Is Virtual Reality Like SAO Possible?

In the digital age, the world of virtual reality (VR) has captivated the imaginations of many, inspiring concepts from the Sword Art Online series to become a reality. This article delves into the feasibility of creating a virtual reality (VR) or augmented reality (AR) world that rivals the Sword Art Online: Ordinal Scale, exploring both the technical and practical aspects of such a development.

Technological Feasibility of AR Similar to Sword Art Online

Let us start by examining the technological potential for creating an AR world similar to the one depicted in Sword Art Online Ordinal Scale. From the perspective of AR, we are in a position much closer to achieving this vision.

We already possess the necessary infrastructure and technologies to achieve such a feat. Precise location tracking and low-latency connectivity are major achievements, thanks to the spreading of 5G networks. Additionally, camera tracking technologies offer the potential for even more precise AR experiences. These advancements are laying the groundwork for a more immersive reality.

Physical Feedback: The Major Roadblock

Despite these technological advancements, there are significant hurdles to overcome, particularly when it comes to "physical feedback." The ability to emulate certain sensations, such as heat from an explosion, is within sight thanks to our growing understanding of the brain. However, replicating the physical impact of an explosion or other physical interactions remains an insurmountable challenge.

For instance, consider the nature of sword combat in a virtual world. During a clash, players experience a complex interplay of physical forces that result in their center of balance and momentum. This is impossible to replicate in an AR scenario, as the virtual swords simply phase through each other, leaving the players to collide or tumble.

The precision required to counterbalance a sword attack with the real-world muscle strength is beyond our current technological capabilities. Even if it were possible, no human muscle is strong enough to simulate the force needed to counter the lunges and impacts in combat scenarios. This is a fundamental limitation of AR technology.

Technological Feasibility of VR

Voice to voice, virtual reality (VR) faces its own set of challenges, but it also holds more promise than AR in the short term. While the experience of fully immersive VR remains elusive, the technology is advancing rapidly. The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) over the past two to three years has enabled the generation of procedural quests based on real-world stories, myths, and history.

Despite these advancements, achieving a fully immersive VR experience like Sword Art Online Ordinal Scale is still a long way off. However, the stratagem of partial immersion might yield results sooner. For example, the idea of FullDive VR, where a user would interface directly with their brain, is still on the horizon. Palmer Luckey, one of the visionaries behind the Oculus, expressed a more realistic scenario where VR systems would still require screens and headphones.

Legal and Ethical Challenges

The true challenge facing VR is not purely technological but ethical and legal. The key roadblock lies in the invasion of privacy. Even today, concerns over social media and personal data sharing have governments enacting legislation to protect individual privacy. The idea of a corporation selling a brain-interfaces device is far from legal.

The concerns over privacy are only expected to grow as technology advances. Any full-body VR interface that interacts directly with the brain poses a significant risk to individual autonomy and personal data security. Until these ethical and legal concerns are addressed, a truly immersive and full-body VR experience like Sword Art Online remains a distant dream.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while the technological groundwork for developing a VR or AR world like Sword Art Online Ordinal Scale exists, there are still significant hurdles to overcome. The challenge lies in the physical feedback required for realistic combat and the ethical and legal concerns surrounding full-body brain interfaces. Nevertheless, technological progress in VR and AR continues to bring us closer to a future where such experiences might become reality.