Virtual Reality Soon to Bring Scent to Virtual Games

With virtual reality constantly expanding its possibilities, scent is now a possibility. According to the website known as, Extreme Tech, this is not far aways from happening, there are already some prototypes being developed to go over or surround  the area of the nose on virtual reality headsets. When the player walks somewhere in the game or movie that has a scent, the scent will be released from scent releasing hardware.

According to Cinema Blend, the Virtual reality headset known as the Oculus Rift, is soon to have a new add-on to release different scents depending on what is looked at in the simulation of the game or movie being viewed. There have so far been seven scents available from the vr scent device according to The Verge. The scents include, ocean air, jungle, fire, grass, powder, flowers and metal. The decise will also include two water misting ports on each side of the device that will mist onto the face when the viewer walks near rushing water or a waterfall. There are also going to be airflow vents to release air and simulate wind.

“That sounds really expensive,” says Germantown student, Rachel Hucker. “The headset alone is hundreds of dollars so buying the add on must be crazy expensive. It is a really cool idea though, and It’s totally cool.

“I need this,” says Germantown student, Colt steffen. “I’m sure it must be super pricey but it’s probably worth it. It seems like soon, there will be everything in a vr world as there is in ours. It seems like virtual reality is advancing more and more every day. First you needed a phone to use them and now some don’t even need phones to operate and now they can add scent to what you look at in the game. That’s so amazing if you really think of the technology that goes into it.”

The Oculus Rift is sold for eight hundred dollars. Other of the vr headsets that do not need a phone to operate also cost around the same price not including the add-on items. The HTC VIVE also costs the same price not including shipping.

There are different prototypes for what the scent release hardware will look like. According to Extreme Tech, there are some that are smaller and clip onto the headset where the nose is. Other designs look bigger and cover the whole face. Some even are in the shape of a gas mask with scent cartridges that release the scent directly to the nose.

“You would think that the device that covers the face would have a lot of precipitation on it when the person is breathing. There must be some kind of ventilation system to prevent that from happening.

All of the prototypes created so far need to be clipped into the screen to the screen to be able to work. There the device can then be plugged in with the headset to sense what scent needs to be emitted to the viewer’s nose. Some of the scent devices even strap around the head in a similar way that the headset itself does. It will have one or two straps that clip together according to OhRoama.

These scented pieces are not perfected yet and are estimated to be around next year. The hardware has more work needed to be able to deliver the right scent at the right moment as well as control. According to Extreme Tech, all companies are still working on the controlled amount of smell being delivered so the viewer is not overwhelmed with the smell of fire or grass.

The company, Feel Real, made prototypes for a mas version that they claim is almost ready to sell. They said that the mask will be able to stimulate the senses to the whole face depending on what is happening in the movie or game being played. The feeling of being submerged under water or being in a windstorm will be able to be displayed with their new VR masks.