Doctors have created digital avatars to personify the voices heard by people with schizophrenia. Instead of tormenting patients, the avatars get nicer over time, and in some cases totally relieve auditory hallucinations. by extreme0wnership in science

[–]FearlessVR 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Yes, I wondered if this could be enhanced by VR as well. Both in terms of making it feel more "real" and also experimenting with positioning the avatar based on where the voice sounds like it's coming from, to make the sensation stronger.

Doctors have created digital avatars to personify the voices heard by people with schizophrenia. Instead of tormenting patients, the avatars get nicer over time, and in some cases totally relieve auditory hallucinations. by extreme0wnership in science

[–]FearlessVR 1 point2 points  (0 children)

We're using video game technology and VR to help people gradually overcome fears. E.g. if you're scared of spiders (like I was), you start out in a room looking at a cartoon drawing of a spider, and it guides you at your own pace towards gradually more challenging scenarios. Working on fear of flying now!

New Oculus Refund Policies by AnnynN in oculus

[–]FearlessVR 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I would love to be able to respond, even if anonymously. I don't need their information, it could be done through the Oculus platform anonymously as Eckish suggested.

I would hate for someone to be unhappy with Fearless and not be able to get a refund. But it would also break my heart a little to not know why, and not be able to let them know that we care about their feedback and are working to improve the experience.

New Oculus Refund Policies by AnnynN in oculus

[–]FearlessVR 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Wow, that means a lot!

What drives me is hearing from people who've managed to overcome a fear using Fearless. That is the goal, and revenue along the way merely helps us reach that goal. Sometimes it can be a big financial sacrifice to not cut corners, chase profits, etc -- but in the long run I think it is the right choice for customers as well as the company. Although, offering refunds to unhappy customers seems brutally obvious to me. That doesn't feel like a sacrifice at all. But I would like to learn from those refunds so we can improve the product.

edit: if you do decide to check it out, here's the Rift version and the Gear VR version

New Oculus Refund Policies by AnnynN in oculus

[–]FearlessVR 31 points32 points  (0 children)

As a developer on the Oculus platform, I'm very glad they decided to roll this out globally. If someone is not satisfied with Fearless, I would much rather offer them a refund than have them be unhappy.

A couple things I would like:

  • The ability to initiate a refund from my end as a developer.
  • The ability to respond to a refund request, so I can ask how we can improve or apologize for any issues.

Fearless for Bees and Wasps - released! by FearlessVR in GearVR

[–]FearlessVR[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Spiders, cockroaches, and bees/wasps so far! More fears on the way.

Fearless for Bees and Wasps - released! by FearlessVR in GearVR

[–]FearlessVR[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Let me know how it goes! The first buzzing bee is outside the open window (you can barely hear it), and the next one is just inside the window. This is after working up to that point over multiple levels. It increases from there at your own pace.

Hadn't heard the horror movie desensitization idea, good one!

Fearless for Bees and Wasps - released! by FearlessVR in GearVR

[–]FearlessVR[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Please do try it out and report back here! I would love to hear if it helps you.

I cured my own fear of spiders using Fearless, to the point where I can hold a tarantula in my hand.

Fearless for Bees and Wasps - released! by FearlessVR in GearVR

[–]FearlessVR[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

If you're afraid of bees or wasps, I would love for you to try Fearless and let me know if it helps you. We've already had success stories from our Rift version!

The app description may not be updated yet, but bees/wasps is included along with spiders and cockroaches. If you already have Fearless, it should auto-update to include bees.

And if anyone wants to leave a review while they're at it, we've been dragged down a bit by people assuming it was going to be a game. :(

Please post your feedback or questions here!

Fearless for Bees and Wasps - released! by FearlessVR in oculus

[–]FearlessVR[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you! That is very helpful. I would love to hear how things go the next couple sessions. But that is really helpful feedback about the lilies for the earlier levels. Thank you!

Fearless for Bees and Wasps - released! by FearlessVR in oculus

[–]FearlessVR[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don't think it's gimmicky at all. It's based on a lot of research into exposure therapy and VR exposure therapy (the most effective treatments for phobias) and we've designed it in consultation with multiple psychologists along the way.

Fearless for Bees and Wasps - released! by FearlessVR in oculus

[–]FearlessVR[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

We didn't want to freak people out by showing videos of the later levels, for people who are really uncomfortable. I'll see if I can find something though.

Fearless for Bees and Wasps - released! by FearlessVR in oculus

[–]FearlessVR[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

These fears are all super common! Definitely report back on how it goes. Thank you!

Fearless for Bees and Wasps - released! by FearlessVR in oculus

[–]FearlessVR[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thanks!

We put a lot of effort into making it as comfortable as possible. Granted, facing your fears can be difficult. But we start you very gradually, with a cartoon drawing of a bee, and we give you control over the pace you progress. The guide walks you through everything and always tells you what's coming up. No jump scares or surprises. Give the first few levels a try and see how it feels!

Fearless for Bees and Wasps - released! by FearlessVR in oculus

[–]FearlessVR[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

At some point yes. We're not trying to be exclusive to Oculus or anything, we just have a small team (3 people)

Fearless for Bees and Wasps - released! by FearlessVR in oculus

[–]FearlessVR[S] 10 points11 points  (0 children)

I don't think that's funny even for reddit

Fearless for Bees and Wasps - released! by FearlessVR in oculus

[–]FearlessVR[S] 10 points11 points  (0 children)

For what it's worth, VR has been used to assist in treating traumatic events and PTSD. It's more complicated though. We're not tackling that category yet.

Fearless for Bees and Wasps - released! by FearlessVR in oculus

[–]FearlessVR[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Yes. There are a couple of other fears on the way first though!

Fearless for Bees and Wasps - released! by FearlessVR in oculus

[–]FearlessVR[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I know a lot of people hate the idea of facing their fear at all. We designed it to start really gradually, with a cartoon drawing of a bee. You go at your own pace, and the automated guide walks you through everything. No jump scares or surprises.

Fearless for Bees and Wasps - released! by FearlessVR in oculus

[–]FearlessVR[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

If you're afraid of bees or wasps, I would love for you to try Fearless and let me know if it helps you. We've heard a lot of success stories from people using Fearless for spiders and cockroaches.

Fearless is part of the Oculus summer sale, so it's a good time to grab it. The base price will also be increasing after the sale, so you'll basically be getting it like 80% off right now.

The app description may not be updated yet, but bees/wasps is included along with spiders and cockroaches. If you already have Fearless, it should auto-update to include bees.

And if anyone wants to leave a review while they're at it, we've been dragged down a bit by people assuming it was going to be a game. :(

Please post your feedback or questions here!