This is the first forum post I've ever done so sue me if it isn't perfect.

I'm looking for a more realistic gaming experience. To make this short and sweet, I see videos and tutorials of virtual environments that look borderline INSANE. But I have yet to see a platform release or have an interactive game or environment that can be used by the public. I'm more than willing to invest in a platform that will be able to play and process these games. I'm not talking about "The Dive" or some futuristic gaming platform that will revolutionize the gaming industry. Just a photo realistic game that can be interacted with on a detailed level and half decent content. Any suggestions or opinions on how far away we are from achieving this?

Uhh, walk outside?

I can’t tell you when that game you’ve not talked about, or that platform that wasn’t mentioned will exist.

This is usually how a Gamer would find reference for this kinda stuff.

... I’m principally being a dick because of your poorly formed question.
By definition, a ‘game’ removes quite a lot of the realistic expectations from an experience, and to put it simply, because it isn’t ‘fun’.
Getting back to the your question a little more specifically, the ‘photo real’ stuff is happening right now, though you’re still going to need to sit in front of a computer to use it. So there’s no ‘realism’ in that...

If you’re after a great simulation, I can thoroughly recommend Bohemia Interactives ‘Arma’ or ‘Operation Flashpoint’ franchises; I’ve never felt a game more truly recreated the quote “war is 99% boredom, 1% sheer terror” more faithfully.

I’ll leave you with this.
It’s a short film that was made in UE4 There isn’t something like this in a ‘realistic game’ because those terms are generally at odds with each other. That and because people crafting stuff in these engines are artists, and generally, a well formed and executed piece of art is going to be more interesting than pouring hours of effort into making a game ‘realistic’ that lacks any narrative, experience, or story to drive it.

division 2

amazing looking game based in post-apocalyptic washington. with a decent pc & all the settings on max it looks very realistic. people's faces still look frozen & cold... but the environments look superb.

Escape from Tarkov.

Hit up twitch and check it out. Or YouTube.

It's probably one of the most Hardcore realistic shooters out there atm. It also doubles as a looter shooter along with RPG elements.
It can be brutal on new players though, as you lose everything you've taken, or found, in each 'raid'.

Though, if you're looking for a realistic single player experience it probably isn't what you're after. Division 2 is good but i wouldn't call it realistic. It sure looks nice though.

Red Dead Redemption 2 with the HUD removed will give you a 'realistic'-esque gaming experience and if you have a 4K TV that supports HDR, Xbox One is the platform of choice as it runs natively at 4K and has the largest, seamless open-world of this generation (ie no load times from one end of the map to the other)

I'm more than willing to invest in a platform that will be able to play and process these games.

I am working on a title right now. Let me put you in touch with my finance people. If you can just send them your details (givemeyourmoney69@gmail.com) that would be great.