4
SPRING 2018
This revolutionary technology goes way beyond games
INSIDE THE
AMAZING WORLD OF
VIRTUAL REALITY
Virtual reality headsets are now readily
available on the market from brands
including HTC, Oculus, PlayStation,
and Samsung. While games make up the
majority of programs at this point, new
applications are being developed all the
time. As with other major technological
platforms—such as smartphones—the
direction of the industry will depend on
developers’ capabilities and consumers’
preferences.
In the next couple of pages, you’ll learn
how virtual reality got its start and find
out cool examples of what this technology
may be able to do in the future. You’ll also
discover practical uses for virtual reality
technology such as making worksites safer,
improving education, and helping people
develop empathy for others.
No matter what your interests, if they’re
not represented in a virtual reality program
yet, chances are good they will be soon.
The concept of virtual reality has been stoking the creativity of filmmakers, playwrights, authors,
and other artists for decades.
Tron, The Truman Show, The Matrix, The Lawnmower Man, Jacob’s Ladder,
Inception,
and
Brazil
are just a few examples of popular movies that have explored this theme. The
idea of being able to enter a different world is intriguing because it implies we can do anything our
imaginations can invent.