The future of gaming and Augmented/ Virtual Reality- By Julia Baldini

First, let me point out there’s always more to learn on this subject. Especially since the future isn’t here yet and the majority of what we see is speculation on what could happen. The following is my prediction based on trends of technology, personal experience talking with business professionals about the implementation thereof, and a deep-seated love of gaming. Now. Let’s dive in.

THE TECHNOLOGY You’ve seen the Oculus Rift. Did you know they were making a Batcave experience with Warner Brothers with it? In an interview with Eurogamer.net the following was said.

"We are continuously exploring new and exciting ways to tell stories and share experiences with audiences around the globe, and we're excited to be working with Otoy on this cutting-edge adaptation from Batman: The Animated Series," - Warner Bros. Animation boss Sam Register (Link to article here http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2014-10-08-virtual-reality-batcave-headed-to-oculus-rift)

What really stuck out about this quote is, ‘new and exciting ways to tell stories.’ That’s what all of these new technologies are really focusing on, telling stories and getting you - the gamer – involved.

So the Oculus Rift is one of the pioneering techs. See below a good video demonstration of the next generation, the Development Kit 2 (DK2). (embedded video of demo)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OlXrjTh7vHc

You saw the gamers as they were beta testing the system.

This is a semi-immersion technology. Meaning, the gamers are controlling their characters with joysticks still, even though the visuals are more interactive. I bring this up because the Oculus has been getting so much media attention, you might have missed the other technology that has the potential to ‘rock the boat’ as it were.

For example, full-immersion, and then low-immersion – which is closer to Augmented Reality (AR) than to Virtual Reality (VR).

Let’s define these real quick.

Full-Immersion VR: You enter the technology and are met with sounds, sight and touch in full interaction. You move to move your character. Current examples: Virtuix Omni Demo:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aTtfAQEeAJI ------->

Semi-Immersion VR: You enter the technology by immersion of one sensory experience, rather than all. Current examples: Oculus

Low-Immersion VR: The best way I can describe this is games on the Google Glass. THE APPLICATION So, here’s a quick look down the road at some of the applications of this technology, and what we might be able to expect. The best way I can do this is to describe how the game might be played. Augmented Experience

You put on a clear set of glasses and click the “on” button. There are NPC’s on the corner of the street, and you get your quest from them.

Strategically placed and integrated with the geography around you. This is a local game developers dream. Or at the very least, it’s an acquisition target for a bigger gamer who wants to integrate your local map into their bigger world.

Other Applications: Real world platform RPG for parkour runners, tactical training, gamification of everyday experiences. Semi Immersion Experience

We’re already seeing this in the Oculus. The specs are going to get better, you’ll have add-ons that will help you to experience the game more fully.

Do you remember the N64 Rumble packs? Popping those suckers in the controller would help to tell you through tactile sensory what you were experiencing visually. Primarily, you falling and, ultimately, dying.

You’ll also see various extensions of XBOX and PS start to develop in a similar manner, or – they’ll pivot their motion detection systems with the VR extension. Voila! Better in-home gaming.

Other Applications: The “experience” rides at theme parks and Dave&Busters. Full Immersion Experience

Now we get to the fun part. Imagine this… You walk into a room that looks like something out of the Matrix (Don’t know what the Matrix is? Look it up and watch it! Along with Star Wars and Dr.Who. You can thank me later.) You’re asked to put on a body suit and goggles that looks like you’re about to go skydiving, blank screens surround you as you step onto a platform like the Virtuix Omni. The lights go off. The screens light up with your “world” and the suit is replaced with your outfit.

You would have full sensory experiences with this. Like an IMAX for gaming. Another approach would be like the anime, Sword Art Online, where you hook yourself into a cloud-based system via your subconscious. Because it’s the subconscious you’re able to move, feel, speak, etc. like you would in a dream, except it’s lucid and you’re interacting with others in real-time. THE CONCLUSION Full immersion and augmented experiences like the ones described are probably at least another 5 years out. Whereas, the semi-immersion experience is much closer to being implemented.

The applications are limitless, and it something like YouTube – where you can become famous on a local level for developing an experience people recognize, like their hometown.

As stated before, there’s always more to learn. I would recommend starting with Robert Rice’s work. He’s a personal connection and the one who introduced me to the ideas behind, and possibilities of AR/VR. Do you think AR/VR is right around the corner? Why/Why not? Connect with us and let us know!

#julia #tech #oculus #technews #technology #technologynews