AR/VR in Gaming Industry – Examples & Importance  

Heard of the increasing importance of AR/VR in gaming industry but do not understand why? Then, this blog is for you!  

Gaming companies all around the world are leveraging AR/VR to take their user’s experience up a notch. Not all gaming companies, but businesses dealing in different areas/fields such as healthcare, retail, marketing, etc., are incorporating AR/VR games as well.   

This is being done to enhance user experience, give them opportunities to earn some additional rewards and well as these games act as fillers or entertaining elements.   

Therefore, AR/VR is a boon for multiple industries, even bringing a paradigm shift in some. How does it benefit the gaming industry, in particular, has been discussed in this blog.   

So, let’s look at the multiple advantages and examples of AR/VR in the gaming industry.   

What is AR/VR in gaming industry?   

AR is augmented reality that combines real and virtual environments and overlays digital content onto the real world. Whereas VR or virtual reality is a simulated 3D environment that facilitates an immersive experience for the user. It artificially creates sensory experiences, including sight, touch, hearing, and smell.  

AR in the gaming industry is used to record the player’s surroundings and monitor their orientation as well as motions in order to correctly lay digital characters onto real-world elements. This is done to create digital avatars or introduce superficial creatures in different games to make them more realistic and engaging.  

The sensors further track user movements at different interaction points between players and virtual creatures to make the required adjustments.   

VR in the gaming industry is used to create a 3D or 4D environment that allows players to visit different virtual worlds and interact with characters, wearing a VR headset. VR games are developed for gaming consoles, mobile phones, desktop screens, VR rooms, etc.   

Must read: AR/VR in retail industry  

AR/VR in gaming industry – Importance   

With the new digital era, the ways in which players interact with games have also changed. Now the games are not just virtually engaging but also virtually immersive with AR/VR entering and thriving in the gaming industry.   

AR/VR in the gaming industry has introduced 3D effects that offer a thrilling and captivating gaming experience. AR brings real and virtual environments together and offers the best of both worlds to the users. The role of AR/VR in gaming cannot be undermined. Since the industry keeps on evolving, the importance of AR/VR in gaming has been increasing.   

In fact, as per the International Data Corporation report, AR and VR generated revenues of $12 billion in 2020 and are projected to reach $72.8 billion in 2024.  

Interestingly, the AR/VR market is dominated by gaming, with 80% of all AR and VR revenue generated by gaming activity.  

But why is AR/VR being so extensively used in the gaming industry? What benefits could it possibly have for the industry?   

Let’s check out.   

Also read: AR/VR in the marketing industry 

Benefits of AR/VR in gaming industry  

One of the largest video gaming companies EA’s share prices increased by 20% after the American video game company invested in AR.   

Similarly, Sony Interactive Entertainment, another industry behemoth that recorded the highest annual gaming revenue of $28.2 billion in 2022 has also been deeply exploring the AR/VR world.  In fact, back in 2017, Sony reported that around 1 million units of their Playstation VR headset have been sold. 

With so many global gaming brands investing in AR/VR, the following benefits explain the increasing interest:   

1. More realistic gaming experience: The gaming experience with AR/VR is more life-like and immersive. This allows the players to get more involved and hooked to the gaming experience.   

For example, through simulations, players will be able to feel the wind, the collisions, and even the movement of the objects.   

2. Real-time interaction: AR/VR in the gaming industry allows for better real-time communication and collaboration among players. Users can invite friends, play collectively, or go live to play and compete with other players. This will further improve player engagement and interest levels. These games are creating a more sociable gaming environment for all gaming enthusiasts.   

3. Increased revenue: Since AR/VR in the gaming industry enhances the player’s experience, making it more engaging and immersive, the same is shared with friends and family. This positive word-of-mouth publicity may attract more players and thus, allow gaming companies to gain more engagement and higher revenue.   

4. Enhanced overall user experience: With a more life-like experience, the players are able to enjoy their game, and virtual environment more. It is then just not a game but a sensory experience a player goes on.   

Players can move around while experiencing their surroundings more closely, touch and feel the objects, collaborate more realistically with the characters, shoot bullets at the enemies, and much more. This automatically enhances the overall experience of all the players involved.   

5. Building knowledge and skills: AR/VR in the gaming industry stimulates the senses and improves the imagination of players involved. This allows users to learn and understand the concepts better. It further helps them to acquire new skills. Many companies are leveraging AR/VR nowadays to develop educational games.   

AR/VR in the gaming industry – Types and Examples  

There are different types of AR/VR in gaming. Similarly, there are multiple examples of AR and VR games in the world. Let’s look at some of them.   

Types of AR games:  

Some of the common AR game types are:  

1. Location-based games:

These AR games utilize GPS and actual location data to overlay virtual content onto the player’s real environment. These games could be played by searching for in-game items in the real surroundings.   

Example:  

Pokemon GO: This is one of the most popular AR games on the internet. It was created in 2016 by Niantic and went viral within a few months of its launch. 

Players explore the real world to search for and catch digital or virtual Pokemon creatures. Teaming up of players for raids, battles, and participation in special events, adds a social interaction element to the game.   

It acted as a model for the AR gaming community and has more than 800 million downloads worldwide.   

Ingress:  Ingress Prime, soon after its launch became one of the mobile device’s most sought-after AR games. Players involved in this game have to look for ‘portals’ following the directions given for specific locations.  

It gets interesting with teams competing against each other. A team member might hack the portals and modify the details to prevent the other team from having the portal’s access.   

It has more than 20 million downloads. 

2. AR sports and puzzle games:

AR sports games add virtual elements to traditional games such as basketball, football, squash, tennis, etc.   

Similarly, AR puzzle games allow for puzzles and challenges to be added to the player’s environment through virtual elements overlaid in real-time locations.   

Example:  

MLB Home Run Derby AR: This is an AR sports game that superimposes virtual baseballs, pitchers, and stadiums onto the user’s real-world environment and allows him/her to experience the swinging of a baseball bat through simulation.  

The Machines: This game involves players commanding armies of machines during real-time battles. They are required to smartly and strategically position their troops in and around the battlefield to take out the home base of their opponent. This game also has puzzle-solving elements along with tactical warfare.  

3. AR simulation games:

These AR-based games offer realistic simulations of different activities as well as situations. Home decoration games, virtual aquariums, AR pet simulations, etc., are all examples of AR simulation games.   

Example:  

Jurassic World Alive: This game takes you to a world where dinosaurs fight humans for domination. Players in this game need to look for and capture virtual dinosaurs in the real world.  

4. Multi-player AR games:

Multi-player or social games allow multiple players to interact and play AR-based games. Each player involved handles a character in the game and can engage in virtual activities with other users.   

Example:  

Harry Potter- Wizards Unite: This game allows players to enter a virtual wizarding world and cast spells, search for magical artifacts, and battle magical creatures forming teams. Collaboration for in-game challenges as well as events further makes the game interesting. 

5. AR-based educational games:

Developers use AR elements to create interactive and immersive educational experiences. Educational AR games teach history, science, or other subjects through interactive AR content.  

Example:  

DinoMixer AR: This AR educational game app allows users to explore and learn about different types of dinosaurs. Users can also mix and match various body parts to create their own unique version of a dinosaur while also learning more about their anatomy.   

Let’s now look at the different types and popular examples of VR games.   

Types of VR games 

Some types of VR games are:  

1. Shooting games or first-person shooter (FPS) VR games:

These are the traditional battle games where a player is a protagonist, armed with weapons.  

These players then battle it out with their enemies. They aim, shoot, and move around in the game environment to keep themselves in the game.    

Example:  

Half-Life: Alyx: This shooting or first-person shooter (FPS) VR game was created by Valve. Set between the events of “Half-Life” and “Half-Life 2, players involved act as Alyx Vance, one of the main characters in the “Half-Life” series.  

This game takes players on a journey where Alyx’s character battles the alien Combine forces in different environments of City 17, a dystopian city. They further try to solve the mysteries of the Half-Life universe. 

It involves the usage of headsets, gravity guns, controllers, and many other objects in order to deliver a realistic experience. 

2. Simulation VR games:

These games simulate real-world activities, environments, scenarios, or experiences. Players experience immersive and realistic virtual settings.  

Examples:  

Job Simulator: This game has a futuristic theme where robots have taken over jobs. Players get to experience simulated jobs in different professions, such as office workers, chefs, and mechanics, doing comical tasks. 

Minecraft VR: This game does not involve any story, character, or drama. Instead, it allows players to explore their imagination and create a world of their own using digital assets. It is a type of simulation AR game.  

As a result, the players could build a city, hut, house, or whatever they desire and earn rewards. The game has 3D audio and graphics and also supports multiplayer mode.   

3. Action, adventure, and sports games:

These games allow players to exist in an exciting storyline while combating challenges as well as puzzles.  

Sports games involve players in some traditional sports such as baseball, tennis, soccer, etc., but virtually.   

Example: 

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim VR: It is the adoption of the critically acclaimed action role-playing game ‘The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim’. Players explore the world of Skyrim, interact with multiple characters, wield weapons, prevent attacks with shields, cast spells through motion controllers, encounter dragons, and much more.  

Topgolf with Pro Putt: It is a VR golf game that allows players to experience virtual golf in multiple scenic locations.  

4. Horror games:

Horror game is a popular category of VR games as virtual reality technology has enhanced the sensory experience that is required to create spooky effects in these games.   

Examples:  

Resident Evil 7: Biohazard: It is a survival horror game where players explore a run-down and shady plantation mansion in Louisiana. It is based on Ethan Winters who is searching for his missing wife, Mia. The game involves combat and exploration and is filled with mystery and shocking revelations. 

5. City-building games:

This is a unique and creative type of VR game. It offers players to urban design experience and exposure through a game. These games are innovative and engaging.   

Examples:  

Skytropolis: This is a city-building game that is set in the clouds. It requires a blend of strategy and management gameplay. Players have to construct as well as manage their floating cities and cater to the virtual citizens as well.   

6. Narrative & Story-based games:

These games introduce and present mythical creatures or story/tale-driven characters, allowing players to be fully engaged and immersed in the games.   

Examples: 

Moss: In this game, players provide guidance to a small mouse named Quill to navigate a magical world full of puzzles and adventures. The presentation of the narration is similar to a storybook. 

Also read: AR/VR in the Advertising Industry  

Conclusion   

Thus, AR/VR in gaming sector is creating headlines. With players hooked to their screens all thanks to the immersive experience offered by AR/VR games, the industry is experiencing exciting times. Players all across the globe are engaged in these games which allow them to experience thrill, knowledge as well as skill-building.   

Players are put directly into the virtual or augmented worlds, allowing them to have immersive experiences of multiple interesting environments. The realistic simulations of environments, scenarios, and situations further allow these players to gain authentic gaming experiences.  

The user engagement is longer as AR/VR technologies offer fresh storytelling possibilities using immersive narratives and interactive story creatures or elements. Moreover, the AR/VR-enabled social interaction in virtual spaces also enhances a player’s experience.  

From entertainment to education and much more, AR/VR is rapidly shaping the future of gaming. Plenty of new possibilities are being offered to developers with the use of these two technologies in gaming and experiences are being described as captivating for players. 

Furthermore, with the two immersive technologies maturing with time, the industry will witness an increased role of AR/VR.  And you as a gaming business do not want to be late to the party or miss out on more engaged users. 

So, this is the right time to act and take your gaming experiences to another level of fun and engagement. And we are here for that!  

BigOh is a well-known name in the technology industry helping clients take their business, numbers, and growth to new heights.  

We offer top-quality AR/VR gaming app development services. From consultation, and design, to development, testing, and maintenance, we offer you expertise, guidance, and support throughout! 

Our dedicated development team ensures that your AR/VR gaming app stands out and offers the most engaging and immersive experiences to your customers.  

Get in touch with us today to discuss how your gaming business be enhanced through an AR/VR gaming app.