In many respects, we should be surprised by the emergence of virtual reality over the course of the last 18 months. After all, this is a concept that has been discussed for generations, while significant advancements in technology and the investment made by leading brands such as Facebook and Sony mean that it was always likely to come to fruition at some point in time. Make no mistake that this time is now, however, with 2016 undoubtedly the year that VR will make the leap of faith from fanciful concept to a game-changing example of actionable technology.
The Launch of the HTC Vive will kick-start the Market
Are you compelled by this argument, or do you need some further proof to underline the rise of virtual reality and its arrival in the consumer mainstream? If you belong to the latter, here are three reasons that support the ascension of VR into a practical, mainstream concept. With low and mid-priced options (such as Merge VR, Google Cardboard and Samsung Gear VR) already established in the market, you could be forgiven for thinking that the sector had lost some momentum in the last six months.
While the Microsoft HoloLens and Oculus Rift headsets offer a more unique, exciting and costly proposition, for example, these products remain in the shadows and relatively unknown to the average consumer.
The release of the HTC Vive towards the end of 2016 will provide a kick-start to the market, however, as this exceptional headset is considered to be the future of gaming and will trigger a further response from all rival brands.
The rise of Mobile Gaming is driving demand for VR
From rising tablet gaming revenues to the rising popularity of online roulette and similar titles, there is no doubt that mobile gaming is a seminal factor in the world of gaming. It is also driving the demand for VR, as players look to optimise their mobile gaming experience through the integrated of immersive and digital environments.
There is no doubt that this been a key trigger in recent investments in the market, with Facebook’s acquisition of Oculus Riff undeniably motivated by the brand’s desire to capitalise on the gaming sector. This level of demand will grow further in 2016 making it inevitable that VR will become a mainstream gaming staple.
Developers are creating games specifically for VR Headsets
In the case of the aforementioned HTC Vive, this headset is currently available only to developers as the brand behind the technology make some last minute refinements. This is a crucial trend, however, as it underlines the fact that developers are looking to design and create games specifically to suit the advanced, three-dimensional technology that make VR such a thrilling concept.
The game Everest provides a relevant case in point, as this is being trialled on the HTC Vive while it captures a truly immersive, outdoor experience in all of its realistic glory!
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