VR Supporters Struggle to Answer "Everyone Looks Stupid While Using VR" Challenge

Here's a revealing exchange between revered game designer Warren Spector (pictured) and Unity CEO John Riccitiello, on the mass market appeal of VR:

Spector recently told Gamesindustry: "I don't think most humans want to look stupid (everyone looks stupid in a VR headset) and they don't want to isolate themselves from the world.

...  However, former EA CEO Riccitiello, who took up the reins of the game engine company in 2014, told TechRadar that looking silly in a headset won't be the defining criteria for VR in the near future.

"He's right for the moment, but it's not because people don't want to look silly," he said. "You look silly having sex for God's sake, but they still do it - and who doesn't look an idiot dancing in the disco with the sound off?"

I'm not sure how to process either statement, because I don't even agree with their underlying premises. (Everyone looks silly during sex or silently dancing, seriously?) What's clear, however, is that VR supporters are having trouble addressing the "stupid VR face" challenge. 

Spector, by the way, also gave a definite "Meh" to Google Glass back in early 2014, and you know what happened to that system since then.

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Comments

[Ezra]

Is everyone aware that there exists no mobile VR headset other than the GearVR? Which is pretty much just a 200 dollar gimmick for your 700 dollar phone.

The Oculus Rift will require a PC and be wired.

The HTC Vive and other future SteamVR headsets will require a PC and be wired.

Sony's Morpheus will require a Playstation 4.

The "stupid VR face" challenge is solved the same way the "stupid pajamas" or "stupid work clothes" challenge is solved; you won't be wearing one outside of your living room or work space.

[Wagner James Au]

"Is everyone aware that there exists no mobile VR headset other than the GearVR? Which is pretty much just a 200 dollar gimmick for your 700 dollar phone."

Whoa, dude -- have you tried it? It's actually impressive. Don't believe me, ask my friend Blair or for that matter VR Boy in the subway.

[irihapeti]

EA CEO Riccitiello said: "who doesn't look an idiot dancing in the disco with the sound off?"

ok his cred as a virtual anything thought leader just got buried

e.v.e.r.y.b.o.d.y knows that in a virtual world that when the stream gets dropped then you just keep on dancing

(:

[Adeon Writer]

I have a pre-scripted rebuttal for this, I always say "That's becuase you're looking at it from the wrong side."

No one has ever managed to quip me back.