How Virtual Reality is Transforming the Gaming Industry
Virtual Reality (VR) is a computer-generated environment with scenes and objects that appear almost real, immersing the users in the gaming setting. VR allows you to experience and feel what it feels like to be inside a huge forest or a space. This environment is achieved through a Virtual Reality headset or helmet device. The user will be positioned in a virtual dimension through computer graphics, AI (artificial intelligence) sensors, and head and body trackers. VRs are widely used for entertainment (mainly for video games), education (medical or military training), and business (virtual meetings or presentations).
Types of VR:
- Non-Immersive
This is often overlooked as a type of VR because this is commonly used by many. A computer-generated technology is provided, but users can stay in control of the physical environment. This mainly relies on a computer/video game console, display, and input like a controller, mouse, and keyboard. A video game is one of the best examples of this VR.
- Semi-Immersive
This type of VR does not use physical movement and is commonly known as the combination of the non-immersive and fully immersive VR types. This is presented using a 3D space or virtual environment where users can move through a computer. It gives users insight into how to be in a different virtual reality but has control over their surroundings. Flight simulator is an example.
- Fully Immersive
Fully immersive VR allows you to immerse in a virtual world with an input like VR glasses or a head mount display (HMD). The user will be present in a simulated world and linked to objects within the programmed space. VR glasses will provide users with a high-resolution display and a wide field of view. This VR type is commonly used for gaming and other entertainment purposes such as education, training, or virtual presentations.
Benefits of VR
One common benefit of VR is letting you interact with a different space and gain a 360-degree view of it. This is an essential aspect to gamers because VR will let them control, feel or sense a whole new game level. Aside from that, is/can also:
- Detailed – Users can get an accurate and sharp view of the game.
- Handy – VR glasses and head mount display are not typically bulky, so you can enable it anytime you want as long as there’s a power source.
- Increased Learning Possibilities – From a medical perspective, a doctor can determine and understand a medicine’s newly discovered attributes/qualities. They can also determine its side effects on a patient.
- Portray Safe Practice/Simulation – VR can contribute to medical training and virtual presentations. A doctor’s surgery, military combat, and a flight can be simulated through VR and detect potentially dangerous results. With this, an accident or a negative impact can be prevented.
- Played in Real-time – Unlike video games, mostly recorded and installed in one system, users can play in real-time in VR. They can go into a different simulated reality or game scene with a single click or tap.
- More than Real – It gives gamers an appealing virtual object – an impression of being inside the game, experiencing every move like it’s real, plus the sound effects adding to the game’s excitement.
- VR Creates Interest – Due to its high-definition graphics and a wide variety of senses, gamers are now more interested in playing games.
Virtual Reality Applications
Aside from gaming, VR can also be applied to the following:
- Healthcare
- Automotive
- Entertainment
- Space and Military
- Education
- Marketing
- Gaming
- Tourism
- Architecture
- Virtual Presentations
There’s no doubt that VR is driving the growth and revolution in the gaming industry. Indeed, there will be countless opportunities in the future for how virtual reality will be widely maximized worldwide.