[DrunkenBoxer]

Any and all thoughts about Ready Player One and The Oasis.

WARNING: THERE BE SPOILERS AHEAD!

[DrunkenBoxer]

Really? We're in a VR forum and no one else has seen a movie about a virtual reality world?

[ven07]

Maybe people haven't had the time to watch it?

[DrunkenBoxer]

Maybe people haven't had the time to watch it?

I would think at least a few of the people here would have seen it on opening weekend...

I'll kick things off: We can only hope that virtual reality looks as amazing by 2045(the year the movie is set in) as Spielberg puts up onto the screen. If you can see it in IMAX 3D, I highly recommend watching it in that format.

[Kram Devil]

I just watched it a couple of hours ago in imax. I almost didn't because I heard from reviews that it wasn't faithful to the original book, that there were missed opportunities for pushing this or that agenda, that it offended this or that sensibility. Well to hell with all that I thought, I just received my MR headset, I'm all hyped up for it and I'm going to drag my friends over to the mall to watch it. I'm going to watch it and nothing will stop me.

Is there a 3d version? Because the cinema at my place was only in 2d and I went there expecting a 3d movie, but still, the movie was worth getting up my couch for. I just think it would have been better in 3d. Taking note of spielberg's statement that this is a movie not a film, I just went there to have a good time and not overly analyze all the pop-culture elements in display. I did. It's not going to change my life or send me to an existential crisis of some sort but I just really had a good time. It was worth it. Unfortunately there were only 10 of us in that cinema on a saturday. Sad.

[Baz S]

Just saw it and it was freaking awesome. I'm a gamer and movie geek, anime Italy, and tech head. It fulfilled so many things for me in one movie.
I almost exploded when I saw fundamental on the serenity fighting mecha gogira. Then Halo Spartans battling alongside Tracer.

I can't wait to rewatch the movie.

VRCHAT is the closest to Oasis we have today. I've see fantastic world's creative players have done. There is so much potential.

[onemoredave]

One thing I struggled with was why/how the people could be running around in crowded streets wearing headsets but be participating in the battle on an open field. I could understand if it was a MR type of thing, where the world around you was skinned to look like something else, but that wasn't the case. How do rationalise away the fact that people would be running into buildings?

It was an entertaining watch. I'll likely watch it again to get a few more of the references

Also I want a 360 degree treadmill.

[drjekel_mrhyde]

Were are the spoilers?

[LtDarthWookie]

One thing I struggled with was why/how the people could be running around in crowded streets wearing headsets but be participating in the battle on an open field. I could understand if it was a MR type of thing, where the world around you was skinned to look like something else, but that wasn't the case. How do rationalise away the fact that people would be running into buildings?

It was an entertaining watch. I'll likely watch it again to get a few more of the references

Also I want a 360 degree treadmill.

I'd really have to agree with you on that one. That part bothered me.
But yes I think the feedback suits and omnidirectional treadmills are really the next big steps for VR and it will be awesome.

[onemoredave]

I think the feedback suits and omnidirectional treadmills are really the next big steps for V

Interesting take, but I kinda disagree. I'll explain why and bring it all back to Ready Player One (hopefully).

I think the next big steps in VR/MR is going to be an untethered, backendless simple to use setup that everyone can afford and anyone can use. As long as it remains hard and expensive it will be less likely to go mainstream. The idea of having to put on additional suits and gloves etc is akin to the rumble chairs, haptic vests and 3D glasses...normal people won't do it until it's simple and easy. There are already "iron maiden'esque" devices that you can strap yourself into, pop on some slippery shoes and go for a run in VR...but that hasn't (and likely won't) take off for mainstream users.

So back to RPO. There were (at least) two kinds of "players" in the movie. Those that were fully kitted out and strapped into chairs or other physical contraptions, wearing haptic suits and gloves in addition to their visor. Then there were the normal people, wandering around untethered on the street, on the couch etc. with seemingly very little hardware, or setup required.

I think the latter has to be the next big target for VR - except for the wandering around the street bit but I've already expressed my views on that aspect :-)

[LtDarthWookie]

Interesting take, but I kinda disagree. I'll explain why and bring it all back to Ready Player One (hopefully).

I think the next big steps in VR/MR is going to be an untethered, backendless simple to use setup that everyone can afford and anyone can use. As long as it remains hard and expensive it will be less likely to go mainstream. The idea of having to put on additional suits and gloves etc is akin to the rumble chairs, haptic vests and 3D glasses...normal people won't do it until it's simple and easy. There are already "iron maiden'esque" devices that you can strap yourself into, pop on some slippery shoes and go for a run in VR...but that hasn't (and likely won't) take off for mainstream users.

So back to RPO. There were (at least) two kinds of "players" in the movie. Those that were fully kitted out and strapped into chairs or other physical contraptions, wearing haptic suits and gloves in addition to their visor. Then there were the normal people, wandering around untethered on the street, on the couch etc. with seemingly very little hardware, or setup required.

I think the latter has to be the next big target for VR - except for the wandering around the street bit but I've already expressed my views on that aspect :-)

Also valid. I'd almost wager then you'd see kind of a fork in VR technology that would mimic that. You'll get the crazy cool stuff pushed towards the enthusiasts and the cheaper, easier towards the "casual" market.