Man creates VR headset that kills you when you die in a video game

Video games offer a luxury not received in real life - being able to die and try again.

But one man decided to turn the tables with video game death, aiming for a frighteningly high level of realism.

Virtual reality (VR) headsets are leading the way in immersive gaming, providing users with a more authentic experience.

But sometimes there's a line drawn too far.

Palmer Luckey founded Oculus VR in 2012, before selling it to Facebook for $2 billion, and has since been mainly working on national defence tech since his departure.

But his hobby of combining defence tech with gaming has only just begun.

The Jigsaw-like deathtrap kills players if they die in the video game / SOPA Images/Getty Images

The device, inspired by the fictional 'NerveGear' from the Japanese novel series and anime 'Sword Art Online' operates on a chilling principle: if you die in the game, you die in real life.

No, seriously.

Players are trapped in an immersive VR combat simulation. Geared with the 'NerveGear' tech, they must find a way to escape the literal life-threatening scenario or win the game.

Luckey’s customised VR headset is rigged with explosive charges that will 'destroy the brain of the user' upon triggering an 'appropriate game over' screen.

The creator explained that 'pumped up graphics might make a game look more real, but only the threat of serious consequences can make a game feel real to you and every other person in the game.

'This is an area of videogame mechanics that has never been explored, despite the long history of real-world sports revolving around similar stakes.'

Luckey has long had the idea to create something like this.

In March 2021, he posted on X, formerly Twitter: 'The concept of videogames with physical consequences as severe as death are a sci-fi staple, but seen as beyond the pale in real life. Given the popularity of motorsports, extreme athletics, etc: Why?'

The device currently sits as a piece of 'office art' / Getty Images/Minecraft

However, Luckey acknowledges that his project is far from completion, as he said: 'The good news is that we are halfway to making a true NerveGear. The bad news is that so far, I have only figured out the half that kills you.

'The perfect-VR half of the equation is still many years out.'

Luckey said that he aims to 'make it impossible to remove or destroy the headset' meaning once you're in, there's no backing out - unless you beat the game, of course.

But just to be clear, nobody's actually risking their life by playing with this thing.

Even the designer himself hasn't tried on the Jigsaw-looking deathtrap, mentioning that there are still risks that it could 'fail and kill people at the wrong time.'

Right now, it sits as a decorative piece of 'office art' that only exists to claim the throne of the only murderous VR headset.

Though, I doubt there'll be a line-up of volunteers eager to test out the device anytime soon.