WSU Everett prof on promises, pitfalls of virtual reality

As cool as it would be, the virtual reality headset in Brett Atwood’s office isn’t a portal to the OASIS, the immersive computer-generated universe featured in Steven Spielberg’s upcoming sci-fi film “Ready Player One” hitting theaters March 29.

But if you look at it through his eyes, you’ll see much more than a virtual reality gaming device.

Atwood, 49, is an associate professor and the director of integrated strategic communication at Washington State University Everett. He’s witnessed and been a part of the growth of virtual reality over the past two decades, from reporting on early VR systems to marketing Second Life, a 3-D online role-playing game that was inspiration for the OASIS, which Spielberg is adapting from Ernest Cline’s best-selling novel.

For the past 10 years, Atwood has explored the intersection between education, journalism and 3-D spaces by organizing panels and workshops.

Atwood is moderating “Storytelling in 3-D Spaces: A Mixed Reality Event” at 9:10 a.m. March 27 at the university’s Pullman campus, featuring virtual reality experts Bernhard Drax and Torley Wong.

The panel will discuss the legitimacy, complexity and realness of the human experiences tethered to virtual lives. But you don’t have to drive across the mountains for the event; it’s being live streamed online at www.facebook.com/murrowcollege.

What is a mixed reality event?

A mixed reality event can really vary in how it is implemented, but in this case I’ll be on the WSU Pullman campus in front of a live audience, while my avatar will also be logged in simultaneously to the social VR platform Sansar. Our guest speakers will not be physically present in Pullman, but they will be projected behind me as they interact with me and the audience through voice chat and via their avatars. This will allow us to talk to some amazing experts who we might not otherwise be able to get out to Pullman.

Bernhard Drax is a Munich, Germany-based documentary filmmaker who has created several productions that explore the stories emerging within 3-D communities and cultures in virtual worlds. Our other guest is Linden Lab’s senior producer Torley Wong, who is also well-regarded in the virtual communities. Torley has done the audio design for Sansar.

Why pay attention to virtual reality?

Not everyone is going to have an interest in or desire to experience virtual reality — but I encourage everyone to at least check it out. The first time you put on a virtual reality headset, it can be mind-blowing. If it is a well-created virtual reality app or experience, then you really feel transported to a different place.

There is actually a term “telepresence” that is used to describe the sensation of feeling like you are actually somewhere else when using virtual reality technology. Your mind is tricked into thinking that you are in a different space, so it can also be disorienting for some people.

What got you into virtual reality?

I was addicted to Atari as a child of the ’70s. I would actually write the video game companies with ideas as a kid and, in some cases, they wrote back. I was a bit of a strange child in that I also was fascinated by the business side of the entertainment and technology industries. My parents would drive me to the local library as a kid so that I could read Variety and the various trade publications (which I couldn’t afford on my allowance).

I’ve had a strong fascination and interest with virtual worlds for well over a decade. It started when I was a new media reporter for the publication Billboard, where I was first exposed to an early virtual world known as Worlds Chat. There was a dedicated David Bowie 3-D experience built on that platform that I covered as a reporter in the late ‘90s.

Later, I met Philip Rosedale, the founder of Second Life, while I worked at RealNetworks and eventually was able to work directly with Linden Research, which also makes Sansar.

Tell me about virtual reality in “Ready Player One.”

The book by Ernest Cline and film directed by Steven Spielberg take place in the year 2045 during a time when many people retreat into virtual worlds as a way to escape from the bleakness of the physical world. I think that there are certainly some parallels to our current society and the addiction that some people have to various forms of technology. That is certainly true of some social gaming platforms, but also to mobile and social media.

Other than games, how does virtual reality tie into real life?

Virtual reality and virtual worlds are not only a means for experiencing ideas outside daily lives, but also for connecting with others in a safe and comfortable way. Many people who suffer from anxiety, depression and other mental health needs find it easier to attend meetings and otherwise socialize in virtual environments. Additionally, this is true for those who may have physical disabilities, substance dependencies and other forms of behavioral diagnosis.

Are there any concerns over the advancement of virtual reality?

Our virtual and physical lives are more intertwined now than ever — and that is not always a good thing. Obviously, virtual reality is still an emerging technology, and anyone looking into it should do so with some caution. For example, if you are prone to seizures or other sensory afflictions, it would be advisable to take extra care in the types of experiences you choose to interact within virtual reality. Taking breaks, making sure that if you are moving around while in virtual reality, you have enough room to do so free of clutter and/or potential hazards is important, and really paying attention to how you feel while in virtual reality is key.

What exciting things are happening in the industry?

At Washington State University, there is a virtual reality lab that focuses on two research areas including environmental issues and political persuasion. For example, some research explores immersion in political rallies to see how group dynamics in a virtual space might impact a person’s political views.

I’m also fascinated by how virtual reality is experienced by those who have disabilities. For example, can the telepresence sensations have a positive and healing effect on those who are not able-bodied? Imagine if you were unable to walk freely but could restore some of the senses of mobility and freedom in a virtual environment.

VR is already helping patients indirectly through medical training and simulation. This empowers health care professionals and students with cutting-edge technology that can help save lives and cut costs. The health care industry has already started to do some bold experiments using virtual reality.

Did you see any of these changes coming?

As an Atari kid, I expected that games would become more graphically advanced, since there were always newer and better consoles being released. The Atari 2600 was succeeded by the improved Atari 7800 and the home PCs were always evolving. However, I never really imagined that we would advance to the level of sophisticated game play and storylines that we see today. It is really exciting to see.

Evan Thompson: 360-544-2999; ethompson@heraldnet.com.