A Changing World
It’s a truism to say that technology is changing our world at an ever-faster rate, and this is particularly so with regards to virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR). The first virtual reality (VR) head-mounted display (HMD) dates back to 1968 when Ivan Sutherland and Bob Sproull developed the lab based “The Sword of Damocles” (so called because it was so heavy it had to be suspended from the ceiling). Now entry level VR headsets costing around £300 to £500 are available from most major electronics retailers, while our smartphones can overlay updates in real time as we move our devices, incorporated into apps as diverse as Google Maps and Pokemon Go. So, what are these technologies, and how are they transforming the world of online casinos?
What Are VR and AR, and Why Are They Becoming So Impactful?
While both virtual reality and augmented reality involve the use of computer-generated imagery (with sounds and other effects) to alter our sense of reality, they do so in very different ways.
Virtual Reality (VR) involves wearing a headset that completely, or almost completely, obscures the user’s vision, and projects computer images onto small screens just in front of their eyes. Tracking technology calculates where the user is looking and amends the display accordingly – giving the impression that they are looking at a world that fully surrounds them. Speakers, and interaction via joysticks, gloves or other “haptic” devices increase the depth of that illusion by giving the user the apparent opportunity to travel within that world and interact with elements of it.
Historically, though, achieving the goal of a fully immersive VR which provides a seamless and fully realistic world has proven extremely difficult. Thus far, the headsets have been bulky, heavy, and tiring to wear for long periods. Further, limits on processing power and information bandwidth have made it extremely hard to create a binocular scene that reaches 4K resolution.
Augmented Reality (AR), however, takes an alternative path in that it provides additional information to the user, either text onto the lenses of specially adapted glasses, or else images overlaid onto a phone or computer screen. In the former case, we can use our mobile phones to see the world overlaid with an additional image for “our eyes only”, whether a Pokemon character, a new outfit, a redecorated room, or even a star map. Even using a computer screen, we can already try on “virtual glasses” or model different haircuts without investing in the actual product. As such, AR doesn’t try to create a whole new reality – but adds information that enable us to visualize various changes, navigate more effectively, or interact with different kinds of games.
Of these two technologies, AR appears to be the current winner in the spending wars. VR and AR investment has been declining, with the total US$5.8 billion invested across 283 deals in 2022 less than half the amount invested in 2021. However, large companies such as Meta and Apple are still investing heavily, with Meta’s total investment set to reach USD100 billion this year, and 2025 presented as a “defining year” for its smart glasses.
What Changes Are We Seeing, and What Can We Expect?
So, what does this mean for online casinos, such as those featured on this site comparing the best casino bonuses?
Online casinos are obviously hugely competitive as they fight to attract and retain our interest and funds, so it’s no surprise they are keen to use these new technologies for their own benefit – despite the issues we have already identified.
One of the most obvious changes they can implement is the ability for users with VR headsets to ditch the static menus the rest of us are restricted to, and instead explore the casino floor, visit tables, and even interact with other players – all providing multiple benefits for players using those sets:
- While the tech may initially be a bit harder to adapt to, navigating around a casino is a lot more intuitive if you can see where you are going and remember where you have been – providing richer and more immersive environment. For the casinos themselves, this could also enable them to attract players to games they might not have thought of as they pass by different tables. Curious bystanders could even pull up the rules for that game on their VR screens as they watch other players take part.
- The ability to share a virtual world with other players can also address issues such as social isolation – whether imposed through personal choice or outside factors such as ill health. Traditional online casinos don’t provide social interaction of any kind, and resulting loneliness could significantly undermine users’ experiences or lead them to pursue risky gambling strategies. Enabling players to recognize and interact with other human (or even AI) avatars would be a great first step to addressing that isolation.
- Even where isolation isn’t an issue, the chance to create a “whole new you” by fully customizing your avatar can boost confidence and allow any of us to dream a bit. You may not be able to afford a Cartier gown or tailored tuxedo in reality, but that’s no excuse not to appear at the gaming tables, sharply dressed as your alter-ego.
A Way To Go
As those who read tech-type magazines such as this one know, though, we still have a way to go before these technologies are fully mature and readily available to all users. VR and AR are still in their “experimental” stage, with corresponding difficulties fully integrating their use. VR headsets aren’t cheap, and the chosen set needs to be compatible with the user’s system – while the techno-babble associated with the new technology can be off-putting for less sophisticated users. And while AR doesn’t have these issues, the experience they generate can easily be less than overwhelming.
More importantly, online casinos themselves still face the old issues of user safety and informational privacy. Developers are being forced to devise and implement new encryption and verification methods, many of which have yet to be fully tested, making VR as it currently stands something of a gamble to use online.
That said, it’s clear there is a still a hunger to overcome these issues – whether from users who want a more truly immersive and augmented experience, tech companies that want to crack the holy grail of simple, affordable tech that meets customer expectations, or providers who want to use this technology to improve the value and attractiveness of their operations.
