Incuvo Blog | Reunited with passion

VR goggles are capable of many things. They can render a hoard of zombies begging for a headshot, a roller coaster out of this planet, but most importantly - they can render a smile on someone’s face. I’d like to tell you a story that captivated and inspired me to think about VR entertainment in a different way.

If you read our previous articles, you should be familiar with the ‘Everest VR: The journey to the top of the world’ series on Oculus. Throughout the 3 episodes, you accompany a team of climbers in a brave attempt to reach the summit without using the oxygen bottles. It’s safe to say that the visuals are breathtaking and the series altogether is very interesting. Not so long ago, Incuvo’s lead designer, Przemek, was visited by his friend - a retired Himalayan mountaineer. As a VR addict, Przemek decided to transport the friend to his natural habitat with the Everest series.

The Himalayan climber, let’s call him Jim, who is not a big fan of new technology and gaming, put the goggles on and started his journey alongside the Everest VR team. In that moment, Jim was in his element and you could tell! He became extremely passionate and excited about every little detail. From the wrongly strapped shoe of one of the climbers to yaks majestically strodding the mountains, the retiree was pointing out things that stand out to him with excitement and a smile building up with every new detail he found fascinating. Przemek witnessed the change in his friend's behavior with clear satisfaction that he was able to provide such experience for him. In the series, reaching the summit of Mount Everest is the moment of climax, but for Przemek, it was when he saw the spark in Jim’s eyes after taking the goggles off. That subdued passion for Himalayism was painted all over his face now. Skin glowing with excitement, dreamy eyes and a mouth that couldn’t stop moving, talking for hours about the experience and climbing in general.

The change in Jim, after he virtually climbed Everest, was profound, and all he needed was a little time with VR goggles on. Don’t you think it’s awesome?! Think about all the people who, for different reasons, aren’t able to participate in their passions anymore. VR entertainment has many faces, so everyone can find something that tickles that lost passion bone. After all, we all want to feel alive and if climbing the world’s summits is what gets you going, try the VR experience!

Hearing the story of Jim’s experience from Przemek, I started to wonder… if this is all it takes to give someone a taste of their long lost passion and transport them to the world where they can still participate in it, who else could we bring this joy to? Can you think of other professions or hobbyists who could be reunited with their passions via a virtual reality headset? What apps and games could bring people back to the time of their greatness?

Cami