Virtual Worlds

Virtual worlds has become a part of many people's daily lives, whether it is through the computer, the iPad, the iPhone, or on Android. Examples are online games like World of Warcraft, League of Legends, and mobile games such as Clash of Clans or LINE Play. Virtual worlds create a fictional environment where people interact online instead of in person. People are in their own space while at the same time somehow connected to millions of other people. Virtual worlds are a form of escape from reality, where you are capable of doing things you normally wouldn't be able to in real life and it puts us more at ease.

There are different ways of using virtual reality. Besides using it during our leisure time from work and school, it has been used as a healing platform for the U.S Army. The soldiers are constantly on the alert in a tough environment. According to Jacki Morie, a virtual world designer in telehealth care he used virtual reality to create a stress-free environment for a soldier. One tester entered the virtual world and was surprised at how calm everything was with no harmful NPCs. (Mehta, 2013)

Virtual reality also helps with autism. People with Asperger's Syndrome has a range of brain disorders that restrict them from social interaction and communication. However, in virtual reality games where people get to customize their own character like a real person, use a wide range of emotions and communicate through chat boxes allow people with autism to practice and get more comfortable with social interactions. (Saidi, 2008)

However, these are only several of the pros. There are also cons to virtual reality. Virtual reality online games contain all types of people, including people that like to bring others down. People can be constantly harassed in games, and leave them emotionally distressed. This is what they call online bullying. People have committed suicide as a result of online bullying, and it is not only through virtual gaming but online in general. Another thing is that there are some people that want to meet these online people in real life, and they come out not what they expected to be. They can be a threat to your well-being.

On another note virtual reality also fosters creativity. There are games such as Minecraft that allows you to build your own world, your own town and houses. There are also games such as Maplestory or World of Warcraft that inspires people to imagine a world with all these fantasy elements of elves, orcs, angry mushrooms that attack you, and you end up creating a story for yourself. The vast customization allows you to create every characteristic on your own and to your liking. Speaking from personal experience, online games was one of my inspirations when it comes to drawing and creating my own stories when I was a child. Therefore, I do believe that virtual realities foster a lot of creativity.

The future of virtual reality has already began. Oculus Rift has been introduced and it is a headset that allows you to see virtual reality and mentally feeling its emotions at the same time. For example, a virtual reality game where you are on a roller coaster ride and feeling as if it is actually real. This is only a start and I believe it has potential to help with further healing and autism.

Mehta, Diane. "After Second Life, Can Virtual Worlds Get a Reboot?" Forbes. Forbes Magazine, 30 Apr. 2013. Web. 23 Mar. 2015. <http://www.forbes.com/sites/dianemehta/2013/04/30/after-second-life-can-virtual-worlds-get-a-reboot/>.

Saidi, Nicole. "IReport: 'Naughty Auties' Battle Autism with Virtual Interaction." CNN. Cable News Network, 28 Mar. 2008. Web. 23 Mar. 2015. <http://www.cnn.com/2008/HEALTH/conditions/03/28/sl.autism.irpt/index.html#cnnSTCText>.