With gamescom just around the corner, virtual reality will be more prominent than ever this year. Gamers are also showing tremendous interest in the new technology, as the German Games Industry Association (BIU) has noted in the run-up to the event.
According to a recent press release, more than one in three internet users (35 percent) in Germany already intend to use virtual reality headsets for gaming in the future. Interest is particularly high among younger age groups: 62 percent of 14- to 19-year-old internet users would like to use virtual reality headsets for gaming, while among 20- to 29-year-olds, it's almost one in two (46 percent). But curiosity about experiencing games in this new way is also strong among older age groups. Nearly four out of ten (38 percent) of 30- to 39-year-old internet users would like to use virtual reality headsets for gaming in the future, and almost as many (37 percent) of 40- to 49-year-olds. Even among internet users over 50, one in five (20 percent) shows great interest in the new devices. This was announced today by the BIU – German Games Industry Association – based on a representative survey of German internet users conducted by GfK.
"Virtual reality glasses offer a completely new gaming experience. Although most models will only be released in the coming weeks and months, there is great interest, also due to the many very positive testimonials from people who have already been able to use virtual reality glasses." BIU Managing Director Dr. Maximilian Schenk explains the interest. "We expect virtual reality glasses to become firmly established in the gaming market in the coming years and to provide impetus for further growth and completely new game concepts."
Project Morpheus & Co. as a trend at gamescom…
Virtual reality is one of the trends at this year's gamescom, the world's largest event for computer and video games, which takes place in Cologne from August 5th to 9th under the theme "Next Level of Entertainment". Many well-known virtual reality headsets, such as Sony's Project Morpheus, Oculus VR's Rift, and HTC's Vive, are about to be launched.
This year's gamescom already offers a glimpse into the potential of this new technology for the computer and video game industry. Virtual reality headsets also have numerous applications in other entertainment sectors. For example, the technology can be used to create an interactive 360-degree view in films shot with special cameras, a feature previously only available in games. Live events such as sporting events and concerts can also be experienced with virtual reality headsets, regardless of location or time, as if the viewer were physically present. Many possibilities are emerging for how this new technology from the gaming industry can be used by other sectors as well.
The VR headset is expected to be available in stores from 2016 onwards.
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