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That head-gear with the 3D LCD displays and movement/position sensors are all well and good but it's very hard to believe you're actually "there" -- wherever "there" is supposed to be.

A far more practical version of VR is however, becoming an increasingly important part of many people's leisure-time activities.

I'm talking about online computer gaming where, even though you may be sitting comfortably on a sofa in your living room, the battle, race, fight or whatever you're engaged in, takes place somewhere in cyberspace and your opponents can be virtually anywhere on the face of the globe.

Well that's the way it's supposed to work isn't it..

But what's going to happen now that Telecom says it is closing down its gamer DSL service?

As any hard-core gamer will tell you, latency is everything when you're playing an online game. If your ping times are too high then you're at a decided disadvantage because it has the effect of dramatically slowing your reactions to the gameplay.

JetSurf and other services provided through the upcoming UBS service are no help here because Telecom defines these as non-realitime so there is no guaranteed maximum latency.

Now have your say Got something to say about today's column, or want to see what others think?  Visit The Forums While you're here, why not visit the Aardvark Hall of Shame and perhaps make your own nomination.

So what are gamers going to do?

How are you going to *enjoy* the online experience promised with your Xbox-Live subscription?

How will Kiwi gamers be truly competitive in the global gaming arena?

Maybe I've missed something -- is there going to be a viable broadband connection for gamers in NZ?

While browsing the web the other day I found another kind of virtual tournament.

In this case, the contestants will perform an aerobatic routine on a flight simulator and then submit a video of the performance to the judging panel.

Internet latency doesn't matter a damn in this contest, it's all down to the skill of the competitor -- which is the way it should be.

I wonder whether this is the type of virtual reality game where Kiwis might not be disadvantaged by the excuse for broadband that has been foisted upon us?

Psst -- want some missile technology?
Those who have followed my own battle with the NZ government probably (like me) found the most astonishing part of the whole thing to be that it would be quite acceptable for me to export military technology to Iran.

Well it seems that the NZ government remains keen to forge trade deals with Iran.

Perhaps *my* mistake was not to go through with the deal I was offered -- maybe that's why the government got all uppity and decided to teach me a lesson?

If you feel that this is a good thing and/or you hold a "geniune affection" for yours truly -- then you are welcome to gift me some money using the buttons provided. In gifting this money you accept that no goods, service or other consideration is offered, provided, accepted or anticipated in return. Just click on the button to gift whatever you can afford. NOTE: PayPal bills in US dollars so don't accidentally gift more than what you were intending :-)

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