Considering how advanced and realistic virtual reality is, it isn’t a surprise that the entertainment industry has found so many uses for it. The gaming industry has integrated virtual reality across several platforms that allow gamers to enjoy a more immersive experience. A good example is the PlayStation VR made by Sony Interactive Entertainment. It is a first generation VR headset that functions with PS4 and PS5 consoles.
Virtual reality in entertainment involves the simulation of different visual scenes integrated with audio. These scenes could be related to some game scape or a movie. In addition to VR for games, there are also museums that have adopted the use of virtual reality. This gives the museum’s visitors a chance to experience interactive exhibitions/displays. Themed parks, galleries, and theatres have also joined in the VR trend.
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Gaming’s Dominance of the VR Entertainment Market
VR entertainment covers different sectors. However, the global gaming sector holds the lion share of profits generated through virtual reality. Billions of dollars are generated from VR in gaming annually. Just in 2019 alone, about 5.12 billion USD was generated from the global VR gaming market.
According to globenewswire.com, the global VR gaming market is expected to attain a value of 40.2 billion USD in the next four years (2024).
The PlayStation VR, amongst others, is a reflection of how much money is made from VR in gaming. The PSVR is calculated to have generated almost 2 billion USD for its parent company, Sony. Other games like the Xbox and Nintendo Wii VRs have also made a lot of money.
Virtual Reality gear can be really expensive. Because of this, some gamers can’t afford to purchase a personal VR gear. There are certain sections in malls and other locations that are dedicated to VR gaming and VR entertainment in general. These centers are created for access to VR entertainment at pocket-friendly prices.
Areas of Entertainment Where VR is being Used
The applications of virtual reality in the entertainment industry keep increasing. There are some interesting applications that have been established across the world to increase the customer base and improve customer experience.
Virtual Reality in Theater
Theaters are now being created with an integration of virtual reality. These theaters, known as immersive theaters, are made to be more interactive for the audience. Instead of sitting back and watching actors/actresses perform shows on a stage, the audience is pulled into a more immersive and interactive show via the use of VR headsets. The fact that the audience can be actively engaged in the theater’s shows makes immersive theater a potentially lucrative business. Immersive theaters draw a large crowd – this reflects how much interest people have in them.
Virtual Reality in Museums
Unlike traditional museum visits where you drive to a location to observe ancient artifacts, dinosaur bones, and more, some museums now use virtual reality to provide customers with realistic experiences through applications on mobile devices. The implementation of museums through VR is similar to the use of 360 tours in real estate.
Museums can also be crowded sometimes, especially when a world-famous piece is on display. Visitors may not get a good view of their favorite artifacts before leaving the museum. Virtual reality solves this problem by giving many people the room to view different displays without any hindrance.
Generally, there are many advantages that VR has brought into the museum business. All these advantages boost the profitability of museums.
Virtual Reality in Gaming
Virtual reality is growing exponentially in the gaming industry. Players are able to “enter” the game for a more realistic and fascinating experience. Through the use of VR headsets and VR controllers, players can navigate through the game while beating levels and completing challenges.
Thanks to headsets like the Oculus Quest, HTC Vive, and PlayStation VR, traditional games played on Television or Laptop screens are now available in more interactive forms.
VR games are available in different genres like adventure, first person shooter, and more. Some of the excellent VR games available for purchase include Beat Saber, Budget Cuts 2, Danger Goat, Everybody’s Golf, and lots more.
Virtual Reality in Amusement Parks
Considering the number of amusement parks we have today, and their many wild rides, there is a great level of competition for visitors. However, parks that are able to provide unique and innovative features would get the most visitors. The use of virtual reality on different rides is a feature that attracts more visitors to parks.
With the use of VR, there’s a better level of flexibility with creativity. Different captivating themes can easily be created for the amusement of visitors on rides. For instance, scary themes can be made for Halloween.
Virtual Reality in Music Concerts
The music industry hasn’t been left behind in the adoption of VR entertainment. Major events in the music industry like Lollapalooza, Sziget Festival, Coachella, and others have been integrated with VR performances.
Some solo artists and music bands have also adopted the use of virtual reality for live presentations. This addition to musical events has created a solution for many previous challenges. Fans can now experience their favorite artists perform while getting an excellent 360⁰ view.
Apart from live concert setups, other significant places relating to artists and recording studios can be visited through VR implementations.
Conclusion
The entertainment industry is very competitive. Different companies want to expand their customer base and make the most profit. For an entertainment company to stand out, it must be able to follow trends and advancements in service delivery methods. Virtual Reality is a modern solution to several problems associated with traditional entertainment methods. VR entertainment gives room for more flexibility in product delivery and also unlimited creativity.
The global gaming industry yields the most profits from the use of virtual reality in entertainment. The VR gaming sector keeps growing and attracting more players. With the use of high-end VR headsets and controllers, players can navigate through immersive gamescapes and interact with the simulated environment.
Other entertainment sectors like the movies, theme parks, music, and theatres also use VR. This makes their business more lucrative.