If you grew up in the eighties and early nineties and were even slightly interested in computers, then you are likely to shudder at the thought of virtual reality - particularly when headlines (like the one above) are along the lines of ‘it is finally here!’, writes Kevin Dyson.

Strangely enough, looking back to that period - where computer graphics were basically the equivalent of unrefined lego on your screen - it is probably not surprising that the idea of virtual reality was just around the corner.

After all, it was left up to your imagination to turn those blocky squares on the screen into something more elaborate, so why not have the same approach to future technology.

On the flip side of this is that, for many people, the idea of virtual reality headsets like the Sega one which did the rounds in the nineties has almost been dismissed.

It has been like one of those Star Trek gadgets that is both futuristic and outdated at the same time.

Then came the news of the Oculus Rift. At first I was expecting it to be some progressive rock band, complete with Rick Wakeman.

Not so Chris Mancini, of Largs Computer Exchange, one a just a few thousand people to have one of the prototype headsets which have become the harbinger of a new, revived virtual reality generation.

A self confessed geek, Chris got his hands on one of the Oculus Rift development kits (which have helped the company refine its product to reduce some of the more problematic issues such as motion sickness caused by latency) and promptly scared himself stupid by playing the already terrifying Alien Isolation - a remake of Ridley Scott’s original film. (Update - Chris has still only played 15 minutes of the game due to the 'flickering lights' in the game).

He said: “This really is what gaming has been waiting for, what it’s been evolving towards for 40 years or so.

This is it, this is “the future” of entertainment.

Sure it will mostly come via games first of all, but there’s already films being made for this, some of which will be shot in 360 degree video, allowing you to look at any part of a scene that you’re watching.

Changing the camera view, not when the director says it should change, but when you move your head or turn to look at a different view of the scene.” Immersion is the word, and while the idea was floating under the radar for some time, over the last year things have really taken off.

Indeed, just a couple of years after securing around $2.5m from a kickstarter campaign Oculus was snapped up by Facebook for a gobsmacking $2bn.

The shift in emphasis should also be welcomed by the many who deride ‘violent’ computer games.

There was already a major change in the gaming landscape thanks to the popularity of Minecraft and Terraria - as games focused on creativity and exploration became more and more popular.

The potential of the Oculus Rift in this environment is staggering However, the potential outwith gaming is even greater.

Chris said: “Education, medicine and science’s plans for using this technology are really exciting.

Surgeons could actually fully effectively be trained and practice in a truly accurate environment with no risk, in much the same way as pilots have used massive simulators to train.” Of course, there will always be issues with systems that veer from the tried and tested screen format.

For one, people like to see when other folk are making faces at them. The Oculus Rift (rather like the helmet in the kids tv show Knightmare) is primed for mockery.

Many people will be wary of such immersion and how it may drag them away from reality.

I know I am loath to use headphones just in case I miss a phone call or doorbell.

These are all minor quibbles though, and thousands will be just as excited about the next step in the computing revolutuion.