How AR And VR Is Transforming The Entertainment Industry

To think we live in a world where you can experience the Eiffel Tower while you are sitting in Los Angeles; this is amazing! And while nothing can beat the real thing, knowing that AR and VR can create a new experience like the above is something truly special. Augmented and virtual reality technologies continue to revolutionize the way we live, and they have a major focus on entertainment. For example, PlayStation has a virtual reality headset that allows for a fully immersive in-game experience when playing VR compatible games. Let’s have a look at how AR and VR are transforming the entertainment industry. 

What are AR and VR?

AR stands for augmented reality. It’s an interactive experience that combines the real world with the digital world. The game Pokémon Go is a prime example of AR technology in play, where you can catch Pokémon, a digital in-game pocket monster, in the wild, where you can see your actual surroundings in the game.  

Then there is VR, which stands for virtual reality. VR works a little differently than AR. VR is a simulated experience that uses 3D and enables you to feel as though you are part of the digital world.

Movies

There is no avenue that film directors, actors, and film producers haven’t tried before, but we have not yet reached the peak of what movies can truly offer us. Consumers are after the sort of immersive experiences that AR and VR technologies can offer. We see this in the cinema. With VR, moviegoers can feel part of the film they are watching. This adds an extra layer of excitement. Essentially, moviegoers can watch a film through the eyes of the movie characters. How interesting is that? The IMAX franchise is looking to make this more mainstream in the next few years.  

Games and apps

We are so used to sitting in front of our TV screens or mobile devices that it can oftentimes become quite boring. But VR technology is completely changing the way we play games. Let’s take PlayStation’s Crash Bandicoot franchise as an example. While currently the franchise does not have VR capabilities, it’s still a great example to use. Now, picture this, you are playing as Crash and need to travel through a tough stage. If you do this via VR it will be a new and wonderful experience. You will feel like you are running through a whole new digital world, and it will give you hours of fun. Increasingly we will see games take the VR route. Check out this list of the best VR games for 2023. 

With AR, the experience is even wilder. As mentioned earlier, Pokémon Go is still one of the best AR experiences around today. It uses real-world locations and lets you catch your Pokémon in the real world, all on an app. What’s also great about Pokémon Go is that you can find Pokémon, and battle other trainers, Team Rocket, and legendary Pokémon, all in real-world locations from across the globe. 

Concerts

Depending on where you are in the world, sometimes artists find it tough to travel to your location. Africa is a prime example. While South Africa will generally feature on world tours, most other African nations will not. This is where AR and VR come into play. It saves you time while giving you an experience of a lifetime. You can be chilling on your couch in Lagos while bobbing your head to all of Justin Bieber’s songs while he’s performing in New York, all on your mobile device or TV.

Museums and art

Many museums all over the world offer virtual tours, and most of them are free. Think about it this way, billions of people across the world are unable to travel. Now they can enjoy the Smithsonian all from the comfort of their couch.

Artists are also using AR and VR technologies to enable their art to transform right before your eyes. This has proved vital for up-and-coming artists who are looking to make a name for themselves. Here, artists can get quite creative and have virtual openings and campaign displays. But it’s not just that. Some artists are incorporating not only AR and VR but also robotics. 

The world is changing, and this is a good thing. For the most part, AR and VR technologies are making things easier, transforming the entertainment sector, and allowing for more accessibility, while also offering fully immersive experiences.