How Will VR Change Computers Moving Forward

Many industries have been changed completely because of computers and the advantages they provide. However, it looks like it's time that another technology comes around and changes computers.

The technology we're talking about is none other than virtual reality and we believe big changes are on the horizon for the internet and computers as a whole through its influence. So if you're interested in digital worlds and the possibilities that they could bring us, stick around to see if you agree.

Picture 1 of How Will VR Change Computers Moving Forward

"Amazing digital globe in the Miraikan" by tokyofortwo is marked with CC BY-NC-SA 2.0.

The Internet Just Became Another Inhabitable World

Although the internet is still quite young, we might be facing a huge overhaul with the digital space it could become. Mark Zuckerberg has spoken about places like this recently with his Metaverse, but this VR world theory can apply to just about every existing entity on the internet. Sports stadiums can come to life in your living room, trying on those new pair of shoes can happen in your kitchen before you buy them, and the online casino industry could be its own city, similar to a digital Las Vegas in your basement.

To expand on just one of those points, who hasn't asked themselves "wouldn't it be great to have bingo near me?". To be able to search for halls near you is great, as the in-person experience is arguably the most immersive way to play bingo. With the improvement in virtual reality tech, it's possible to have an experience similar to that in a bingo hall, using nothing but a visor on your computer desk. If VR can give us virtual bingo halls whenever we need them and we already have online search engines dedicated to finding physical locations, we can have the best of both worlds when it comes to bingo. And the possibilities don't just stop at one game.

Big poker tournaments can take place where you choose and the same goes for the rest of the people playing. It won't always be necessary to buy tickets to every big event because they can be held anywhere. This concept can then be applied to the casino industry as a whole to create an experience somewhere between real life and playing cards online behind a screen. With this new technology, we can inhabit worlds within worlds.

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"Work setup Oct 2011" (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0) by melo

PC Games Will Focus More On The New Tech

On a smaller scale, the number of PC games making VR a focus will start to skyrocket and big studios will venture into the arena more confidently. While that may seem inconsequential, it could very well breed a new "favourite genre" similar to how arcade game, single-player games, first-person shooters, and battle royale games all hogged the spotlight.

There are certainly plenty of trends to look out for currently, but with this new technology, we could see something completely new and unique. Imagine a dating sim puzzle where the NPCs are highly intelligent AI. The only way to progress through the game is to prove that you fully understand each character and can even point out mannerisms. While that might be a little too adventurous to conceptualise, something just as out there could really take the world by storm and VR would be the major catalyst to that.

Picture 3 of How Will VR Change Computers Moving Forward

"Oculus Rift virtual reality headset" (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0) by Aatu Outinen

New Hardware On The Horizon

While it might not be the best time to talk hardware considering the chip shortages affecting the world right now, chances are those same chips will be used in a whole new roster of hardware that VR users will need to buy. Visors, haptic suits, and specialised controllers are just some peripherals we know of right now. But if you're going to want the full experience, chances are, the cost of all these pieces will roughly add up to what you could buy a system for now.

A big part of VR's success will be companies being able to make those units more affordable for the average household. Even when that happens, be prepared to hunt for the perfect VR loadout for what you'll need. If you think building a computer can send you down a rabbit hole, just wait for virtual reality.

Kareem Winters

Update 24 March 2022