There’s no denying that VR is a pretty fantastic medium for entertainment. We finally have the technology to start making science fiction a reality, although we’re not quite ready to enter the Matrix just yet. Many people assume that virtual reality is the province of video games. Although there are indeed a significant number of excellent VR games, there’s much more that can be done with the medium. In this post, we explore some of the most unique and engaging things you can do with virtual reality, aside from gaming.
Live Entertainment
We touched on this in an earlier post, but Oculus recently launched a live entertainment platform for VR. Oculus Venues allows owners of Oculus Go and Samsung Gear VR headsets to experience live concerts, sports events, and comedy shows from the comfort of their own homes. The service launched at the end of May 2018 and has had some positive feedback so far. The BBC also streamed their World Cup coverage in virtual reality. Home entertainment is getting increasingly interactive, and VR is playing a big part in that.
Travel
“…with a virtual reality headset, you can experience a broad variety of exotic locations without having to leave your front door.”
Travel is expensive, exhausting, and challenging to fit into your busy life. However, with a virtual reality headset, you can experience a broad variety of exotic locations without having to leave your front door. Apps such as Google Earth VR, YouVisit, and a variety of guided tour apps give an immersive look at some of the most famous destinations around the world.
Time Travel
Actually travelling back in time is probably impossible, but a selection of companies is developing the next best thing. Strapping on a headset can help you step back in time to explore cities or historical relics with historical accuracy. Digital devotion has a ‘time travel bus tour’ through 19th Century Luxemburg, while Get Your Guide provided a guided tour of Rome’s Colosseum.
Swap Bodies
One of the most interesting (or troubling) VR projects that we’ve seen is The Machine to Be Another. Their ‘Swap Genders’ program for Oculus Rift aims to place users in the body of someone of the opposite sex. The concept is that you and a partner strip down as far as you’re comfortable, before donning a headset and head-mounted camera. Each sees the feed from the other’s camera and has to mimic the actions the other is making. We’ll leave it up to your imagination as to what the implications of this are.
Create Art
Apps such as Quill and Tilt Brush allow users to create life-sized art projects in a virtual space. There is a whole host of different painting implements you can choose from, and you can be as creative as you possibly want. Imaginative types are sure to enjoy such projects.
Final Thoughts
This list barely touches the surface of some of the unique and innovative uses that virtual reality technology can be put to. We’re sure there’s a great deal more to come from the industry, and it’s exciting to look ahead. Let us know what particular experience you’d like to see from a VR headset in the comments section below.
