hypothetical What if There Was a Fully Immersive Pony VR Game Using Brain-Interfacing Technology?

[TS Lightner 269]

With Valve's claims that brain-interfacing VR technology is closer to reality "than we realize" (for both in-brain chips and external headsets), I started to think last night:
(Hypothetical time!)
What if there was a VR game that used brain-interfacing technology to created a fully immersive experience in Equestria?

This game would be something like this:

Imagine not having to look at a screen, but rather, seeing the world of Equestria as if your eyes were looking at it in the real life.  Instead of feeling your human body while playing, imagine getting the simulated feeling of having a pony body - hooves, ears, fur, tail, wings/horn, even hearing a completely different voice when you speak (voice depending on how you set the game up).  In fact, imagine if your brain could be tricked into experiencing events faster than they could happen in real life (such as being able to live 12 days virtually, with only 6 real-life hours passing)?

Gameplay wise, it would likely be a simple slice-of-life game, with interactive dynamic NPCs (possibly even using part of your own brainpower to allow them to function as a real AI) allowing you to truly experience day-to-day life within Equestria.  Character wise it could either allow you to live as your own character, or even experience life as one of the canon characters (or even include both options).


So if something like this existed, would you play it?  Not only that, but how would you play it?  Would you play as an OC, or would you want to live a day (or week) in the life of a canon character like Twilight or Pinkie?  I'd love to hear everyone's thoughts on something like this.

Now I know a lot of people feel that pretty much all of the 3D pony models are off-key in their own ways, but for me I feel like TheRealDJThed's models come the closest to what the ponies would actually look like in 3D. (However if anyone has different models or art styles that might be a better representation of ponies in 3D, please feel free to include them in your thoughts).

Edited August 30, 2019 by Virtual Click

[Pentium100 2,120]

Your description of the technology sounds kinda like "The Matrix". I am going with that.

For some reason, I would not want to have brain surgery done just to be able to experience virtual reality. Also, I do not trust companies and governments not to put something bad in that chip. If you had that done, how would you be able to tell if what you are experiencing is actually real or not? I would stay far away from that.
 

I would prefer virtual reality to function like the holodeck from Star Trek series. At least there may be a bit easier to tell reality from fiction. Or even have tech installed in your home that allowed a virtual character to interact with you and your home without simulating the environment (seen in Star Trek: Voyager).

 

But, for the sake of your question, let's say they made such a game (full environment simulation) using technology that I was OK with. How would I play? I would go as myself (human form, also it would probably be impossible have a different body), because I can't act and probably just have fun with the locals and participate in story events. I would not want to replace a canon character for a very simple reason - if I replaced Twilight, then the game would not have Twilight in it and I would not really be interested in doing whatever the others do.

[TS Lightner 269]

@Pentium100

Huh, I didn't think about the idea of a "human" option.  I suppose that would be good to have in there for some of the fans.

Also, I personally wouldn't want a chip in my brain either.  I'd much rather an external headset, more-so because I don't a computer reading my brainwaves 24-7 or anything.  I can sacrifice my brain's privacy while only gaming for the sake of an immersive experience, but 24-7 would creep me out too much.

[Pentium100 2,120]

2 minutes ago, Virtual Click said:

more-so because I don't a computer reading my brainwaves 24-7 or anything.

Not only that, but you would be having a major surgery to put that thing in. 

I would be OK with that if, say, I was disabled and such chip would allow me to walk again etc, but not for entertainment.

[HeavenSunset 1,867]

Well i guess i'm living in a video game

[BornAgainBrony 2,397]

Equestria in "The Oasis?"   Sign me up!!!

O.C. Definitely. I wouldn't ever want to be in control of one of the main characters. That'd screw with the immersion.

TBH I've already given some thought to this, thinking about where our technology is taking us. It won't be long before augmented reality could bring about virtual companions, and then it's only a matter of time before someone starts creating Ponies. I never used to be concerned about this back when I watched films like the Matrix. Reality vs. Fantasy was a no-brainer. These days, not so much, and I'm pretty convinced any kind of immersive Pony sim could make me blue-pill pretty darned quick. Or I'd be ripping the rig off of me seconds before that happened and then collapsing into a shaky emotional mess.

[EpicEnergy 23,173]

I wouldn't play it, not because it doesn't seem interesting, but because I know that I would lose my sense of reality and get way too immersed into the game.

[Londor 4]

I have to agree with Pentium100, as the way you describe the vr technology, sounds like something fantastic, out of this world, and it is way too ... sofisticated.  Just like the previous speaker, I would never agree to take a surgery in order to be able and play a vr pony game. Yeah, the idea in general is quite great, but the ways of reaching the result you want are just ... either insane or impossible. We already have a lot of vr porn, just like on https://vrbeginnersguide.com, so you could watch it and understand how it all works.

[Old Accnt. 3,149]

That be cool but i really don't need a possible sword art online scenario 

[Londor 4]

6 minutes ago, Londor said:

I have to agree with Pentium100, as the way you describe the vr technology, sounds like something fantastic, out of this world, and it is way too ... sofisticated.  Just like the previous speaker, I would never agree to take a surgery in order to be able and play a vr pony game. Yeah, the idea in general is quite great, but the ways of reaching the result you want are just ... either insane or impossible. We already have a lot of vr porn, just like on https://vrbeginnersguide.com , so you could watch it and understand how it all works.

Moreover, who really needs another sword art scenario just like the guy above said?!

[Old Accnt. 3,149]

if it is ready player one like then i'm game 

[Fluttershutter 2,400]

On 2019-08-29 at 10:12 PM, TS Lightner said:

With Valve's claims that brain-interfacing VR technology is closer to reality "than we realize" (for both in-brain chips and external headsets),

Do you have a link to that? I'm highly skeptical. 

On 2019-08-29 at 10:12 PM, TS Lightner said:

Instead of feeling your human body while playing, imagine getting the simulated feeling of having a pony body - hooves, ears, fur, tail, wings/horn, even hearing a completely different voice when you speak (voice depending on how you set the game up).

Well that would be crazy and you'd have to learn to walk and just interact with the world all over again. I think you'd literally have to add...something to your brain, new neurons or chips, to be able to use wings, tail, telekinesis, etc. I guess the time acceleration would be good to teach you to use a pony body.

And I'm sure it would be incredibly expensive.

 

Anyway, would I want to play? OF COURSE!!!!!

I don't know how I'd design the body. Probably something pretty basic. I'd probably want to play as each type of pony but start with a pegasus. I'd want to go on adventures with the mane six and just hang out with them.

 

[TS Lightner 269]

4 hours ago, Fluttershutter said:

Do you have a link to that? I'm highly skeptical. 

I made a small mistake with that original statement a couple of years ago.  While yes, Valve is looking to interface directly with the brain (just search "Valve BCI"), it would start with simply interfacing for the purposes of bypassing physical controllers.  That is the part that's "closer than we realize".  For actual neuro blocking and replacement, that's probably still a ways out (assuming that first-gen BCI won't actually be "disabling" your IRL hands).

That said I should probably reword the initial post slightly. (Though the site is apparently breaking every time I try to save the edit.)

Edited June 8, 2021 by TS Lightner

[Reality Check 631]

I'll admit, I'd be interested. But at the same time, I think I'd receive SAO vibes the moment I try it on.

[ExplosionMare 18,062]

I would try it out and be one of my OCs for a while just to see if any of the other ponies would interact with them

[Courageous Thunder Dash 7,824]

As @ExplosionMare said, I'd love to try it out, and either my OC Thunder Dash, Thundy or even Chelsea.