What is VR training: Beyond the Headset
When most people think of virtual reality, they picture sleek headsets, motion controllers, and futuristic environments. But what if VR wasn’t about the gear at all? What if the true power of VR lies not in the hardware, but in the psychological state it creates?
At Many Worlds, we believe that defining Virtual Reality goes far beyond wearing a headset to play games (which is quite a narrow view that misses VR’s profound impact). VR is more than technology; it’s a gateway to immersive experiences that affect how people think, feel, and behave. Understanding this distinction is essential for anyone exploring VR training for their organisation.
VR is a psychological state, not just technology
Technically speaking, VR refers to any experience that creates a strong sense of presence in an environment that isn’t physically real. While modern headsets certainly deliver this through visual and spatial immersion, research shows that immersion can be achieved through various mediums, not just expensive technology.
What sets VR apart is not just the headset or the simulated environment, but the sense of presence or the feeling of truly “being there.” This immersive quality can happen with or without a VR headset, whether in an elaborate virtual world or a simple screen-based environment.
Presence arises from creating spaces where people respond naturally to their surroundings, much as they would in the physical world. When learners can interact spontaneously and authentically within these virtual spaces, they’re no longer just observers, they’re participants, fully engaged.
The science of presence: why “being there” matters
The reason presence matters for training comes down to how our brains learn. When we feel genuinely present in an experience, we process it differently than when we’re passively watching or reading. The emotional engagement, the need to respond in real-time, the physical sensation of being somewhere. All of these activate deeper learning pathways.
Research from PwC found that VR learners were 275% more confident to apply skills after training, and 3.75 times more emotionally connected to the content than classroom learners. This isn’t because of the headset itself, it’s because of the presence the experience created.
In professional development, this sense of presence allows learners to experience scenarios in real-time, as though they’re facing actual situations. This enables deeper skill development and genuine behavioural change. VR becomes an invaluable tool, facilitating breakthroughs and providing a safe yet powerful space to confront and practice complex interpersonal challenges.
Bridging reality and potential: the virtuality concept
To understand VR’s power, consider a simple thought experiment Jean Baudrillard and other philosophers on virtuality have explored.
Imagine you’re looking at a tree. In real life, this tree is part of our actual, tangible reality: you can reach out, touch its bark, and hear its leaves rustling. This is actuality, where we engage with things directly, in the present.
Now, close your eyes and imagine that same tree. Though you’re not touching it, the memory and potential of that tree still exist within you. This is virtuality: it exists in your mind, ready to be perceived but not physically present.
In VR training, we use this concept of virtuality to bring dormant experiences to life, blending what is real with what is possible. Through carefully crafted simulations, VR combines the real (our tangible world) with the potential (what our minds can imagine or anticipate).
This combination lets us create safe, immersive spaces where professionals can explore, practice, and grow. For example, VR can help someone practice a difficult conversation with an upset client, rehearse a high-stakes presentation, or navigate a crisis scenario. All in a controlled, supportive setting where the real world and the simulated world meet to facilitate learning.
You don’t need a headset to experience immersion
Here’s what surprises most people: hardware makes immersion easier, but it isn’t essential.
Books, films, guided exercises, and even well-structured conversations can all elicit a similar cognitive response to high-end VR systems. In fact, narrative immersion and mental visualisation are used across many professional development contexts:
- Guided scenario planning for leadership development
- Mental rehearsal techniques used by athletes and executives
- Role-play exercises that create emotional engagement (when done well)
- Simulation-based learning on desktop and mobile platforms
These are forms of immersive experience in their own right. They just use imagination or simpler technology as the interface.
There’s no doubt that headsets help. They reduce the mental effort needed to imagine a scene by presenting it directly to the senses. That’s incredibly useful for training and behavioural change. But the underlying goal remains the same: to immerse someone in an experience that shifts how they feel, think, or act.
In many cases, this immersive shift can be achieved without expensive hardware, as long as the content and framing are well-designed.
Why this matters for training and development
If VR is defined by immersion rather than hardware, it becomes more accessible than ever. This opens doors for:
- Organisations with limited tech budgets can offer immersive training on everyday devices such as smartphones, tablets, or standard laptops
- Trainers and facilitators can blend immersive techniques with existing programmes
- Enterprises can deliver flexible training experiences that adapt to their workforce without requiring headsets for every employee
The accessibility angle matters enormously. Many organisations assume VR training requires R10,000+ headsets for every participant. In reality, presence-first design can deliver meaningful immersive experiences across a range of platforms and price points.
The real question isn’t “do we have VR headsets?” but rather “are we creating experiences where people feel present, engaged, and able to practice authentically?”
How Many Worlds creates presence-first experiences
At Many Worlds, we’re committed to creating environments that foster genuine presence, blending technical sophistication with deep understanding of how people learn and change.
We don’t sell generic training apps. We craft bespoke immersive environments that are adaptable, platform-agnostic, and rooted in cognitive science. Whether it’s a VR headset experience, a desktop application, or a mobile simulation, our work is designed to help professionals practice what matters: safely, accessibly, and effectively.
Our approach combines:
- Immersive environments that create authentic presence
- AI-powered characters that respond naturally to what learners say and do
- Real-time analytics that track progress and reveal patterns
- Platform flexibility so organisations can start where they are
Whether you’re developing leaders, training for crisis communication, or helping professionals master difficult conversations, we believe presence is the secret ingredient. And it doesn’t have to come with a headset attached.
Ready to experience presence-first training?
If you’re exploring how VR and immersive technology can support your organisation’s training and development goals, we’d love to show you what’s possible.
Watch our demos to see presence-based learning in action, or get in touch to discuss how Many Worlds can support your team’s growth.
