[GingasVR] has developed a mod for Fallout 4 VR that turns in-game events into real-world heat and wind effects. The system, which controls TP-Link HS100 or HS110 smart plugs through the game’s scripts, uses a fan for wind and a 250-watt infrared lamp directed at the player for heat.
While sunny weather provides mild warmth, explosions produce brief bursts of intense heat, and fire and radiation create location-dependent temperature changes. The mod does not overwrite game files and does not require modifications to the hardware used.
Why it matters
This mod expands an experience built solely through visuals and sound in virtual reality with physical environmental effects that respond to in-game situations. As a result, interaction for Fallout 4 VR players extends beyond the headset and controllers, while the smart plug, fan and lamp components used determine how the experience will be set up. The fact that it does not overwrite game files or require hardware modifications sets it apart for users who want to build the setup around existing equipment; however, the system still depends on the availability of suitable physical devices. What remains unclear is the extent to which these heat and wind responses will provide a consistent and comfortable experience across different game scenes; the report does not provide details on the limits of this use.