By now, you’ve heard that virtual reality (VR) is changing gaming (and many other industries). But what about it’s lesser known counterpart, augmented reality (AR)? We don’t hear as much about AR as we do VR, but its certainly set to move the needles of innovation, particularly in gaming.
Let’s explore how.
What is Augmented Reality?
The gaming industry is currently experiencing a transformative shift with the incoming advances in AR. Unlike VR, which immerses users in a completely digital experiences, AR overlays reality with digital elements. And that’s the key differentiator between the two.
AR enhances our reality by adding layers of digital content over the top of it.
Like this.
And this…
Sure, the second example is a major motion picture, but it gets the point across. You toss on some AR capable glasses and you have the potential to add in digital content to your world.
AR is offering gamers an unprecedented level of interaction and immersion, turning every day environments into incredible gaming experiences. Imagine the potential here. Your living room now a stomping ground for zombies.
AR isn’t just changing gaming, it’s’ changing the game.
Here’s some examples of how.
Enhanced Real-World Interactions
AR has the capability to utilize real-world locations for immersive gaming experiences. To this point, there’s no ceiling to the type of games we may see. Valeo, a French automotive tech company, is already on the case with their Valeo Racer game that allows passengers in a vehicle to race the surrounding cars. Yeah, long gone is the license plate game.
This potential goes on and on, honestly. This can mean solving mysteries at your local pub or staving off boredom at an airport while locating digital creatures.
Of course, these enhanced interactions can include adult dating scenarios.
Immersive Storytelling
AR can create immersive narratives by integrating story elements into a real-world environment.
No longer are your surrounds mere reality, now there’s an overlaying, overarching story that compels and excites as you move through your day.
Gaming is all about immersion and the story that games tell is a critical factor in inducing a state of immersion.
Social, Collaborative Play
Games that allow players to interact with one another and the environment simultaneously will be huge.
AR can help foster community engagement and collaboration among players. You’ll be able to create new digital worlds out of a local environment alongside people in your community.
Fitness
If there’s one looming criticism of gaming, its the sedentary nature of the experience. But AR can help change all of that by incouranging physical activity and blending that with entertainment. In other words, people will move because its part of the game and they’ll have fun doing it.
There’s games such as Zombies, Run! and The Walking Dead: Our World, which encourage movement as a part of the strategy. Their not really fitness games, but they accomplish the same thing.
Virtual Pets
AR has evolved the concept of virtual pets, making them much more interactive and lifelike.
I mean…
Sports
Sports games are some of the biggest on the market, so its no surprise that AR sports games have massive potential. Technological advances will allow people to turn their backyards into a ball field and with no risk of breaking grandma’s windows, for once.
Augmented reality is changing the game, literally, as new technology advances.