$500 for something that is not a game console is ridiculous, especially one that cuts out your userbase. It's way more than 1% who experience this. A lot of people have astigmatisms and most aren't even aware of it. It's worse too if it's only in one eye.

99% of people don't? Not a real statistic. I'm willing to bet a lot more than 1% would / do experience adverse symptoms playing VR. I'd say the number is far from negligible.

I have been playing around with Gear VR (couldn't wait till October) I get terrible motion sickness, but have had no problems with gear VR (aside from a space one) for that reason I doubt you have played it several times.

Every major Tech company is now heavily invested in VR with billions being poured into it's development and I will be buying the PSVR, Anyone who thinks VR is a gimmick has no idea of it's quality and potential, VR will impact everyone eventually.

You went from saying "games are antisocial enough as it is...."

To

"I like the idea of using the headset as a 2d screen thats something id probably use it for alot"

Which one is it?!

Some people spend a considerable amount of money on a decent monitor or even a TV so that information can be displayed on them. A VR headset can be likened to a personal display device that can replace or augment an existing display device. Somehow I cannot envisage a display device as a non-essential peripheral.

Even if you just use say the PSVR in cinema mode only like you have suggested it would still make a decent display device with a virtual screen up to five meters in the diagonal. Tell me off any TV or monitor that even approaches the virtual screen size of a VR headset.

As for games being anti-social well that really depends on what type of games you or friends like. Sure you have single player games but you also have multiplayer family oriented games as well. Actually, games are what is called active entertainment which can be social or private, however watching a show be it a TV program or movie is what is called passive entertainment and in many respects, this is much more anti-social than playing a game. Sure people can get together socially to discuss a show or movie but then again so can a group of gamers.

I would always recommend trying out a VR device in both VR and cinema modes (the greater the time the better) before making a decision since it may be possible that VR headsets can cause problems for some such as nausea and as you have stated burning eyes.

It's all well and good doing independent studies on the effects of a particular item or thing on the human body or psyche but we all know or should know that people abuse the recommended usage be it drugs or even gaming.

MY first thought is if you are not bothered now you will be, VR is inevitable as is it's continued development, VR isnt perfect but this is very much first gen stuff and it will grow into so much more.

I'm sure all sorts of studies have and will be made into it's physical and psychological impacts, the same happens for any device (TV, phones etc have all come under the same scrutiny)

PSVR funnily enough can be sociable, Sony taking the time to put the display on TV, whether thats the same as the player or something different to interact with the player)

Watching 2D screen is another obvious attraction, especially when it to all intents and purposes it becomes your own personal cinema.

Basically VR is here to stay, bothered or not, it will become part of everyones lives

"Demand was and is high"

No, it's not. Majority of people who actually game do so in a casual setting. On a couch, on a comfortable chair in front of their TVs/monitors playing yearly releases of third party games like Call of Duty, Fifa, Destiny, etc. You think the demand is there for these people to suddenly strap on cumbersome headsets on their faces and jump around their rooms while playing mini games? Not a fat chance in hell. You've deluded yourself if you truly believe any of what you posted.

@garrett

"You think the demand is there for these people to suddenly strap on cumbersome headsets on their faces and jump around their rooms while playing mini games? "

Another completely uninformed statment from a person who has never tried VR.

Who says you are jumping around your room while using vr??

I've been using my DK2 for nearly two years now, games like Project CARS, Elite Dangerous, EVE, Euro/American Trucker, Alien Isolation, Mirrors Edge, GTA 5 etc do not require you to "jump" around, neither are any of these games "mini" or need you to wave your arms around.

All three major VR solutions are currently sold out with waiting lists on all, all three sold out with-in minutes of going on sale, you have to be totally blind(or deluded) not to see that "demand" is there for VR.

Garrett has VR confused with motion controls. I'm not interested in jumping or even slowly moving around my living room while playing a game but I'm very likely to get a PSVR, provided I like the quality and comfort when I try it for myself. That casual setting he described is exactly how I'll be playing. There are also already games coming to PSVR that aren't "mini games".

Now we understand why you're hating on VR. Pretty selfish although I can understand your disappointment.

No one is going to want to play VR when they're getting motion sickness so I agree with you there

And what is the point? Just because a few people may get sick that VR is a gimmick? It's total immersion. There's a reason why everyone is jumping on it. They know the technology is unrivaled. People want it. It won't go away.

@lifeistranger it's a gimmick because it will die out quickly because of oversaturation in the market. Too expensive and small market for those who will actually buy it. People will stick with consoles. VR is great technology, just not for gaming at this juncture.

That's like saying consoles are over saturated. You really don't understand this industry and you definitely don't understand this technology. Or humans.

Nintendo is doing awesome stuff without doing online. Some Sony and Microsoft stuff is doing amazing without online and having a gripping story, like Pete said, and good gameplay. It's not strictly the time of "online gaming." If that were the case single player experiences and campaigns would be gone. Only EA is doing that.

"This is the online era. Get with the times"

Are you 12? What kind of argument is this? What if I said "this is the crotch kicking era, get with the times grandpa".