Are Virtual Reality Games the Way Forward?
Virtual and Augmented Reality had a somewhat gimmicky start, but the technology has finally advanced beyond that. Most experts agree on the limitless potential of VR and AR, stimulating all of the senses at once and being used as an educational tool, an entertainment and gaming device and even a next-wave computing platform.
While the visuals with VR games remain quite basic, they have improved dramatically and should continue to do so. In short, Virtual Reality games most certainly are a large part of the future. Why aren’t they all of it, and what are the next advances we can expect?
Exploding Industries
Virtual and Augmented Reality technology has come a long way and gained more respect, but a lot more traction needs to be gained. Parts and systems need to get better, games need to become a lot more detailed and challenging, graphics and sound need to improve and decent headsets need to get a lot more affordable.
All of the things that VR needs to develop are happening, but at a rate that is slower than expected. New developments, such as the Magic Leap which was supposed to be released last year, are often delayed. Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook CEO and a major believer in the power of VR, estimates it will take 5 to 10 years for us to really see what VR can do for the everyday user.
Limited Entertainment Experience
The ultimate goal of VR, of course, is to simulate real-life, authentic experiences, as closely as possible. That’s why industry leaders such as Dell are looking into temperature, smell and other sensations to make even more realistic VR entertainment.
A key component of lifelike games, many people argue, is having enough space to move around in. The confines of a home environment are simply unable to do Virtual Reality justice in the same way that a huge open area would.
While there may well be a place for VR games and other applications in future homes, domestic use will probably never be able to capture the grandeur of really epic games. There are already VR-based theme and gaming parks, and there are likely to be a lot more.
The same headsets could be used in both situations, especially as the technology improves and Sony’s PlayStation VR, Alphabet’s Google Cardboard, Facebook’s Oculus, Daydream View, Samsung Gear and other headsets create better Virtual Realities. A Gamer will have public and home-based VR options, as well as cutting-edge conventional gaming options, at their fingertips. There’s room for them all!
Virtual Reality for Casinos
As with all types of games, research and development into VR casino games is just getting started and will keep improving, and players will have different formats available. Microgaming has released an edition of Roulette, but other than that the main VR casino game efforts have been slots, notably from NetEnt. These involve players being part of the action within the theme of the slot, such as in Gonzo’s Quest, rather than sitting in front of a machine.
The all-immersive VR slots games, however, are not the same as sitting at a Virtual Reality table games. Considering that you don’t need to move around much when you’re playing at a casino table, VR could work well for casino games. There are, of course, live table games already available, but there could be situations where VR is a better choice – like for free games. And there should be more than enough room in your home to simulate moving between tables, which will make things feel even more engaging.
