Virtual Marriage Counseling

A few researchers at Georgia Tech have conceived the ultimate augmented reality game. For those of you who are unfamiliar with augmented reality, it is when you take virtual reality and mix in some actual reality. For example, making the user literally move around as the computer simulation responds in turn. When you combine those two elements, you get a game that puts you into the most terrifying conflict ever: a marital spat.

That’s right, this game, also known as AR Façade, allows you to be in the middle of an argument of a married couple. Apparently, the game allows you to play the role of counselor, or mediator, or arbiter, whatever the case may be. This couple argues over the usual things, like home décor, vacations, jobs, and, of course, wine selection. I’m surprised that money and sex was not included on that list.

I do not know why anyone would make a game like this. Out of all the things I would use virtual reality or even augmented reality for, this would be last on my list. To be honest, this sounds more like a reality TV show than what I really would have wanted out of augmented reality.

Not only that, look at this interface. I’m afraid I have no idea how AR Façade would actually work, but I am assuming that all the visual action is done through the goggles. These goggles then connect to a laptop interface that you wear on your back in the form of a laptop. Just be sure not to sit down.

I suppose this constant standing creates the experience of being a stand-up marriage counselor. I have no idea how, but apparently the user can somehow take sides during the couple’s spat. I wonder how that can happen, because I’m not certain how you can program a computer to make a virtual spouse think, much less respond to counseling. Maybe you can use the old Dr. Phil standby of “how does that make you feel”.

Speaking of virtual spouses, look at the visual design that they chose. The lady looks like some derivative of Joan Collins. Hopefully this is your counseling assistant, and not the one you are counseling.

Still, marriage counseling is something that there is an ever-increasing demand for. I can only assume that AR Facade’s purpose is to train future counselors for this cutthroat business. I guess there is no problem that technology cannot solve.