
Can't wait to play Chain Chronicles on the bus with VR. Gonna be impressive as fuck.
But George, what if you miss your stop!?
-
What I wonder is, how many people are willing to look awkaward with that thing on their head. I have a theory about one part to why mobile gaming is so huge, is becauze its the only public gaming that is socially accepted by everyone. Fot the kind of people that value and care about what other people think, 3DS or vita doesnt feel comfortable. I can vouch for that tbh. Having a gaming device on you in public doesnt seem like a cool thing here in the west. I wish I didnt care that much lol.
While that's definitely a consideration, I think what's more important to me than looking cool is actually not being vulnerable to being mugged while I'm completely immersed in VR. Maybe it could be okay on a long plane flight where you can feel relatively confident that no one's going to snatch your gold chains.
-
Lol
I didnt mean mainly in public like outside or in the bus. I meant like in attractions or yes even at home. I mean at home you arent always alone either. But even then. To be fully immersed, audio is a requirement so the person wont hear anything to get the best out of it. Like I imagine me being in my room, deciding to give it a good couple of hours. So im moving and doing all kinds of crazy shit. All of a sudden someone comes into my room and sees me acting weird and shit. I mean some wont care but personally I feel a bit uncomfortable looking stupid everytime someone sees me using it... Could be roommates, siblings, parents or the wife. Just seems like a weird thought. But maybe in practice itll be different*shrugs*..