So, Companies, (or some random people) are going to eventually make RPGs and MMORPGS specifically for the oculus rift (and other future headsets) that use a mixture of head tracking, hand tracking, and an immersive, first person (or hover camera 3rd person), 3d virtual environment. (I want to say like .hack, but people have different views on such things, however .hack is currently more realistic in the next few years as opposed to something like SAO, in .hack they used a Playstation Controller
)As you all know, many things are coming out, such as the leap motion, the (already released) razer hydra, etc.
There is one thing that I ponder consistently, but can't come to a conclusion.
Let's start at the beginning; RPGs are all about roleplaying* your character in a different world. So, we want to feel immersed in the experience, but what truly defines immersion? In .hack and Snow Crash, they were immersed in the game, as to where it felt like second nature to them, but they didn't really feel like anything was actually hurting them, besides the people that got hacked, but to them it was still a truly immersive world.
So, is it safe to assume, that we as human beings, don't require full 5 sense immersion, to feel immersed in a world?
I used to play Phantasy Star: Universe a while back, and I tried my dad's vixia headset, and zoomed in first person. Of course, the technology at the time was a distant screen surrounded by black
, but it really felt like I was part of the action. When I talked to people, it felt like I was talking to real people (which I was), but actually them, not just their avatars. 
If we have a degree of emotional interaction and connection with people in the game, we don't need full 5 sense immersion, we just need to be close enough that we can have emotional connection, through audiovisual cues, and through having a common space/thing to do.
So, with that in mind, we don't need a complete body suit with 200* sensors, we just need some standard device, not too expensive, everyone can use, that works.
After some research, there are 3 options that I can see:
1) Standard gamepad (perhaps xbox controller with keyboard attachment)
2) Leap motion (this one is interesting, read more below)
3) Razer Hydra (preferably a wireless version)
The standard gamepad is of course, standard, and while you get used to it, I feel it would eventually make VR just a cool monitor.
The leap motion however, is something completely different. If you take a look at the oculus, there is a giant empty space on the front, and since there is no camera there, it would take simple tape/removable adhesive/mount attachment to put the leap motion on the front. From there, (assuming you were playing standing for 360 turning) it could pick up your hands as you hold them out infront of you, using your right arm to swing your sword, and your left arm to block with your shield (for example). This does come with limits however, as it only picks up what is in a 2foot cube INFRONT of the sensor, if you were to do anything behind, it would not pick it up, and most people will not spend extra money on an extra sensor, or set up a mirrored room just to play a game. Also, it would have no way to detect forward motion without look down at your feet, or using your hands to walk.
The Razer Hydra however, solves some of these problems, but creates new ones. Currently, the hydra is more expensive than the leap motion, and only usable for gaming (For the most part) while the leap motion is usable for many fields, most likely meaning it will get more independent support from random people. I took some time with the Hydra MotionCreator software, and it is very limited. However, I also was looking at tf2 with the hydra, using analog motion controls (where you move the hydra moves your characters hands) and find this very promising. If the RPG/MMO had analog motion direct support, it would make a 1v1 duel for example, feel real time. And you could do things such as put it behind your back to sheath your sword, etc. Also, you could use the joystick(s) for motion. To some people, this might feel less realistic, however when you are playing BF3 or or perhaps fear 3 on your computer, you feel in the environment, no matter how you move. Like someone said on these forums:
So, all signs point to the hydra, however, it has one BIG flaw. It is wired, and the only place you would be able to use an extension cord (Besides custom made) is from the base to the computer, and even if you had an extension for the controllers, you would get wrapped in wires by the time you finished kiting the final boss of the dungeon. Razer has said nothing, or at least very little, about a wireless hydra 2 anytime soon. (I believe when the original was in beta there was lots of lag issues.) Which is where the leap motion would shine. I am soon getting the razer hydra to do some tests with portal 2, tf2, and whatever other games will have native support in the near future. However, I'm going to wait on the leap motion.When I move in real life, I don't think about how to move my legs to get there, I think "Ok, walk that way, watch out for the ice, turn right, open the door."
I'm not a developer, (went to camp for UDK development
)but this is what I think. As of now, gaming motion gloves and neuron readers aren't very good, (although I did have an idea for a razer hydra DIY glove, but you might as well just hold it.)So, any thoughts?
it would solve the problem of 360 motion, and in a way, the length of wires. A few problems/questions though:
