Reality+: Immersive Speculation on the Normalization of Virtual Reality in Future Daily Life

Reality+: Bridging Virtual Worlds to Everyday Life. Explore a speculative future where virtual reality seamlessly integrates with reality, prompting reflection on the nature of existence and our relationship with technology.

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Abstract

Reality+ is a project that designs a speculative immersive experience to explore the normalization of virtual reality (VR) technology in possible future daily life. As mixed reality technologies gain popularity, concerns about VR’s integration into everyday routines and its potential for overuse and addiction have become significant topics of debate. This project seeks to envision a future where VR is not merely a high-tech novelty but an integral part of various fields, shaping how we interact with and perceive the world. By stimulating these future scenes and functions, Reality+ aims to provoke critical reflections on the evolving role of VR in society and its implications for our lives. The project is developed using the Unity Engine and VR headsets Oculus Quest 2 and Oculus Quest 3. It features three stages: indoor, outdoor and outer space (abstract) environments where audiences can engage with pop-up floating windows that overlay virtual and dynamic information such as videos and audio pieces onto physical objects. This interaction provides a snapshot of how information will be encoding and decoding in the future, illustrating a world where VR technology seamlessly integrates with our surroundings. The project's design focuses on creating an open-world experience that expands the boundaries of physical space. Reality+ utilizes playful interactions and spatial environments to immerse users in a speculative future. Users can walk around, explore, and engage with different media elements. This setup highlights the potential for VR to transform our perception of space and time, as random windows and varying video lengths create a dynamic and unpredictable user experience. Reality+ wants to convey the concept of VR as a normalized, ubiquitous presence in our lives, challenging users to consider the philosophical, social, and practical implications of living in a world where virtual and physical realities are intertwined. By stimulating critical thoughts on the nature of reality and our interaction with media and information, the project aims to contribute to ongoing discussions about the future of VR technology and its role in shaping human experiences.

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