From: gristle@ucscb.ucsc.edu (66016000)
Subject: Yes, there are VR video games
Date: 29 Jun 91 03:07:17 GMT
Organization: University of California, Santa Cruz; Open Access Computing



I have seen two VR video games. By VR, I mean that the game is rendered
using polygons and the objects in the game are "real", meaning that they
take up mathematical space in the VR world of the game. One can theoretically
move around the object in all directions, but due to game playing this
may not be possible. The games "guide" you toward the proper places etc...

One game is an Atari driving game. It has an automatic transmission and
the steering wheel provides resistance when you turn.

The other is a combat flight simulator by Microprose. (yes, Microprose
makes upright video games)

Both games have a very similar appearing graphic quality: all objects
are created out of rendered polygons.

Neither of them use goggles, but its clear that goggles are the next step.

Of course, I could be wrong, and the graphics could be plain raster pictures,
but I have used VR stuff before, and these games have a very similar
(if not exact) VR quality to them: the objects in the game are "real" 3-d
meaning that you can move around them... and that they are very "real"
in their motion and control.

Both cost $.50 to play. They are at Smuggler's Arcade at the Santa Cruz
Beach Boardwalk.