Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) in Gaming Industry
Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) are two technologies that transform the gaming industry. It captivated millions of players all around the world with its advancement in the area of transformation. The gaming industry starts from simple pixelated games to complex virtual worlds of games that offer the next level of experience. The rise of Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality makes the transformation possible.
VR takes you to a completely virtual space, often with a headset, creating an immersive experience. AR, on the other hand, adds digital elements to your real-world view using devices like phones. As we explore the present state of gaming and the prospects of the gaming arena, learning the difference between virtual reality and augmented reality will make us more knowledgeable regarding Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality.
What is Augmented Reality (AR)
AR is the technology that combines the real environment and virtual world with the help of digital content. This technology allows digital images and information to be displayed in the physical environment. The proper use of computer hardware and software with digital information in the real world makes AR successful in the gaming industry.
The use of AR cannot be ignored as it is very helpful in decision-making. For example, in the retail industry where customers use AR to try clothes before making a purchase. It is also called artificial reality or extended reality as it uses the digital and computer for its work. It is used in mobile computing and business applications to assist them in their work.
The Role of AR in gaming can be thought of as the stats the age of 15-35 are using the games that are using AR with 35% of non-gamers expressing an interest in AR. The market is valued at more than $32 dollars in 2024, with more than 1.4 billion active users of AR globally. These stats make the difference between virtual reality and augmented reality which can be seen easily.
A real-world example of AR
The rise of technology takes the various industries to the next level. As an example, the automobile giant BMW used AR in several ways which can easily help the customers.
BMW’s augmented reality experiences assist the customers to visit their showrooms and they can customize the required cars with different colors or styles by using their smart phones. They can experience what it’s like to drive the cars, so they understand their options and can make the perfect choice for their new vehicle.
They have also used the Visualizer app in prototyping at their Plant.
Also read: Meta Quest vs Vision Pro! Which will Win in the Future of VR!
What is Virtual Reality
VR is a computer-generated environment that can be used by the players which they can explore in all degrees to feel like they are in that world. The computer-generated environment with the facts and objects that look like be real, makes the user feel like they are in that surroundings.
VR can provide an immersive experience that is interactive with the real world which enables the users to think and understand the different concepts while simulating the human experience by exploring the world of virtual.
Virtual reality is used in the fields of healthcare, construction, gaming, and education and can assist humans in making the complex process easier. The use of VR handsets blocks the real world and displays the video in each eye of the user. The handsets also track the user’s moments in the body to connect to the virtual world. The use of these handsets takes the user’s gaming experience to the next level while staying at their places can explore the different world.
The Role of VR in gaming or in another field can be thought of as the stats the global market of VR was valued at $35 billion and the experts project to reach $87 billion by 2030. The growth can be visualized as the 175 million people use the VR activity across the world. Out of the total VR users, 65% are using it for gaming to enhance their gaming experiences. These numbers make it popular and make the difference between virtual reality and augmented reality.
A real-world example of VR
NASA has been using VR for a decade for training and other work that can benefit them. Rising in technology. NASA collaborating with leading tech giants like Microsoft, HTC uses VR to simulate the environment of space to train astronauts in a Virtual international space station that replicas the conditions.
The VR also helps to plan for Mars which allows the astronauts to practice traveller operations in virtual Martian landscapes.
The Difference Between Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality
With the rise in the gaming experience gamers need to be clear about the difference between the best technologies that have completely changed the landscape of gaming i.e. AR and VR. Where AR uses the real-world setting to enhance the user experience, VR uses a fully virtual environment for the user. It is good to explore the difference between virtual reality and augmented reality for more clarity.
| Bases | Augmented Reality | Virtual Reality |
| Launch Year | 1950s | 1968 |
| User experience | Real-world experience with virtual content | Fully Virtual Environment |
| Interaction | Interaction with both real and virtual objects | Interaction with the virtual environment |
| Hardware | Use of smartphones or AR glasses | Dedicated VR handsets |
| Accessibility | Easy to Accessible | Not easy to Access as it requires a handset and computer |
| Sharing | Yes, AR allows | VR does not allow |
| Control | Users can control the system | Users can not control the system |
| Examples | Pokemon GO | Storming of the Bastille |
Conclusion
After a long discussion on the difference between virtual reality and augmented reality with real-world examples, we can say that VR and AR both are crucial for different industries because of their uses. The Rise in the number of users allows the tech players to think more for them in terms of virtually. The Gaming industry is also affected by this as it has transformed from pixelated games to virtual games to enhance the experience. The Future of Gaming is not only with AR and VR it will go beyond with the help of them to take the gamer’s experience at the next level.
