Gaming, an ever popular pastime, has had people glued to their screens engaging in captivating stories and challenging tasks. Whether it’s your phone, console or computer, gaming has been with us for decades. The objective of gaming is to entertain, educate and as contest or even to gain an adrenaline rush. Technology has been in the mainstay of gaming since its beginnings, providing immersive and realistic experiences. As technology has advanced so has gaming, with advances in virtual and augmented reality (VR/AR).
In this article, we will explore how gaming has evolved, the current technological advances and how we could see gaming progress further in the future.
A brief history of gaming
Gaming has come a long way since its birth in 1962 with the release of Spacewar! on the DEC PDP-1 computer. Games soon moved to consoles and hand-held devices where they quickly grew in popularity among all age groups and genders. Eventually, the bloom of the internet saw the development of massive online games like World of Warcraft and Everquest. In recent years, demand for mobile gaming has seen a rise, with the smoother transition to more powerful devices, more realistic graphics and more immersive experiences.
What is virtual reality and augmented reality?
VR and AR are computer based systems that create and enhance user interactivity with the game. Rather than simply manipulating a character on a 2D plane on a gaming device, users with VR/AR enabled systems can “immerse themselves” into the game by wearing a headset or carrying an AR device. Once connected to the system, these devices allow user to see realistic 3-D graphics that correspond to their movements, allowing for a greater sense of engagement, control and “presence”.
The potential of virtual reality and augmented reality
The potential for virtual and augmented reality is enormous. The technology is expanding in terms of the range of games and experiences that are possible. For example, some VR/AR systems are now allowing for simple conversations with artificial intelligent characters, project 3-D worlds around you, photorealistic gaming worlds and even ultra high resolution displays. In terms of gaming, some of the most exciting applications are now possible, including online multiplayer games, full body motion tracking, voice and gesture recognition and realistic combat simulation.
Advantages of virtual reality and augmented reality
There are many advantages to virtual and augmented reality. Firstly, these systems can create a more immersive gaming experience. With 3-D graphics, real-time motion tracking and more realistic environments, players can now immerse themselves in the game like never before. This can help to create a more engaging gaming experience.
In addition, VR and AR can also improve the speed and accuracy of gameplay. For example, with VR, gamers can now make use of accurate physical sensors to track their movement and position. This can allow for greater precision and accuracy in the control of the character, leading to faster and smoother gameplay.
Another advantage of virtual and augmented reality is improved communication in online gaming. With the ability to create 3-D avatars and interact with simulated 3-D worlds, players can now communicate more effectively and enjoy a greater sense of “presence” in their gaming experience.
The rise of mobile gaming
Mobile gaming is on the rise due to the advancements in mobile device technology. Mobile gaming is attractive because players can enjoy their favorite games anywhere and anytime, without being limited to their home console or PC. This means that the user can move around, access the game whenever they want, and the games themselves are usually cheaper than their console counterparts.
Mobile gaming also offers some advantages over console gaming, such as being able to connect to the internet without needing a console or PC. This also allows for easier access to other players and for sharing of scores and achievements. In addition, with the faster processing power of modern devices, mobile games can now offer more realistic graphics and more complex game mechanics than ever before.
Future of virtual and augmented reality in gaming
The future of virtual and augmented reality in gaming looks especially promising. This year, Sony will be releasing its PlayStation VR headset, while the Oculus Rift and HTC Vive already offer amazing experiences. These advanced systems offer a more realistic and immersive gaming experience, and have the potential to revolutionize the industry. Moreover, in the next few years, a growing number of motion tracking, voice recognition and gesture recognition systems will be released, allowing gamers to interact with their games on a much deeper level.
In addition, the increasing power of mobile technology could see the development of compact virtual and augmented reality devices that are tailored for mobile gaming. These devices could offer an even greater level of immersion and convenience for gamers, allowing for wireless gaming with realistic 3-D visuals.
The progress of gaming in recent years has been rapid and exciting. Advances in virtual and augmented reality have allowed for more immersive and realistic gaming experiences, and this progress looks set to continue with the release of more powerful devices and more sophisticated technologies. In the future, gaming with virtual and augmented reality may become the new norm, and the boundaries of what is possible look set to be pushed even further.
