> It might change gaming, but as a non-gamer I don't see much point.
It will have a disruptive change to more than gaming. Here's why I believe so:
If you look at human history, we started with writing, then newspapers, then radio, followed by television. The way in which we consume media hasn't changed from television/displays. Virtual reality is the next evolutionary step in media consumption. The final step being human-computer interfaces.
I think because it enters us into a new realm it will be disruptive.
You're assuming your conclusion. "VR is the next step, so it will be huge." I'm saying, if it is the next step, how about some examples of how it will be used in the office? How is the lady at the DMV going to do her job better with VR? How's mechanic going to do a better job with VR? I don't even see how this is going to help me pass the time at the DMV, if I have to haul it around and look like a tool while I'm using it. Never underestimate the importance of not looking like a tool! How many people do you see walking around with bluetooth headsets today?
All of the examples you mentioned had applications besides entertainment, and in most cases those applications came first. As far as I can see, VR does not have any application outside entertainment. Maybe we're at a point where an innovation in entertainment is "sufficient" to disrupt things, but it's not safe to assume that making something more realistic is going to make it better. The 3D movie/TV craze is greatly diminished today compared to a couple years ago. There shouldn't be anything surprising about that--Hollywood has been trying to get people excited about 3D movies since the 50s, but the simple reality is that we are not insufficiently entertained without it.
I read a post earlier today about an Oculus Rift application built on the Unity 3D engine that can be used to let people virtually explore houses or offices before construction has been started. The post had some architect quoted as saying that pitching to customers was a lot easier when they can see what it will look like first hand.
I can't find the exact post now, but this link shows the same technology.
It will have a disruptive change to more than gaming. Here's why I believe so:
If you look at human history, we started with writing, then newspapers, then radio, followed by television. The way in which we consume media hasn't changed from television/displays. Virtual reality is the next evolutionary step in media consumption. The final step being human-computer interfaces.
I think because it enters us into a new realm it will be disruptive.