Well yeah I completely agree with you that it's not born out of necessity (there was an EU tech fund they got to finance it) , I do think you can do some really cool stuff with it - especially with the head tracking cube thing. It's not gonna dust away. Similarly, while I haven't tried the Oculus, if it can manage to provide a similar 3D perspective-changing experience it will be used for cool stuff. It might need some more accelerometers (as I don't think you can move now without a controller of some sort) but it's a hella lot cheaper than the millions spent on that 3D Imax touchscreen and not that much less cool.
I disagree with the fundamental premise. VR has had decades to improve. It hasn't, not appreciably. When a technology offers an advantage, technology improves by leaps and bounds because there is utility to improving it. When a technology hangs forever over our heads without actually arriving, it's generally because there isn't money to be made on it because nobody really needs it. That's where your wristphone is. That's where your flying car is.
That doesn't mean it isn't cool though! It is definitely not needed, not something that the market will chase to improve, unless some really amazing use is found. Just like the wristphone and the flying car, it is a cool gimmick that some people will chase after because they want to have it and experience it.
Totally different discussion. I fully support Oculus Rift or the Sony thing as a gaming accessory. It's when this "ZOMG GONNA CHANGE EVRYTHINGS" discussions come up that my cynicism shows. "Come look at a spider in VR to solve your arachnophobia" is a subsidized project justifying its existence. "Come kill a giant spider in VR because it's fuckin' awesome" sells itself.
I know, the whole Oculus Rift being bought by Facebook hasn't done this platform much good. Too high expectations, too little added value. That was not my favourite dungeon in Skyrim. Gimme some damned dragons to slay, man!Totally different discussion.
"Come kill a giant spider in VR because it's fuckin' awesome" sells itself.