How virtual worlds really work with head-mounted displays

This detailed video from a 3D graphics developer shows how immersive virtual worlds should work with head-mounted displays, using a Doom 3 level and a Portal gun.

You don't need to go back too far in history to see a time when we really thought that all computer interaction would end up taking place via some sort of virtual-reality hook-up. Sadly, the reality of virtual reality always seemed to remain very virtual.

Spotted by Rock Paper Shotgun, this 12-minute video offers a detailed and rather incredible look at just what it's like to use a head-mounted display in a virtual world.

The video's creator is a 3D graphics programmer, who made the video in the wake of the popularity of the Oculus Rift. While he's excited about another mainstream head-mounted display, he said he's also a little worried:

I'm concerned about two things: one, that audiences who have never been exposed to VR or HMDs have unrealistic expectations of what the Oculus Rift can do, and will be disappointed when they see the real thing; two, that software ported from the desktop world will carry over baggage from that world that will lead to a sub-optimal experience.

Personally, we think the video demonstrates that the technology is actually ahead of where we thought it was. It's embedded below, but we'd encourage everyone to head over to Doc-Ok.org and read the blog post that accompanies the video for even more information.