Every week it seems there is some new and awesome
development with the Oculus Rift and the VR technology on which is it based. I have
read about the gadgets being made to go alongside it to complete the virtual
reaity experience – the treadmill-style stand pad, for instance, designed to
keep players in one place to stop them from wrecking their houses. I have heard
a lot about the games being made for it. Mostly exploratory games designed to
make the most of the totally immersive technology, there is also set to be a
huge market for games featuring a lot of shock and gore. This is not all that
surprising. A California based firm called Sinful Robot is dedicated to
creating “reality adult encounters”, which is only odd because this kind of
thing usually comes from Japan.
And then I found something that can only be described as
noble.
A psychologist called Albert “Skip” Rizzo has been working
on the VR technology developed by Oculus to treat people suffering from post
traumatic stress disorder. His work utilises reality-based exposure to ease patients based into a state of health. He is also working with VR applications for things such a physical rehabilitation, the improvement of motor function and various programmes designed to help children suffering from all manner of problems spanning pain following operations to autism.
In 2010, he was presented with the American Psychological Association's Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Treatment of Trauma.
And with good reason.
