J-Dome: 180 Degrees of Gaming Goodness

John Nilsson had a dream: a more immersive gaming experience for everyday folks like you and me. One of the limiting factors currently affecting gameplay was the tiny field and angle of vision allowed by the conventional flatscreen monitor. So, using his noggin, he devised the J-Dome, a 180-degree screen that you set up in front of a projector, start up your game and surround yourself during play with a much fuller range of vision. You’d be surprised at how much of the environmental components of a game you’re missing out on by trying to see everything in a 3D virtual world using a planar computer screen.

You know it may not be the coolest looking thing, the cheapest (once you factor in the projector), or the most practical, but it’s nice to see entrepreneurs tackling the always problematic quest for more and more immersive gaming atmosphere’s. Relative to a full virtual reality system, the J-Dome (estimated to end up costing $125-$200 plus the price of a projector) is quite cheap, and can play your well-loved existing games. No format issues, no multitude of necessary add-ons, just a few quick settings adjustments and you’re off to the races.