Ethical Concerns
Medical issues
Motion Sickness
The Oculus Rift has seen its fair share of negative medical reviews during its development. Due to low resolution and lag, many people have experienced motion sickness while operating the Rift. Newer models have enhanced features that reduce the effect of this but there will always be those that experience this side effect.
The Oculus Rift has seen its fair share of negative medical reviews during its development. Due to low resolution and lag, many people have experienced motion sickness while operating the Rift. Newer models have enhanced features that reduce the effect of this but there will always be those that experience this side effect.
Property Damage
Due to the design of the Oculus Rift, the wearer is visually impaired to their surroundings. The goggles cover the eyes completely and have no way to see the outside world. There are plenty of videos demonstrating the destruction caused by the Wii's motion controllers and this will be exasperated for the Oculus due to these dangerous limitations. During development, there was already a report that said the CEO's wife knocked over a vase in the living room while she was trying out the device.
Due to the design of the Oculus Rift, the wearer is visually impaired to their surroundings. The goggles cover the eyes completely and have no way to see the outside world. There are plenty of videos demonstrating the destruction caused by the Wii's motion controllers and this will be exasperated for the Oculus due to these dangerous limitations. During development, there was already a report that said the CEO's wife knocked over a vase in the living room while she was trying out the device.
Personal Injury
Because of the same issues stated in the property damage section, personal injury will occur during usage. In multiplayer environments, or simply other watching along side the player, there is a good chance that people will get struck by others while playing. There is also the possibility of running into objects because of the deep immersion. In the demo "Hydra Cover Shooter" players are required to stack up objects to jump on and reach certain objectives. The game includes a big warning to players that leaning on these boxes or pillars in the virtual game will result in falling over, as these object do not exist in the real world.
Because of the same issues stated in the property damage section, personal injury will occur during usage. In multiplayer environments, or simply other watching along side the player, there is a good chance that people will get struck by others while playing. There is also the possibility of running into objects because of the deep immersion. In the demo "Hydra Cover Shooter" players are required to stack up objects to jump on and reach certain objectives. The game includes a big warning to players that leaning on these boxes or pillars in the virtual game will result in falling over, as these object do not exist in the real world.
Heart Attacks
Players with heart conditions should take caution when playing horror titles with the Oculus Rift. Many games already cause players to feel tense and jump but these effects are intensified during game play on the Oculus Rift. Many experienced horror movie and videogame veterans has ripped the device off their heads during intense moments.
Players with heart conditions should take caution when playing horror titles with the Oculus Rift. Many games already cause players to feel tense and jump but these effects are intensified during game play on the Oculus Rift. Many experienced horror movie and videogame veterans has ripped the device off their heads during intense moments.
Social Issues
Perversity
Many are worried about anti-social behaviors developing because of the Oculus Rift. A game has been release called "Virtual Girlfriend" that includes a leg shaped pillow that can be caressed. In the game, you play as a male character that simply sits on a park bench with a female. Such games also bring up the idea of creating sex based games.
Many are worried about anti-social behaviors developing because of the Oculus Rift. A game has been release called "Virtual Girlfriend" that includes a leg shaped pillow that can be caressed. In the game, you play as a male character that simply sits on a park bench with a female. Such games also bring up the idea of creating sex based games.
Violence
There are already people that believe video games cause violence in people and feel that this effect will be intensified by the hyper-realism of the Oculus Rift. Certain titles being developed, such as "Disunion - The Guillotine Simulator" are not helping the cause.
There are already people that believe video games cause violence in people and feel that this effect will be intensified by the hyper-realism of the Oculus Rift. Certain titles being developed, such as "Disunion - The Guillotine Simulator" are not helping the cause.
Privacy
Because of the acquisition by Facebook, supporters of the Oculus Rift are concerned about their private information because of the companies disregard for user privacy. Oculus Rift has already stated that it will store personal information such as email, date of birth, and zip codes. There is also the possibility of the device logging video game interests, body movements, and reactions to events in game that can be combined to create an extensive profile of the user.
Because of the acquisition by Facebook, supporters of the Oculus Rift are concerned about their private information because of the companies disregard for user privacy. Oculus Rift has already stated that it will store personal information such as email, date of birth, and zip codes. There is also the possibility of the device logging video game interests, body movements, and reactions to events in game that can be combined to create an extensive profile of the user.