Virtual Reality: A profitable industry?

Virtual Reality: The New Norm

As new consumer electronics are being released, I’m noticing an interesting growth in immersive technologies. With 3D filming being the new norm for cinematic production, the question is: what’s next? Content producers are constantly pushing the envelope wanting their audiences to feel as though they are in the environments they are viewing. Where’s the next move in immersion and what markets will allow for this?

Where’s the Market?

Naturally, the gaming industry could profit from full immersion gaming. As next-gen consoles are being released, the push is to make the games more realistic for players. Oculus Rift is a new Virtual Reality headset that is in production that is creating affordable VR headsets for consumers and developers. This is the progression of new tech: it enters the market in crazy prices, then more affordable options begin to fill the market place.

Samsung’s keynote for the Note 4 that recently passed, introduced the Gear VR, Samsung’s use of the Oculus Rift developer’s pack to create a personal VR system using the Note 4 as the engine brings VR to the “mobile” consumer. Up against Google’s glass hardware system. It’s using an inventive way to process the software of the VR system using their heaving hitting mobile device.

Possible Future

The applications for this technology could range in what industry it touches next. As far as consumer electronics go, I could see this changing the display game drastically. Think of watching your 3D Blu-ray movies in Virtual Reality. Literally following the action with the turn of your head. Letting your games take you to new and inventive worlds. Being able to go behind the scenes for your favorite shows and follow your favorite characters as they explain the production process.

I discuss the tech and media applications because that’s what I know. However there are definite medical, military, other scientific applications that this technology could be used for. What do you think, folks? Is Virtual Reality a lucrative technology?