VR Gaming: How the Online Gambling Industry is Adapting
With every passing year, our technology becomes better and better. Digital tech has seen massive advancements in the past 20 years. We went from brick-sized mobile phones to slick, thin, compact pocket computers that make our lives much more manageable.
Of course, the development of technology does not only serve to make everyday tasks easier. It also has led to incredible strides in the entertainment world. For example, iGaming was only possible with the developments in digital tech.
What is iGaming?
Long-time gamblers will be familiar with the term “iGaming.” It is a sort of catch-all phrase used to refer to online gambling. The first gambling sites emerged in the late 1990s and mainly focused on web and video poker. However, the industry has come a long way since then. Gamblers now have a much more comprehensive library of games to choose from. Blackjack, slots, fish tables online, and much more are all available at the various web casinos.
Gambling itself has always adapted to the times. From simple dice games at the local tavern to grandiose casinos to online gambling sites, the industry has constantly been evolving to match the times. And the same is true in 2023. With Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality technology becoming much more viable, the iGaming industry is taking measures to adapt to the times. So, let us look at the few ways online casinos have grown to embrace VR and AR technology.
What is VR?
Before getting to the nitty-gritty, we should explain virtual reality and how it differs from augmented reality. As you might have gathered from the name, virtual reality is a computer-generated approximation of reality. If you have ever seen science fiction classics like Tron or the Matrix, you will already know the concept.
Interestingly, VR doesn’t necessarily have to represent something real. VR games range from science fiction and fantasy to simple life simulators. Many iGaming designers have an idea to create an experience where gamblers could play online but feel like they are in a room together.
What is AR?
Augmented reality, on the other hand, is when computer-generated images enhance the real world. AR, like VR, is often achieved through goggles, cameras, or similar devices. A viral example of augmented reality is the mobile game that won the hearts of many in 2016, Pokemon Go! In the AR mode of the game, players could look through their cameras and see the Pokemon interact with the real-world environment.
iGaming and VR/AR
Every entrepreneur knows the importance of keeping up with technological advancement. From that perspective, the iGaming industry is no different. Developers, designers and online casino managers are always trying to stay ahead of the game, and create a unique experience for their player base.
One such example is the attempt to create an online virtual reality casino. The idea is simple; players can put on their VR goggles and enter a common casino room. Here, they could interact with other players, play at tables, or spin some slots. The goal is to combine the atmosphere of the brick-and-mortar casino, with the convenience of online gambling and, in doing so, produce a truly satisfying product.
Certain strides have been made in this department. However, a truly finished product has yet to hit the scenes. Quite a few web developers are working their hardest, attempting to create a truly great VR casino.
The Problem
So, as you can see, the benefits of a VR casino are numerous. Immersion, convenience, fun, and atmosphere all go into creating an incredible gaming experience. Then, the question becomes, why isn’t VR already a considerable part of iGaming?
Well, the problem is simple: money. AR and VR technology is still in its early stages, meaning a VR headset is quite expensive. iGaming companies can’t expect numerous players to all own virtual reality goggles. And without that, you can’t enter the virtual world.
However, game designers and developers are doing their best to put the theory into practice despite this obstacle. And soon, VR and AR technology will become so widespread and mainstream that a headset will be a staple of every household. Once that happens, VR casinos may be closer at hand.
Final Thoughts
The iGaming industry keeps growing and changing. Some of the best developers in the field have continuously proven that they have what it takes to stay ahead of the popular demand and now exactly how to please their audience. So, if the market for VR casinos gets high enough, we may yet see a world where you can visit a poker room filled with players from all over the world while never leaving your home.
