With the intention to learn more about the metaverse and all it has to offer; I ordered an Oculus 2. For four months, I downloaded an array of applications to test the different gaming and productivity features.
Fit and Motion
I purchased the basic model without any upgrades. The fit is comfortable. However, I believe they can do better. It reminded me of an item sold by the sharper image at the turn of the century. They were goggles or glasses to watch DVDs on 60 inches projection.
It does take time to get used to the set. I suffered motion sickness the first few tries playing games or doing activities, which required a lot of movement.
I recommend playing with the settings and speed to find the right one for you.
Games and Fitness
For gaming purposes, I played ping pong, poker, medal of honor, beat saber, boxing, cross fitness and others. As someone who has loved gaming and games for ages, I can see the full potential of fun games and competitions as we become part of the game.
I enjoyed playing ping pong and beat saber; they became part of my daily routine and my favorite activities in the metaverse. And, I didn’t have to leave my living room.
As for boxing and cross fit, I burned some serious calories following the coaches’ instructions and beating a few boxing opponents.
I look forward to playing a soccer game in the virtual world.
Productivity and Work
Given our current COVID-19 circumstances and the fact that most of our meetings are virtual, I was so excited to try something other than Zoom and staring at my computer screen. I held a couple of work meetings and workshops in the metaverse, and I fell in love even more.
There was something exciting about meeting with coworkers, friends, and acquaintances in the metaverse. I felt like a kid and human all over again. As we explored the features and options, there was nonstop laughter, the kind you hear passing by a group of kids having fun. It made work fun.
It was the first virtual meeting that didn’t feel so virtual. It felt like others were with me in the same space; it felt interactive; it felt productive; and most importantly, it felt creative. It was fun interacting with others as an avatar; it was most definitely part of the fun.
The Future of Oculus
I attended a few events and roamed around different virtual worlds, mainly Horizon. Again, I can see some exciting potential; this is a technology that will give millions access to new experiences from the comfort of their living room. And to make it even easier, there are community guides to answer your questions and concerns.
However, I find myself concerned about the safety and security of the users, mainly children.
Children are the most active users in the virtual world. I found myself playing poker with early teens using their parents accounts. Although there are safety features and the equivalent of safe spaces to block unwanted attention, there is no way to censor others. I heard conversations and profanity that I could’ve done without.
If the current work arrangements continue, I can see a few corporations utilizing the oculus and other similar tools to conduct online meetings. I would definitely recommend it.
