A few decades ago, virtual reality seemed like something you’d only find in a science fiction movie. Yet, as the world has continued to evolve and technology has grown to a phenomenal zenith, companies like Meta and Apple are now plowing billions into VR headset development, producing some pretty spectacular results. While they might look interesting and capture the imagination, what practical use do they have to justify the sobering price tag, climbing into the multi-thousand dollar region?
VR Gaming & Entertainment
There’s no hiding the fact that VR gaming is where the most exciting possibilities lie. The technology that underpins virtual reality is arguably the most significant component that has resulted in multi-billion dollar investment over the last 18 months – providing an immersive, never before witnessed gaming experience. First-person shooter games and free-roam worlds seem to have taken the most early interest in VR gaming, as they have more immersive gaming features that put you right into the thick of the action.
By channeling the atmosphere of these games, VR could unlock the key that brings a new generation of gamers on board, and Meta has aimed primarily at the markets in the United States and Canada with this release. Other industries will sit up and take notice, especially ones that put technology first, and given the emphasis the casino industry places on fast payouts, https://casinocanada.com/casinos/fast-payout/, they’ll be another sector closely following the developments in VR gaming.
Head of content at CasinoCanada.com, Dmitry Rogalchuk, is under no illusions about how VR could change the gambling world and has gone on record to say, “Virtual Reality has the possibility to unlock another dimension of gaming. When we thought the industry might be running out of ideas or finding a natural ceiling, other technology galvanized everybody. We might be a few years off realizing its true potential in gaming, but it’s certainly exciting times.”
Meta Quest 3 Key Features
As part of Mark Zuckerberg’s drive to introduce the world to the marvelous potential of VR, the Meta Quest 3 headset has aimed to strike a fine line between affordability and ingenuity. Some of the most interesting points include:
- $499 RRP – much cheaper than the original Meta headset designs.
- A 2064×2088 display.
- XBOX Cloud Gaming connectivity.
- Well-received by technology journalists and reviewers.
Since it is the third in the series in a relatively short period, nobody is disputing Zuckeberg’s commitment to pushing this technology forward. Rebranding Facebook as Meta and pivoting billions of dollars into research and design is a gamble that might not have paid off as quickly as he would have liked. Still, the fact that Apple has entered the race brings many positives and negatives and helps legitimize VR as an exciting long-term industry, quashing any idea that it’s a fad.
A Glimpse Of The Future?
It’d be challenging to make a case that VR headsets are a fad when two of the top five companies in the world are actively investing and developing the technology. Often, with any new technology, the key is to showcase the benefits and make them affordable. When PCs and laptops first went to market, they were considered too expensive and cumbersome.
However, as persistent pioneering companies like Apple and Microsoft insisted that they were the future and mass production slowly drove the price down and made them more accessible, tens of millions were sold in the following ten years. There might be other financial and economic pressures to consider, and the argument that laptops and PCs are more of a necessity than a VR headset should also be a consideration. However, there wouldn’t be a considerable drive from these mammoth organizations without a colossal potential yield at the end of the road.
Final Thoughts
Key innovators and minds in the industry wouldn’t be as keen to make such a sharp turn away from other technology if there wasn’t significant potential in headsets like Meta Quest 3.
By balancing out the benefits and the costs, Meta will hope they have released this headset in time for Christmas and will be hopeful that this could lead to a boost in sales. It feels as though we’re at the start of a long road for VR, and while it might take a while to catch on, there’s a much stronger chance of it being a part of the future rather than a 2020s fad.
