Virtual reality is the next significant advancement in immersive technologies. In recent years, the interest of developers in virtual reality has increased. And now, it’s time to explore some of the ways that developers are making it happen.
What is Virtual Reality?
Virtual reality is a computer-generated simulation of a three-dimensional environment or situation that can be interacted with in a seemingly real or physical way by a person using special electronic equipment, such as goggles or gloves with sensors that track hand motions and other body movements.
There are many different types of VR systems available today, from products for gaming and movies to educational tools for science and medicine. Even an app called MakeVR lets users design their 3D objects for use in games and commercial projects.
Virtual Reality in Gaming
In the gaming industry, VR is changing the landscape. The market size for VR games is expected to grow from $950 million in 2016 to $3.8 billion by 2020!
Early game developers are using virtual reality to create games that are so immersive you could feel like you’re actually inside the game itself.
For example, there’s a soccer simulation game where you play on the field and use your body movements to control your player. You can also try out a 360-degree underwater scuba diving experience that lets you see what it would be like to be submerged.
Virtual reality has a lot of potential in other gaming applications, too, such as bringing video games into real life without the need for screens or projections.
Virtual Reality in Movies
One of the most exciting developments in VR is how filmmakers use it to produce movies. For example, a VR movie by Felix & Paul Studios, “Invasion!” gives viewers a virtual front-row seat to a 3D rendering of the world and can be seen on YouTube or through Google Cardboard.
Movies like “KinoVR” take things even further by giving viewers the ability to control their viewing angle in real-time.
And then there are virtual reality documentaries that give viewers an immersive experience that makes them feel like they’re there. For example, filmmakers have been able to take viewers on an immersive journey into places like Syria and Chernobyl, making them feel as if they’re experiencing news events firsthand.
Virtual reality documentaries are being used for both journalism and storytelling purposes, but filmmakers say that their potential will be fully realized with the additional innovation in camera technology.
For now, these types of documentaries have largely been sponsored by organizations with specific agendas or promoting certain causes. But one day, it could become more mainstream as a storytelling medium for all types of content creators–and this will change how we watch movies forever.
VR in Other Industries
Virtual reality is being used in a variety of industries and can transform how we live our lives. One of the most recent applications for VR is in the medical field. With VR, doctors can create 3D models of a patient’s teeth, bones, or organs and use them to plan surgeries before ever cutting into the patient. This provides an affordable, alternative option to traditional methods for doctors who cannot practice on cadavers.
VR also has many other uses outside of medicine. For example, VR can be used for education, training simulations, or even just as a fun activity. Studies show that people who use virtual reality systems in these ways retain more information than those who do not have exposure to these tools. In addition, companies like Boeing are now using virtual reality to train their employees in dealing with emergencies aboard aircraft and conducting repairs safely and efficiently.
The possibilities VR offers are endless, and new applications are being discovered every day as more developers get involved with creating immersive technologies.
Conclusion
Virtual reality is an up-and-coming technology with limitless potential. It is currently being used in industries such as games, movies, and medicine with great advances. With the release of new VR headsets, we are entering a new era of transformative technologies.
It’s time for marketers to think about how VR will change how we create content and interact with customers.
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