Virtual Reality (VR) is the New Reality...

I wrote about my laser tag experience some five months back. It's about another VR experience, but this time I didn't play any games; the kids did. Instead, I had a blast on the best roller coaster ride in a futuristic city.

For those who are not familiar with the term virtual reality, although the chances are slim:

Virtual reality, or VR, is a simulated three-dimensional (3D) environment that lets users explore and interact with a virtual surrounding in a way that approximates reality, as it's perceived through the users' senses.

VR is such a magical reality. I mean, until you experience it, you just can't describe it in words. The moment you put on the VR set, you're completely oblivious to your surroundings. Personally, my heart was pounding like crazy. I was the last to try it. First, the kids had their fun with the VR games and rides. Later, when everyone was done, my sister-in-law insisted, "You have to try this!"

Even though I know it's all VR and that I'm perfectly safe and sound surrounded by my kids and relatives, there's still this strange feeling. I don't know why it happens. It's like being immediately detached from actual reality.

But once I started to feel at ease, this VR world... wow, it's just mind-blowing. It's an experience you can't put into words. At the start, there's an announcement... oh, and they even make you put on a seatbelt. Then, in this deep, dramatic voice, it says,

"Hello, welcome to this futuristic city. You're about to ride a rollercoaster that will take you to places no one has explored before. Up to the sky and down to the ground. Fasten your seatbelt. Your journey starts now."

I don't remember the exact words of announcement, but it was something like that.

And then, there's a vibration in your seat and off you go.

I was clutching my seat so tightly as if I was fighting for my life. Like seriously, I felt like I could fall off the ride. I'm really not exaggerating.

After a while, I started to enjoy it. Suddenly, I looked to my left. Wow, there were views and buildings there too. I tried looking to my right. Again, a different set of buildings and scenes... Okay, let's look above me. What the actual heck! I could see clouds, airplanes, and the blue sky. It's 4D or maybe even 5D... I don't know, all the D's are there! You are actually in that space!

It was something like this:

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The ride would ascend and descend the skyscrapers, plunging from great heights into the ground. The seat would jolt you, making your heart skip a beat. Wow, just wow!

And I wished that this ride would just keep going and I could stay there forever.

It was a crowded arena, and the cheap management didn't have proper air conditioning. Just five minutes ago, I was at my wit's end, telling the kids to stop. Enough already! The kids had played other games too—bumper racing, wall climbing, and more. Despite the heat, they weren’t ready to leave. My patience was about to run out. But now, sitting on this ride, I was completely oblivious to everything around me. The noise didn't bother me, and neither did the heat.

I’ll tell you more about yesterday’s experience, including the arena's layout and the other rides and games. It was a great place, but the poor management affected the overall experience, which could have been more enjoyable and comfortable. Anyway, today was all about virtual reality... Which is the new reality!