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Where are the virtual reality 3D games that were promised us decades ago? What is holding up the technology that would totally immerse us in a virtual world? According to a report just released from the American Mental Health Society, the answer is more terrifying than anyone could have predicted. You might recall the sight of the people in malls and labs wearing cumbersome, oversized helmets while testing prototypes of virtual reality systems. These images we saw on the news and science shows, along with the accompanying scenes of checkered floors, stairs, and prehistoric birds gave us a glimpse in the future – a future of a new digital world. This world totally immerses the player by substituting his or her real word with a full 360-degree virtual reality world. In combination with a process called holographic audio recording which gives sounds a specific location in space, this technology was poised to revolutionize the world, both in the entertainment and professional industry fields. Unfortunately something went wrong. Terribly wrong. The reason we haven’t heard much about virtual reality technology until now is because of a massive cover-up. A report released last week indicates that hundreds of people who tried the virtual reality machines actually developed severe mental illnesses. Some claimed the onset of depression, mania, and nervous breakdowns, with many requiring permanent hospitalization. Before lawsuits could be filed, tests and results had to be conducted and compiled. After years of research, the report states that in each and every case the virtual reality technology was responsible for altering the mental health of these subjects. “It’s very disturbing to see some of these people in the hospital as a result of this unproven technology,” says Professor Burton Ernie. “Seeing people in 80s hair styles chained to padded walls and screaming out the lyrics to old Bon Jovi songs is enough to make you want to run around firing off an AK 47 into a convoy of school buses,” he adds. Studies indicate that fooling the brain into accepting the notion of an artificial reality has very dangerous consequences. New synapses are created in the brain to accommodate the virtual reality, not only to be able to see it and process it properly but also to accept it and acknowledge that it is indeed an artificial reality. The problems occur when the virtual reality stimuli is removed, and the subject finds him or herself back in the real world with two fully-functioning independent brain signals. This pair of synapse pathways cause the brain to become cognizant on two different levels: one interpreting data normally, and the other contradicting those conclusions, essentially telling the brain that nothing is real. These contrary connections can eventually drive a person insane as they literally can’t tell the difference between fantasy and reality. It’s hoped that by examining videogame reviewers who show a propensity to thrive under such an affliction, a cure may one day be discovered. *This article is presented as an exclusive Cheat Code Central feature titled “Are you dumb enough to believe this?” Please check back each Friday for the newest edition. |