German virtual reality (VR) software developer Crytek has recently partnered with Oswego State. The VR program on campus is able to increase their resources as well as the research they are able to conduct.

This has led to the establishment of the first dedicated VR lab in Shineman, Jolanda Tromp, a computer science professor, said.

Crytek has partnered with Oswego State in hopes of pushing VR research and learning opportunities in the graduate program. Crytek has provided Oswego State with five state of the art VR headsets as well as CryEngine, a platform for software development.

This is a wonderful opportunity for Oswego State. This new partnership is advancing the human-computer interaction graduate program and allowing students more opportunities to explore their interests. Not only will this benefit the college, as it may spark interest in the school’s program for prospective students, but it will also allow advanced opportunities to current students.

VR sometimes gets a bad reputation. Many believe VR is solely for increasing video game technology, that the only use for VR is helping gamers escape further away from the real world. This could not be further from the truth.

Right here at Oswego State there is research being implemented using software called Analgesia. Using the software, research is being conducted on a program to help people with pain management, ranging  from a dental phobia to lengthy painful burn treatments. The VR would allow a distraction for the patient. In preliminary studies it has already been shown that this could drastically decrease the need for anesthesia and prescription painkillers.

Until recently, gaming and military use have been driving innovation within the field. But now as developers like Crytek are partnering with universities, research has been able to expand significantly, branching into fields such as medicine, marketing and engineering. It is also being used for specific purposes such as anorexia treatment.

There are so many positive uses for VR. and even more will surface as research continues. Though VR is not in everyone’s line of interest, the benefits that will arise from the research will benefit all since the uses are so versatile. It is very exciting that this valuable research is conducted at Oswego State. It is providing profitable opportunities to our own students, who are conducting research that will help a countless amount of people.

The opportunity to partner with Crytek is beneficial to all involved and is exciting for the entire community. It is encouraging to see the school taking an interest in VR. To see them making an active effort to accommodate students, as well as having the support of the outside influence of Crytek assisting VR is a wonderful opportunity that will lead to exciting advancements in the growing field of VR.