Although VR and AR are nothing new in the gaming world, the ways in which they are being used is constantly changing. For example, VR is now being used in professional eSports tournaments around the world. You only have to look on a website like GGBet to see the list of growing titles within the industry.

And as this changes, the demand for engineering growth and evolution becomes greater. We will begin our article by looking at the ways in which this technology is pushing boundaries in the market and then move on to some of the obstacles that may stand in its way.

The Future of VR & AR

There next follows a few examples of where VR & AR trends are heading in the gaming industry. Some of these are upon us while others may be a few years down the line.

Full Body VR Suits

While full body VR suits already exist, they are pretty basic at present. As the technology becomes more powerful, the demand for a greater immersive experience increases. Full-body suits could help us bridge the gap between the virtual and real worlds. 

They will help give us a more sensory experience when playing games so that we feel everything that our character feels in the game. Now, I’m not sure if I want to feel the full force of an AK57 in Call of Duty but you get the point. Imagine being able to feel things like rain, wind, or even heat.

Virtual Communities

VR and AR games are great, but they can feel a little isolated at times, a bit like they are solo games. Yes, we can communicate to characters in games but it’s not like communicating to someone in real life. Many developers believe that the future of VR gaming is to add more social elements to it. 

This will mean you can engage with other players in virtual worlds, host events, tournaments, the possibilities are endless.

Hybrid AR & VR Gaming

Up to this point AR and VR have been quite separated. Developers have focused on perfecting each area to ensure they are utilising the technology to its full potential. However, the future may involve a hybrid approach where both are used alongside each other. They will attempt to do this by not only allowing the players to immerse themselves into the game, but also their surroundings too.

Hurdles to Overcome

As these two technologies continue to grow, so does the hurdle that they must overcome. Here are a few things that each technology must take into consideration.

Cross Platform Integration 

As the need for more social interaction within these virtual worlds rises so does the requirement for cross-platform integration. At this moment in time, many companies are trying to cash in on the current trend by offering their own platforms. However, by working together they could reach a far greater audience. The invention of more cloud based VR & AR gaming could be the solution to overcome this problem.

Equipment

The actual equipment itself has always been an issue within the industry but things are improving. The kit has always been seen as quite bulky or heavyweight and many options available these days are wired. However, developers are starting to bring out more lightweight, wireless options.

The only problem with this is that this usually comes at a cost. The price point with VR headsets was already a sticking point for many. There are other issues with the equipment as well, with eye tracking being one of the biggest. Many players feel that after a while they become motion sick and as such have to stop playing. 

Legal Issues

As the technology continues to grow at rapid rates, lawmakers can’t seem to keep up. As such, there aren’t too many rules around VR and AR gaming at present. One question many people have asked is can a virtual crime be considered a crime? 

Let’s say we have two players wearing full-body suits in an open-world game and one assaults another, is this a real-world crime? Obviously, if you were playing a game we’re fighting was allowed, this would be expected. But where do you draw the line?

Virtually Unstoppable

Despite these issues, the technology is continuing to develop into something very special indeed. And just when we think it’s at its peak, developers bring out something new that simply blows our minds. As things stand, the possibility for both seem endless and I for one cannot wait to see where its heading.