If we would have to believe 'Mondo 2000: A User's Guide to the New Edge' we would run around virtual worlds already using headmounted displays to navigate through those worlds. AS we all know, that hasn't quite happened just yet. These heads up displays, or projected environments are still very much like science fiction for those of us who are not working in the military. For example the latest fighter pilot helmets that display all the information inside the helmet, allowing the pilot to look around while at the same time having those important numbers right in front of their nose. And at the same time effectively reducing the necessity of the tradition HUD (Heads Up Display).
While virtual worlds are steadily increasing in popularity, from the early MUDS to the now booming MMORPG's (massive multiplayer online role playing games) or any game feature a multiplayer part. Whether it's offline or online, ... there are plenty of possible worlds to choose from. We can be knights, thieves, elves, orcs (Ultima Online, Everquest, Dark Age of Camelot, LotR online, Warhammer, Lineage, World of Warcraft), space pilots (EVE Online) .. or just explore the familiarity of a place that resembles our own reality (Second Life).
There are limits in how far we can be submerged in those worlds. Allthough there are a lot of stories about addiction to Online gaming we're not yet 'in' there. We are still limited by the 2d screen in front of our eyes.
Navigating online worlds is still very unefficient. We could be considered to be spoiled by the very basics of hyperlinks, clicks leading us directly to where we want to go. Having to walk around a virtual library to look for a book would seem rather pointless and a waste of time. Why else would the internet slowly be replacing libraries now? There are vast amounts of information available with a single mouseclick. Having to navigate a 3d world would be too cumbersome to be efficient, to be 'time-saving'. Having a totally immersive experience might not always be what we are looking for.
Sources: CNet
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