A question for VR/TrackIR/etc users

[Shyeer Alvarin]

Alright, so this is going to be a bit of a strange question.

Prior to expanding your computer hardware to include immersion increasing peripherals such as the Oculus, TrackIR, EDTracker, and/or other head/motion tracking components, did any of you have experiences of self-simulated immersion (literally translated as being so zoned out of everything that it seemed you weren't even playing on a monitor but rather in the game itself sans hardware) and If so, was/is it disorienting maintaining that sense of presence artificially generated by your hardware? Eg- feeling as though you're trapped in the game/panic/etc

For those that do not have such hardware, what are your experiences with self-simulated immersion?

This isn't a hardware thread. Describe the Elite Experience.

 

[icehoodedfox]

I've never felt so immersed in a game that I lost track of where I was. . . I'm always quite conscious of the fact that I'm playing on a computer

I use TrackIR, and while it doesincrease the immersion, it doesn't go so far as to pull me into the game entirely.

Of course, it might be different with a Rift.

 

[BadSector]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i0GW0Vnr9Yc
Reminded me of this
When i got trackir i have it's has only enchanced the overall experience/immersion factor, but nothing what you describe. If i had a Rift and letsay i have a canopy breach , do i start to gasp air when i look the timer going towards zero? Hard to say, then again i could (probably would) scream like a girl when playing Outlast with rift. Witch one you have? rift or trackir?

 

[Shyeer Alvarin]

I'm getting the Rift later this week. I don't have panic attacks at all. I do get the self-simulated Immersion effect fairly regularly though when I play with music on my headset. I'm still aware that I'm playing a game, but it's a lot more like I'm in the cockpit while the experience lasts and it usually lasts a solid hour or two.

I don't take advantage of the headlock or anything like that simply because the button is fairly out of the way on my X55

 

[BadSector]

I get that a lot while listening a music, IHMO best mind altering drug without side effects. Have fun with the rift, i personally wait for the consumer version with higher resolution, many say the text is hard to read with DK2.

 

[HappySlayerUK]

I don't get totally immersed as it is still just a game.
I do get very used to it, though. I remember months ago before ED when I was playing DCS A-10C that my TrackIR TrackClip broke and I had to get a new one. While I waited I would play A10 and keep moving my head and for a second not understanding why the view didn't change.

 

[Shyeer Alvarin]

I get that a lot while listening a music, IHMO best mind altering drug without side effects. Have fun with the rift, i personally wait for the consumer version with higher resolution, many say the text is hard to read with DK2.

1080p on a 36" TV. I'm used to reading pixels.

 

[Slopey]

literally translated as being so zoned out of everything that it seemed you weren't even playing on a monitor but rather in the game itself sans hardware

It doesn't work like that because the "uncanny alley" effect is too strong.

Certainly when you're using a TrackIR/EDTracker - you're just looking at a monitor - it's blatantly obvious you're not "trapped in the game". It's just a very intuitive hat-look control. (although once you've used one you can't to back to being without it).

The same with the DK2 - by the sounds of your post, you've not used one, but it's obvious that you are when you're wearing it. You get a strong sense of it not being real even though it appears that you might be "in the game".

I think you have unrealistic expectations of how mesmerising it can be. It's a powerful experience, granted, but not one where you loose your grip on your reality.

 

[Zephyriel]

I have to say even with a Rift and an audio headset, never have I become so immersed in Elite (or any other game) to forget that I was sitting in my chair with a screen before my eyes. To be honest before trying the rift I thought I would be more immersed than that, so far it's only been a nice visual experience, I'm hoping a better resolution on retail version and the purchase of a Buttkicker will solve that.

Back to your question, the most immersive feeling I've had with TrackIR is that after a while when playing in the dark, it felt like I was actually looking around, my brain kinda shut out the fact that I'm staring at a fixed monitor. Nothing "scary" like you describe.

 

[Shyeer Alvarin]

It doesn't work like that because the "uncanny alley" effect is too strong.

Certainly when you're using a TrackIR/EDTracker - you're just looking at a monitor - it's blatantly obvious you're not "trapped in the game". It's just a very intuitive hat-look control. (although once you've used one you can't to back to being without it).

The same with the DK2 - by the sounds of your post, you've not used one, but it's obvious that you are when you're wearing it. You get a strong sense of it not being real even though it appears that you might be "in the game".

I think you have unrealistic expectations of how mesmerising it can be. It's a powerful experience, granted, but not one where you loose your grip on your reality.

I'm naturally inclined to losing my grip on reality. I can force myself to block out everything but what's going through my head Unless I'm gaming. I don't have expectations for the Rift as yet because I haven't used one yet.

 

[Slopey]

It's down to your personal proclivities then. Certainly for me I'm never that immersed that I don't know where I am.

But if that's the case, why post a rhetorical question?

 

[777Driver]

I have to say even with a Rift and an audio headset, never have I become so immersed in Elite (or any other game) to forget that I was sitting in my chair with a screen before my eyes. To be honest before trying the rift I thought I would be more immersed than that, so far it's only been a nice visual experience, I'm hoping a better resolution on retail version and the purchase of a Buttkicker will solve that.

Back to your question, the most immersive feeling I've had with TrackIR is that after a while when playing in the dark, it felt like I was actually looking around, my brain kinda shut out the fact that I'm staring at a fixed monitor. Nothing "scary" like you describe.

I would say the bkgamer is must for anyone using the rift. it completes the immersion, once you use a BK, ED feels very dead without one, hence why the sound changes have been a major deal to bk users.

Probably the most consistent intense experience I have in ED is with the DK2 while silent running into a station (life support off) BK gamer and headphones + external surround sound. Flying with a HOTAS & FA OFF, it just becomes complete immersion

 

[Spiridon]

OP, Never had those moments you describe in the game. But I had them afterwards. When I played the first, '84 Elite, after an entire day of playing it was hard to go out of the room to a real life. I liked more the one in the game.

Funny thing: I also had it after Hidden & Dangerous, my first FPS with hiding tactics and stuff. After finishing a mission went out to buy me cigs or to my car - and subconsciously trying to find a safe path: "go diagonal to that truck, move along close to it's semi-trailer, and from there make it quick to the bushes near the parking..."

 

[Parmo]

Let's hope we don't get as immersed as Kevin Flynn.

 

[Shyeer Alvarin]

It's down to your personal proclivities then. Certainly for me I'm never that immersed that I don't know where I am.

But if that's the case, why post a rhetorical question?

As mentioned later in my post that I was interested in other people's "Elite Experiences". Thought the thread would be interesting to look back on and compare experiences both good and bad with hardware generated immersion and self-simulated experiences.

 

[Salkinius]

I don't get totally immersed as it is still just a game.
I do get very used to it, though. I remember months ago before ED when I was playing DCS A-10C that my TrackIR TrackClip broke and I had to get a new one. While I waited I would play A10 and keep moving my head and for a second not understanding why the view didn't change.

Lol I do that alot when I'm watching Elite Youtube clips. It's actually kind of funny when you realise it.

 

[Heracles]

Alright, so this is going to be a bit of a strange question.

Prior to expanding your computer hardware to include immersion increasing peripherals such as the Oculus, TrackIR, EDTracker, and/or other head/motion tracking components, did any of you have experiences of self-simulated immersion (literally translated as being so zoned out of everything that it seemed you weren't even playing on a monitor but rather in the game itself sans hardware) and If so, was/is it disorienting maintaining that sense of presence artificially generated by your hardware? Eg- feeling as though you're trapped in the game/panic/etc

For those that do not have such hardware, what are your experiences with self-simulated immersion?

This isn't a hardware thread. Describe the Elite Experience.

I have used TIR for Flight Sims and now ED. My monitor quality and resolution has increased over the years to my current Ultrasharp 32". Given my visual component of ED is as good as it can be ( until a HD Occulus is retailed) the answer, from a visual perspective, is no. I do not have immersion in the game so as to loose my conscious awareness of where I am.

In order to become immersed to the point where my orientation to the real world is altered, all 5 senses would require "fooling"! Then the sixth sense, the mind, may become more fully engaged.

So sight, sound, touch, taste (smell) and feel would require "fooling" that my body is sat in my ship.

It may be possible, with certain individuals, to achieve a high state of immersion, however, the mind has to be the willing participant. Somewhat like hypnosis, or meditation.

There is a level of concentration however that can be reached in some people, where they become oblivious of their immediate surroundings. Rather like a meditative state. Also, perhaps analogous to, if you have ever read a book, in which, you have become totally immersed. Here the mind takes over from the senses. The mind will "fill in" the missing pieces, in this case the five senses. The book is in your mind. Or rather, you are "in" the book.

So perhaps the key word is immersion.

Interesting subject! Thanks for raising it.

My wife would tell you I have "gone" into my little space ship again, when she sees me staring at the monitor with TIR clipped on my headset and I am talking to the female computer voice onboard ship From her perspective I am "somewhere else", in that, to her annoyance, I no longer answer the phone/door or the call to the mess hall! Well one can not just stop in the middle of an interdiction....especially if you are winning