Wait, this is not a trick! What if we told you there was a chance that you would get to see, talk and touch a family member or friend who has passed away?
While some might say spooky, and others, impossible, the owners of Paranormal Games are working on an application that can make that happen.
Nick Stavrou and Steve Koutsouliotas, the co-owners of Paranormal Games are working on a Project Elysium, which will create a personalized experience that will allow users to visit with 3-D models of the dead in a virtual reality setting.
Unfortunately, their project isn’t without pitfalls, especially as regards the emotional well being of the bereaved. One wonders if the app would create an unhealthy means of escape for grieving people that will hinder them from embracing the reality of loss.
However, these two designers seem to have thought of everything, almost. The pair who have being consulting with grief counselors have put in place certain conditions that will protect a user from getting too attached to the virtual loved one.
They will impose a strict waiting period between the time of a loved one’s death and the time an individual will be able to access the application. Also, the app will automatically shut down after a specified amount of time and impose a ‘time out/ cool down’ period. Finally, there will be a debriefing function to assess how a user is coping with the experience.
Whether the reality of this app will be good for grief or not remains to be seen, but it sure raises goosebumps.