Immersion is becoming more well-known today. Janet Murray's Hamlet on the Holodeck discusses this topic with both positive and negative aspect. Immersion with gaming allows the player to escape reality. They become submerged in the game, or surrounded by the gaming environment. The environment can be a computer game to an actual holodeck like on Star Trek.
It can be fun to escape reality for a moment, but there are people who only know immersion as reality. Ed told us of a man who committed suicide after his game creature had been destoryed. In a sense, the man's life had been destroyed; the game was his life. People can lose touch with reality. I know immersion is a nice alternative to reality, but you can't let it encompass you. Immersion is everywhere and not only in games. Television and movies also create immersion. The 3D effect allows to the viewer to feel like they are in what they are viewing. This is a great feeling but don't let it take you over. Immersion is good just don't let it become your reality.
Posted by Rachel Howard at April 20, 2004 11:52 PMExactly, Rachel. (wow, that felt weird to type) Immersion is actually a very natural thing to do. Just don't take it too far. All things in moderation. Wow. Just got a thought. I wonder what immersion critics would say about the old Dungeons and Dragons cartoon? Double Immersion! 50 points!
Posted by: RachelCrump at April 26, 2004 02:06 PM