Skyrim fan wanted to experience game close enough to feel dragon's breath. Now, while playing, she gets zapped, and controls magic with her mind

Many consider The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim to be one of the best RPGs of all time. Taking a closer look at the whole picture - the vast, open world, the story, the character building - and add to it the game's memetic quality and multitude of mods, we get an almost perfect mix. The mods are quite a phenomenon, showing the full spectrum of creativity and player engagement in the title - from making the game prettier to replacing character models that effectively turn Skyrim into a shooter.

This commitment is also manifested in another way. Creative players often put their skills to use by building things like detailed LEGO replicas of the Skyrim world map - massive constructions that can easily cover half a wall in most rooms. Sometimes, however, the players' ambition and ingenuity can create something on a whole other level. How else to call turning feedback from the game into electric shocks to increase the immersion?

Immersion level - full immersion

Creating the most immersive experience possible by playing Skyrim - that’s the goal set by an online creator, GringasVR. She gave up the standard controller or keyboard in favor of VR motion controls, and that's just the beginning.

To enhance immersion, the TikTok video creator also uses haptic vests equipped with 40 vibration motors, allowing her to physically feel the impact of damage from both melee and ranged weapons.

As if that weren't enough, she also wears a suit equipped with a pair of electrodes, allowing her to feel the effects of being shocked by electricity or scorched by dragon fire. Devices worn on the head simulate potions flowing down the throat and even allow spells to be cast by controlling brain waves.

It could seem that this would be enough to transform Skyrim into an immensely immersive game. Not for GringasVR, though. Additional enhancements, like room fans that simulate in-game temperatures or voice control for using shouts further intensify the realism of the experience. We can also add the use of AI to talk to NPCs or a bow-shaped controller for using ranged weapons.

Bethesda Softworks

The full setup, along with a detailed explanation of how to fully immerse oneself in the world of Skyrim, is also shown in one of her older TikTok videos.

A gamer's dream or a total overkill?

The comment section under the posted video is full of admiration for the assembled and well-coordinated equipment. It's no surprise, the level of technical advancement required to achieve such a high degree of immersion in a game that's nearly 14 years old is truly impressive.

Some observe the topic with a certain degree of skepticism though. For some, the mere use of AI leaves a bad taste, considering how much and in how many contexts it has been discussed recently. Others, however, believe that if you want to experience effects like temperature changes or the sensation of being wet after entering a body of water, it’s better to simply stop playing and jump into a real lake.

One thing is certain - ongoing technological development will continue to bring us more devices that enable full immersion into game worlds. Undoubtedly, some will embrace this kind of equipment, while others will consider it "too much". What about you? Which group do you belong to?

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