Hate the Holidays? Escape with VR

It's the holiday season and you can't wait to celebrate it with your family and loved ones. There are plenty of presents to go around, food to eat, and bonding to do. Yet, just only two hours in, you start to realize how much you dislike your itchy sweater, the never-right-tasting eggnog, and the nonstop babbling of your cousin's kids. And that's okay, because you've secretly got your escape planned. You just need to work on your excuses to leave. Where do you escape to? Virtual reality, of course. Whether you're gone for a few minutes, hours, or days... (ahem), with the help of VR, you'll be able to leave the confines of your holiday prison and travel far, far away.

Teach Me

To begin, there are three platforms for experiencing VR content: mobile, console, and PC, ranging from least to most powerful. One of the easiest ways to jump in is with Google Cardboard—literally a piece of cardboard with two built-in lenses and a spot for you to place your phone. Setup is quite simple, and it’s the most cost-effective solution out there. Beyond that, the mobile VR scene seems to have hit a wall, with Samsung and Google discontinuing the Gear VR and Daydream VR, respectively.
Next up are consoles. If you have a PlayStation 4, then you'll want to check out PlayStation VR bundles. These kits contain a headset, a camera, two motion controllers, which are all required for a complete VR experience, and a copy of a VR game. Please note that some games can be played using the DualShock 4 controller instead of the motion controllers. Nintendo Switch owners can also join in on the fun with Nintendo’s Labo VR kits. Made from cardboard, these DIY Toy-Con creations offer a variety of ways to play in VR. Xbox currently does not have a VR headset but, don't fret, because there's supposedly one in the works.