<strong>How AR & VR is set to revolutionize the Indian gaming landscape</strong>

AR and VR will bring about a revolution in the world and especially in the online gaming sector. Much like science fiction come true, soon we’ll be entertaining ourselves in this metaverse, thanks to a new interface that VR and AR combined look set to provide.

According to International Data Corporation, AR/VR generated revenue of US$ 12 billion in 2020, which is projected to increase to US$ 72.8 billion in 2024. Currently, 80% of the revenue is contributed by the gaming industry.

Despite being similar technologies with names that sound almost the same, virtual reality and augmented reality are entirely different. Both these use cases enable gamers to experience certain things they wouldn’t otherwise.

Augmented reality replicates artificial things in a real environment whereas VR creates an artificial environment to inhabit. In augmented reality, 3D graphics are used to superimpose computer-generated images over the user’s view of the real world. This is possible because computers make use of sensors and algorithms to determine the orientation of a camera. 

The most important differentiator between the two is that VR completely replaces or hides your real world with a highly realistic artificial environment while AR enhances your current reality by adding a computer-generated image on top of it.

These technologies together help to create a realistic image along with sound and other sensations to offer an imaginary setting which stimulates a gamer’s physical presence in the environment. In other words, they offer what you might call mixed reality, in which the real world and virtual worlds seamlessly merge. When games are embedded in real-world objects, AR and VR make it possible to play, for example, in a virtual museum, theatre, jungle or in a cricket stadium.

Another factor contributing to the growth of VR is that unlike traditional gaming, which requires players to be physically present in the same room, VR offers unlimited opportunities to be sociable. This enables online gamers to connect to each other more naturally and build better relationships.

The Indian gaming industry has evolved from its humble beginnings to break gender and economical barriers and has transcended the limits of age to offer something for everyone. India has one of the largest youth populations around the world and is soon on its path to becoming the world’s leading gaming destination. With such a massive opportunity to capture brand exposure and consumer loyalty, the online video game industry in India is ripe for augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) applications.

According to research, currently, Asia Pacific dominates the global VR gaming market with a 40% share of global revenue and is expected to do so for the next 5-7 years.

Since internet penetration and accessibility are the growth drivers of mobile gaming, the 5G technology rollout will further accelerate the adoption of AR/VR with its virtually non-existent latency and high bandwidth.

5G enabled-mobile devices will further give a strong push to youngsters from tier two and three cities in India who are already taking up gaming as a full-time career. Faster downloads would mean faster delivery of existing experiences with the ability to deliver more complex, large, and immersive worlds to gamers. The online industry is already looking forward to cloud gaming and the impact of 5G on this technology. Even though cloud gaming technology is still in its infancy, it still holds immense potential in democratizing gaming and bringing it to the masses. The advent of 5G will ensure a better cloud gaming experience for gamers with the help of edge computing which will also allow gamers without high-end gaming systems or hardware to play the latest AAA games.

An upsurge in the community of gamers across India will enable game developers and storytellers to work on more immersive and engrossing gaming experiences.

Bottom line:

The potential for leveraging AR and VR to deliver differentiated customer experiences is immense. In the foreseeable future, AR and VR will gradually transform the marketing landscape from being a luxury to a necessity for gaming companies. Just as keyboards and screens reshaped how we interacted with computers, so this new interface will be a transformative step to revolutionising online gaming.

This article has been written by Naveen Goswami, Head of Innovation, Witzeal Technologies