VR, or virtual reality, is one of those technologies that still feel futuristic and forward-thinking. This perhaps should not be the case, as the concepts and technology of VR have been around for far longer than you might think. Flight simulators were used to train pilots as early as the 1920s, while the ‘Sensorama’ developed by Morton Heilig was dazzling audiences with an immersive experience in the early 1960s — using stereoscopic artistic techniques from well over a century before to achieve this.
In the 21st century, however, VR is taking off in a big way. Far more sophisticated than it was only a few years ago, this technology has applications that are as diverse as they are exciting.
So, what does this mean for the future of online casinos? Can we expect VR elements to become fixtures in these casinos in the coming years?
Making VR a Key Aspect of Tomorrow’s Casinos
While we are focusing on the casinos of tomorrow, much of the infrastructure and digital capability required to make VR a reality within casinos already exists today. We can expect this to become increasingly prevalent as we move forwards.
The Technology Is Already Here
Of course, we are talking about gaming with a very specific focus — that of digital casino betting. However, it is another form of gaming — video gaming — that has accelerated the development of this technology. Thanks to video gaming, the technology required for VR is already here. This means customers do not need to invest in expensive hardware to connect with a VR experience in an online casino — they can simply deploy the already widely available video gaming hardware.
Interactivity Is the Order of the Day
The online casino experience has to be an interactive one. This is not cinema or television but rather a form of entertainment in which the user is right there in the middle of play. As such, VR needs to be about far more than just striking visuals and a great aesthetic — it needs to support precise and immediate responses to user activity. This is already possible with the technology in the market. The ongoing development of gaze-based interaction, where the VR responds to what the user is looking at, is also supporting this shift.
A More Immersive and Satisfying Experience
We have to ask ourselves: what exactly is the point of virtual reality in online casinos and gaming? The answer needs to be clear: to provide a far better and more engaging experience. This makes VR a technology truly worth investing in, as the immersive and thrilling power of a true virtual reality experience is a major leap forward in terms of customer engagement.
The Increasingly Important Role of Virtual Reality
It seems that VR technology is finally catching up with the expectation and the imagination of the consumer. With this in mind, it is certain that these digital concepts will play a significant role in the ongoing development of the digital casino industry.
