This is a video displaying the capabilities of SIMNET which was a multi-user military simulator that went online in 1987. A few interesting quotes from the latter half of the video should have you thinking about the future of virtual reality systems.
“…you’ll be able to create anything, from a synthetic battlefield to a synthetic factory, all using the same core technology.”
“Anything that you can conceive of can be put on a network.”
“…all the way down to the guy bringing lunch out to the troops.