How VR Headsets are Set to Transform the E-Sports Community 

Anyone who was lucky enough to grow up during the 1980s or 1990s will likely remember how revolutionary video games were at the time. Not only did they provide a novel form of entertainment, but they offered a host of different genres to choose from. Most experts will argue that electronic sports (e-sports) were born during these decades.

Thanks to innovative technology, the landscape has certainly advanced over the years. Users can now enjoy an unparalleled sense of realism due to amazingly detailed graphics alongside the presence of AI (artificial intelligence). However, we also need to remember that virtual reality (VR) is set to make digital waves in the near future. What can players expect and how might this revolution forever alter the industry as a whole?

From Bulky to Convenient and Streamlined

One of the issues which served to confound earlier VR headsets was their physical construction. They were extremely bulky and each unit needed to be hardwired into a gaming port. Furthermore, the number of games which supported these systems was quite limited. When we finally take into account a rather hefty price tag, it is clear to see why VR took some time to catch on.

The good news is that this technology continues to advance at a breakneck pace. Wearable technology has become much more ergonomic and the advent of wireless communications provides users with a greater degree of mobility. The manufacturing processes have likewise been streamlined; leading to affordable prices. These are some of the reasons why we are now witnessing a growing number of well-known software developers jumping on the proverbial bandwagon. However, what can we expect from the games themselves?

A World Within a World

It is a well-known fact that esports is great entertainment. We are not only referring to first-person gameplay in this sense. There are now entire communities dedicated to placing wagers on the latest virtual competitions, so it comes as no surprise that the popularity of Finnish e-sports is on the rise, for example, the KOVA online gaming portal is a great example here).

The real advancements should nonetheless arise from the immersive virtual environment that these bundles will provide the average user. Three-dimensional backgrounds, organic interactions with NPCs (non-playable characters) and bespoke customisation options are a handful of possibilities which AR headsets should offer.

Another interesting possibility is the option for players to become "linked" within the world of augmented reality. This opens up an entirely new level of organic interaction and it will likely impact the ways in which the games themselves are developed. Hands-free controls and haptic response systems should also serve to provide a highly immersive end-user experience.

Sooner as Opposed to Later

Although some of the observations mentioned above may appear to be nothing more than science fiction, the groundwork has already been laid. Lightning-fast processing speeds, the growing prevalence of 5G communications and affordable technology are now becoming commonplace. Simply stated, it appears to be only a matter of time before fans of virtual sports can fully leverage all that the digital landscape has to offer.