What is Virtual Reality?

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Main types of VR

(Classified by display technology)

Adventure games, MUD/MOO
Textually described virtual worlds where the user perceives of the virtual environment through mental images based on the words read (like reading a novel).

Desktop
3D virtual environment graphically displayed on a desktop computer monitor.

Semi-immersive
3D environment projected onto a large screen (e.g. in a 'CAVE'). Enables a single user to demonstrate concepts to a large group of people without them having to don special equipment.

Immersive
3D environment seen through a head-mounted display (HMD). In a completely immersive system the user feels part of the environment (experiences a feeling of 'presence').

Author: Michael Louka (mlouka@sn.no)
Last Updated: 18 November 1996