Uses and Trends:
Video games, movies, television shows, live shows, concerts, and sporting events are some of the things that people need in their lives to escape from harsh realities like stressful jobs and other real world problems.
Video games are normally the first thought that comes to mind when thinking about VR. Gaming in virtual reality will truly belittle any video game experience you have ever had in the past due to its immersive qualities. VR gaming provides an authentic experience and is getting the attention of many gamers. The video embedded below shows actual gameplay from the VR game “Zero Caliber”. This is one of the most realistic VR games that I have seen. Rather than just hitting a button to reload a weapon, or crouch to the ground to avoid gunfire, you actually need to do it with your own hands.
Sporting events have always been popular and many people that are not even sports fans enjoy attending them. But nearly every major sports city has its stadiums located in areas surrounded by serious traffic, making these events a nuisance to attend. Today with VR, people can attend sporting events, concerts and other live shows from the comfort of their own homes. In the article Soon Virtual Reality Will Let Everyone Attend the Super Bowl, Adam K. Raymond explains how all major professional sports leagues have used VR. Raymond writes, “The NBA broadcasts a weekly game in VR, NASCAR put viewers on the starting line and in the pits at last year’s Daytona 500, the NHL let fans watch from behind the glass at the 2016 All-Star Game, and MLB put them behind the plate during last summer’s Home Run Derby.”
The NextVR app is a popular virtual reality app that allows people with VR headsets to watch sports, concerts, and other shows as if they were actually there themselves. The app provides angles and views that are not accessible anywhere but VR.
Disruptive Impact:
The entertainment industry is a vital part of human life, and with the emerging technology of virtual reality, we are starting to see some parts of this industry being disrupted. Virtual reality is only in its early stages of development and is already beginning to change the way that people are consuming media.
As virtual reality continues to grow, more and more VR video games are being produced. According to Grand View Research, the VR gaming industry is expected to grow at a very rapid rate. The console based virtual reality like PSVR makes up nearly half of the market, forcing mobile gaming as well as PC gaming to adapt and market their own VR gaming platforms. We are seeing nearly everyone creating VR games which signifies the fact that VR gaming is the future and regular gaming consoles and PC gaming will be disrupted once the technology is perfected and accessible/affordable for the average gamer.
Like I mentioned earlier, every major professional sports league has dabbled with VR. The NBA provides full, live games in VR every night through the NextVR app. VR allows you to watch your favorite team from court-side seats that would normally cost thousands of dollars, for a low price monthly subscription, plus, you don’t even need to leave your house. Ever since the NBA made a deal with NextVR, the NHL is now also beginning to integrate virtual reality with NextVR. In order to avoid being surpassed by other leagues, the NHL, NBA, FIFA and WWE are all getting their foot in the VR door early.
Predictions:
I predict that virtual reality will play a some role in disrupting nearly every part of the entertainment industry. VR is creating a whole new gaming market, and any video game company that does not create their own VR equipment and games will fail. VR gaming is currently in its innovative stages, but not far from now it will be widely popular to casual gamers across the world. I also predict that VR will lead to a drop in attendance for live events such as concerts and sports because VR will give people a more convenient alternative to attend live events.
Virtual Reality has Become a Reality 