Last Updated on 17/11/2019 by Alex Squire
I tried out a virtual reality headset yesterday at the Natural History Museum in London.
The Natural History Museum have a virtual reality theatre where people can watch Short virtual reality films. The one I watched was called First Life, and was narrated by Sir David Attenborough so you know it’s going to be good.
The film is about life in the oceans of the Cambrian era and introduces you to a number of prehistoric organisms in their natural habitats, all beautifully recreated in glorious 3D. The film takes you from the dark depths of the ocean floor to warm shallow tropical seas. The virtual world is all around you and you can look in any direction you wish as the prehistoric creatures swim swim past.
I thought it was amazing! I have wanted to try out virtual reality for a long time and I wasn’t disappointed. The only drawbacks for me were that I couldn’t turn my head to the left or right very much. So I was only able to see what was happening in front of me, and not what was behind me. There also seemed to be a mysterious smudge on the left side of the lens which refused to go away no matter how many times we cleaned it.
Nevertheless I was suitably impressed. I really want to try out some other films and play games in virtual reality. Hopefully sometime in the future by some VR equipment for myself to use at home. I think for disabled people in particular virtual reality will provide a great form of escapism. It’s a chance to do things and go places that we would not be able to in real life. When this technology becomes more widespread and affordable I am excited about the possibilities. We may eventually be able to do anything we want in the virtual world.
Click here for more information about the VR experience at the Natural History Museum
