Just realized my local hangout spot is empty because of VR meetups

I used to meet up with friends at this arcade bar every other week, but lately, no one wants to go. They all said they'd rather log into this VR world where we can play games and talk like we're in the same room. I finally gave it a shot last weekend, and we spent hours in a virtual cabin playing cards and laughing. The weird part is, it felt just as fun as being out, but now my usual spots around town seem quieter. I think more people are choosing to connect this way instead of going out. It's a big shift from how we used to spend our free time. I wonder if this is happening in other places too. What do you guys think about VR changing how we hang out?

4 comments

4 Comments

the_richard5h ago

Actually, my brother got a VR headset last year and we used to meet for coffee every month. Now we just hop into a virtual space and catch up while playing some silly game. Last time, we were floating in zero gravity tossing a ball around, and it was a blast. But I do miss the smell of coffee and the noise of the cafe. It's weird how real it feels without being there in person. Makes me wonder if we're losing something or just finding new ways to connect.

robin9955h ago

I read a blog post by a psychologist who studies tech and relationships. She said VR can make distant family feel closer, but it might not replace all the little things like shared smells or casual touch. Your zero gravity game sounds fun (and way cooler than my last Zoom call), but I get what you mean about missing the cafe vibe. The blog mentioned how even simple VR chats can reduce loneliness, but it's a trade off between convenience and full sensory experience. Maybe we're not losing connection, just changing what it looks like, like how phones changed letters but kept us talking.

xena_burns705h ago

Totally get that. I'm probably the weirdo who would try to sniff the virtual coffee and then feel silly about it. Makes you miss the small stuff even more.

gavinj485h ago

Caught a segment on a podcast talking about VR social spaces. They mentioned it's blowing up because you can meet without traveling. I see why your spot is empty now, since logging in is just easier. But it's weird how real it feels without actual coffee smells or background noise. That might chip away at the small talk we get in person, even if we're laughing together online. Still, it's cool tech that keeps friends close when life gets busy.