(Photo: Shutterstock)
We’ve seen massive developments in both virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) entertainment over the past year, none more so than in the gaming industry which seems to be leading the progression in multiple areas. Since its release back in July, Pokémon Go (you might have heard of it) has spread like wildfire across the globe and has recently announced some interesting updates on their way.
New headset devices like the Oculus Rift and HTC Vive allow gamers to pilot a spaceship around planet Earth or explore the ruins of a deserted castle. The way people play casino games online has also evolved, and there is an ever-growing list of VR casinos claiming to offer a more authentic experience than ever before.
(Photo: Shutterstock) A wild 'Drowzee' appears on Pokemon Go – a prime example of augmented reality gaming at work
First-Person Shooters
We've come a long way since videos games like Doom and Time Crisis opened the door to the first-person-shooter experience. Since then, our fascination for weapon-based combat has gradually evolved into a billion-dollar business and a cornerstone of the gaming industry.
Considering the very nature of the genre, it’s no surprise to learn that the next generation of first-person shooters is a key focus for virtual reality developers. Games like Hover Junkies and Raw Data are among the most hotly anticipated VR releases of 2016. They look super slick and allow players to complete missions in immersive 3D environments, some even with multiplayer functionality.
The prospect of joining virtual forces with your best friend to fight off bad guys with a flamethrower is an exciting one, but certainly not for the faint-hearted.
Massively Multiplayer Online Games (MMOs)
Another huge market in the gaming industry, the potential for virtual reality MMOs has got fans of World of Warcraft and RuneScape licking their lips. Imagine a virtual world so vast that you are able to fully interact with thousands, or potentially millions, of other gamers from around the world.
As head-mounted displays and the definition of A/V inputs continues to become more sophisticated, MMOs have the potential to be among the most immersive and long-lasting experiences of all virtual reality games. You may never leave the house again.
iGaming
The iGaming industry has gained massive popularity since it first became a thing in the early 2000s and, in terms of market size, is now estimated to be worth just over CAD 60 billion per year. Many of the businesses operating within the industry have spent the past decade trying to perfect authentic casino experiences by allowing players to take part in live dealer games from the comfort of their own home.
However, virtual reality technology blows our existing idea of immersion off its hinges. Several VR casino games in development offer players their own bespoke avatar that mirrors precise head and body movements. This means that people will be able to step onto the casino floor for themselves, order a cocktail, walk over to a table and interact with a live dealer and other players like never before.
Websites like CasinoQuest are among those that are championing the advent of greater realism in online casino gaming in a bid to find A2Zcasinos.org. It will be interesting to see how quickly VR casino games begin to gain widespread popularity, but it seems like a question of 'when' rather than 'if'.
(Photo: Shutterstock) Virtual reality developers are now creating authentic casino gambling experiences
What's Next for Virtual Reality?
It’s safe to say that in the case of virtual reality, the future is upon us. We will continue to see huge developments in technology over the coming years, especially in the gaming industry as developers look to craft the perfect immersive gaming experience.
The exact form and structure of these games remains to be seen, which is also what makes the development of virtual reality so exciting. As the popularity of VR and AR gaming systems grows, there is no doubt that more developers will cotton on to the idea (and profitability) of creating virtual experiences that cater to every taste.
Without the confines of computer screens, our imagination is the limit.