Virtual reality (VR) has been a concept for longer than people think. Although it’s existed for much longer, generally, the concept of VR was first truly acknowledged in the late 1960s, when American computer scientist Ivan Sutherland created the first head-mounted augmented reality display. Later in the 1980s and 1990s, Sega and Nintendo developed VR gaming systems, but they never really took off.
Only in the 2010s did VR start to gain major recognition, thanks to the introduction of high-tech headsets that harness motion tracking technology and powerful graphics. Now, companies like Apple and Meta are helping to drive the popularity of VR technology with their headsets, and gaming companies are calling upon VR to help them meet the demand for more immersive experiences. Below is a look at VR developers and designers’ approach to the gaming industry, how VR technology has improved and what the future holds for VR technology.
Approaching the gaming industry
When approaching gaming, VR designers and developers take into consideration, starting with understanding who their audience is, and whereas traditional gaming takes place within the confines of the screen, VR gaming forces creators in the VR space to think about movement and also to consider interaction. They must also consider the audiovisual experience and storytelling.
The entertainment of VR
Designers and developers’ careful consideration of how they approach VR gaming has helped VR to become hugely entertaining for a wide variety of reasons.
Perhaps the number one reason for the entertainment value is the high level of immersion and interaction they offer. Players can step into a virtualized world that feels real, just by slipping on a headset, and enjoy higher levels of interaction than they would with a traditional game. This is something service operators in the online casino gaming industry have understood and, as a result, they implement the latest technologies, including VR and augmented reality (AR), to recreate traditional casino gaming experiences as closely as possible.
Another factor is the diverse and inclusive nature of VR gaming. People of all ages, interests and backgrounds can come together and, through shared experiences, build strong(er) relationships.
The unique selling points of VR
VR’s main unique selling point is that VR itself is unique and offers unparalleled immersion in the gaming experience. In a world that bombards players with content, players can focus completely on the gaming without distractions.
VR is also a way for people to increase their levels of physical activity. The rise in VR titles has made it much easier for people to get in a workout each day. Users can choose between boxing workouts, dancing, yoga or other forms of exercise in some games and even set them to their favorite music. Fitness coaches lead these workouts.
Improvement in VR technology
VR was a thrilling development when it first came out, but as the VR world innovates, the technology has gotten even more exciting. Here are some innovations that have improved VR technology in recent years:
- Wireless VR headsets: Wireless VR headsets have become widespread and boosted the enjoyment of VR gaming. Players have greater freedom of movement, thanks to the absence of cables.
- Haptic feedback: Haptic feedback adds texture and touch to virtual objects. This makes the objects and the game feel more real.
- Eye tracking: Eye tracking allows players to navigate the game more naturally. They can reduce motion sickness and feel more present in the virtual worlds.
- Artificial intelligence (AI): AI algorithms are creating realistic non-playable characters in VR gaming.
The future of VR technology
VR technology is growing faster and faster, and the future is likely to see lots of developments. The arrival of AI has been a major development, and not only does it create non-playable characters, but, just as it’s used in the casino gaming world, it will be implemented to understand players’ preferences and personalize gaming to suit them. Incidentally, the characters themselves will become even more realistic and display more realistic behaviors and interactions in the future.
Headsets, which have already come a long way, look likely to improve even further. VR will see new models arrive that have better ergonomics, higher resolution and improved tracking capabilities. The headsets of Sony PlayStation VR gaming are one example of what could be the headsets of the future.
Ultimately, VR gaming will become even more engaging, and VR technology will extend into sectors outside of gaming and help to create more intuitive and user-friendly interfaces. VR technology will create new possibilities inside and outside of gaming.
VR technology has seen lots of innovations and is sure to see many more. Tech and VR designers and developers are working together better than ever, which is a plus for anyone who enjoys VR gaming already or enjoys traditional gaming but is looking for something different.