The first VR headset was so heavy that it had to hang from the ceiling. It was called “The Sword of Damocles”, and despite its clumsiness, it was a groundbreaking invention back in 1968. The first commercially viable VR device would hit the shelves about 20 years later, but it was still quite expensive. Besides, there weren’t many games written for it at the moment.
Now, everything is different. Several tech companies weigh in on what appears to be the next trend in the gaming industry: VR and AR headsets. Have a look at the future of iGaming in this article.
Behind the Glass
The demand for VR and AR headsets increase, and so does the supply. Because tech giants like Google and Microsoft are disrupting this market, prices decrease. Also, more flagship models are on the shelf, aiming to please the most demanding clients.
The best consoles and the best online casinos, such as the platform casino.netbet.co.uk, offer VR and AR games. Yet, what’s the difference between them? Here’s a short explanation.
Augmented Reality (AR)
AR games don’t necessarily require a specific headset. A smartphone camera can do the trick just fine. Do you remember the game Pokemon Go, which had people chasing Pokemon characters around the town? That’s classic AR. AR games interact with your surroundings instead of creating a new scenario.
Virtual Reality (VR)
VR games require a headset and are much more immersive than VR games. Here, the player’s sight is entirely taken by the screen inside the headset. Video games have been using VR glasses for a while, but only recently has the gadget gained momentum.
Expanded Reality (XR)
XR glasses are the latest word in gaming immersion. It brings together the technologies of AR, VR, and MR (Mixed Reality) into a single experience. They look more like actual glasses than VR headsets, and every piece of information is displayed on its lenses.
Newborn Realities
Although AR glasses have been around since 2011, the first AR online casino was created only last year. Gamblers can enjoy engaging versions of roulette, slots, blackjack, etc. AR games tend to popularise faster than VR or XR because they don’t need a headset.
Still, we must be realistic. This technology has indeed taken considerable strides since its creation. Yet, it’s nowhere near the sci-fi utopias Hollywood has fed us. Botched mechanics and downright bizarre glitches, like headless bodies walking around floating heads, are still too common.
Eyes in the Future
Online casino fans can expect more immersive games in the next few years. After all, the XR market, which includes VR and AR, is expected to cross the USD 125 billion mark by 2026. The beauty of those technologies is that they can be used for instant and live dealer games.
Glitches and faulty graphics will be improved with time as more games hit the market and more tech companies get dedicated teams for the task. VR glasses don’t have to cost an arm and a leg, either. Google has even launched a cardboard headset, which users can assemble at home. On the other hand, XR glasses are the spearhead of immersive gaming, uniting virtual reality, and augmented reality.