The perfect video game is a blend of great mechanics, alluring graphics, inviting sounds, engaging gameplay, and an intriguing story. In this age of futuristic technologies, infusing AR or VR into a game can make it stand out from the ever-competitive gaming market.
Contrary to popular belief, AR and VR games are not always expensive. In New Zealand, you can play popular VR slots at New Zealand low deposit casinos. You just need a pair of VR headsets and an account at a VR online casino.
Likewise, many AR mobile games come free of charge. You don’t even need to buy special headsets. Stick around to learn more about AR and VR games, including ways you can build the most immersive games.
What is AR/VR?
Augmented Reality
Augmented Reality layers digital images into your background so that video game characters, interior decorations, or movie images appear to be around you in real life.
AR can be manipulated using headsets or app filters. Microsoft has AR headsets (HoloLens) aimed at businesses. By comparison, Snapchat allows you to experience the technology without owning headsets.
In video games, Pokémon Go is the most popular AR game. The game uses GPS to help you find special Pokémon characters in the real world. Pokémon was such a big hit when it came out that no other AR game has captured the world the way this game did.
Augmented Reality has limitless capabilities, especially in business, shopping, real estate, and gaming. Unfortunately, AR headsets are often too expensive for the majority of people.
Virtual Reality
Virtual Reality uses special headgear to immerse you into a computer-generated environment. VR features a technology called head tracking. This allows you to explore the virtual world by moving your head around. Some headsets also support handheld controllers for a more intuitive experience.
In gaming, VR gives you an immersive gaming experience. In Gran Turismo 7, VR helps you simulate real-life racing using special controllers. In Iron Man VR, the technology lets you hover around in a jetpack while completing a slew of interesting missions.
Mixed Reality
When developers combine AR with VR capabilities, the result is something called Mixed Reality. Also called XR, Mixed Reality incorporates your surroundings with computer-generated content for a more efficient experience.
For example, an MR boxing game can take measurements of your surroundings to help you avoid objects in your house while gaming. In interior décor, MR software can record your living room’s measurements to help you find the best furniture for you.
How to Build Immersive Games Using AR/VR
Ultra-realistic visuals, pint point controls, and intuitive controls make AR/VR video games the future of the industry. While the technology is amazing, creating a successful VR game requires serious work.
Here’s an overview of what it takes to create an incredible AR/VR video game:
Realistic Virtual Simulation
AR and VR games are known for their exceptional ability to augment reality. To create an amazing VR game, it needs powerful sensors that can help a player simulate movements using their body parts.
While there are plenty of AR/VR games out there, only a few of them achieve the kind of simulation that gets everyone interested. Some of the best examples include Beat Saber, Half-Life: Alyx, Moss: Book II, and No Man's Sky.
When done wrong, an AR/VR game can be abysmal. Being in a virtual environment where sensors don’t work, the storyline sounds boring and the visuals are subpar can make you hate VR.
The solution is to invest heavily in the development process. A VR game shouldn’t just have great graphics. It also must stand out in gameplay.
Great Game Mechanics
A game’s rules and progression can make or break it. This is especially true when it is an AR or VR game. People have high standards for VR games. They expect it to be perfect.
To keep players hooked in an AR game; it needs simple, rewarding rules. A good game is easy to understand. You know what to expect at every step of the journey. This builds anticipation and makes a game more enjoyable.
VR and AR spice up mechanics with motion and sensor-based controls. Everything has to work perfectly when it comes to controls. If a game simulates football, kicking movements need to work precisely. Headballs should move in the right direction. Otherwise, players become frustrated.
Intriguing Characters
The most successful games have intriguing, memorable characters. Think of Lara Croft, Mario, Pac-Man, Sonic the Hedgehog or Agent 47. You could forget some details about Tomb Raider. But you can’t forget Lara.
Characters with a unique personality get people interested. Some people may not like a game's storyline. But they play because of a specific character. In light of that information, put a lot of effort into creating unique characters.
Superheroes need to have the best features. In an action-based game, the main character should be smart, fast, powerful, and empathetic. He or she also needs to stand out from the main characters in other games.
Depending on your target audience, you could also give your characters a funny, quirky, or sarcastic personality. Every main character needs to be unique. This gives players options and makes a game appealing to a wide audience.
An Immersive Storyline
The most engaging games have valid stories. Stories pique people's interest. It doesn't matter if it is a simple slot machine. It needs a script that makes it unique. A great story is essential for an AR/VR open-world game.
For people to spend hours in a game, they must know what it is all about. They should know the good guys and the bad guys. Additionally, a great game should create suspense, side quests, humor, and other elements associated with good storytelling.
When the story's great mechanics work smoothly, people might overlook graphics and soundtracks. A story is what keeps a player hooked to a game for hours. If designed using top-tier controls, visuals, and other features; a good story can turn any game into an instant classic.