Virtual Reality: Next Innovative Arena of Game Development

Google, Apple and Microsoft are trying their best to push you in virtual reality world. And the biggest proof is their most-debated devices like HoloLens, Google Cardboard box and Apple’s VR headset (don’t have much idea for Apple VR products).

Now the question is: how virtual reality change the way users play mobile games and the way game developers make games?

This is the common topic discussed in 2014 – but it failed to take the shape because of discouraging devices. Again companies have put their foot on virtual world and this time with more confidence they are promising to change your mobile gaming experience. May be they will replace your mobiles with their devices for a new experience.

HoloLens: Put On Your Game Face

Mobile games that you love to play today will give you a mind-blowing experience in future. Let’s take an example of your favourite darling game – Minecraft. We heard many times about playing Minecraft in HoloLens is something like having an entire different experience. Some gestures are enough to build a whole virtual world using HoloLens. Users are curiously waiting for such experience.

Microsoft didn’t yet announce any gaming project for HoloLens, but it made sure that gaming will remain a key part of this device.

Google’s Cardboard for Gaming

Google’s Cardboard allows you to turn your smartphone into a virtual reality handset. Last time, we didn’t notice much craze for this device, may be the craze was reserved for 2015. Recently, Google announced the release of Pie Noon (An android app) for its own Google Cardboard device.

By strapping your smartphone on your face, you can feel like playing within virtual reality world.

Remember those childhood days, when you were getting mad to play with those cartoons in your television screen. At that time, you must have thought that why don’t we have a cartoonish colourful world or what If I could jump to the world of my favourite cartoons? Well, your wish will soon come true when you start playing with Google’s Cardboard. You will feel your presence in cartoonish world.

Oculus Rift

For entrance of VR era, a big part of credit goes to Oculus VR – an American Virtual Reality Technology company and the founder of Oculus Rift Device (Still under construction with released date announced) Having this device will truly make you realize that finally your childhood dream come true.

You have to pair this device with headphones to not see – but feel games, live events and others like real. And not just games, this device is made to see and feel what you imagine. But how? You guys have to wait to know more about it.

What’s Next?

The above devices are yet to enter, so for next you have to wait for the arrival of devices. After that, companies will see your response to improve their devices and to build more to save and improve your digital future.

Why Developers Should Start Thinking for HoloLens App Development?

2015 will remain the most memorable year because new inventions including Apple Watch, Microsoft’s HoloLens, Windows 10, Concept of Universal Apps, Augmented Reality Apps & Games and much more. 2015 is considered as Golden Year for Microsoft as we are constantly hearing news from the company. And the biggest news is a launch of HoloLens – an augmented reality device.

HoloLens is a black magic that takes you to the different world or the world of your own choice. Microsoft has introduced a new set of holographic APIs for developers to make app development easier.

Making apps for HoloLens is entirely a new experience for developers. This means that they have to learn new paradigm to create an app for a device which is not existed yet. Still, they must “yes” to HoloLens App Development – here is why.

1. Reason No. 1

HoloLens is made up of Windows Core and UAP – extremely easy for app developers to master the languages, namespaces, and APIs. WPF, Silverlight, and .Net Developers can also easily master the tricks of HoloLens App Development.

The easiest way to get started with HoloLens app development is – quickly join the Windows Insider Program. Thereafter, register for Build 2015 to learn the basics of design and development and to get regular updates of Microsoft.

2. Reason No. 2

Hologram delivers everything related to virtual world. For both, users and developers, it’s something new and completely different that is worth to give a try. Developers require creating apps delivering virtual experience along with keeping users aware of existed physical products to avoid collisions. That means – a mixed reality which keeps users connected with both real world and digital life. Developers must take the challenge to know their ability of whether they can create an app like that or not.

3. Reason No. 3

HoloLens is a commodity you can take a hold on. You are free to create any solution for it by mixing Microsoft products like sharepoint server, Microsoft Office with VSTO or anything else that drive true value to your users. This device will make your solution unique and cool at the same time. You can build something for new brands, for entertaining customers, or for helping users to ease their task.

Concluding

First, with Microsoft, you started learning custom parts and controls of sharepoint. Later, you started learning Visual Studio tools for office. With all of your knowledge and experience, you created great solutions to please your users. This time, you have to take another Microsoft challenge for the sake of your users. HoloLens will reach to users, but it prove to be worthy only if your solutions fill this device with amazing apps. Your users are key reason for you to say “yes” for HoloLens App Development.

What does it mean to make Games for Microsoft’s HoloLens?

It’s not a computer, no tablet, no ipad and not a smartphone; it’s an augmented reality device – HoloLens – a completely new experience for mobile game developers. This time you are not challenged to build an ecommerce or enterprise app, this time you are challenged to build an augmented reality game. This time you have to put all your focus, efforts and skills on windows game development or I can say windows 10 game development.

Hololens is not a touchscreen device, so you can’t build a touch-based game. Tilting is not there so you can’t build a tilting based game. Then what? How a game would be build for HoloLens?

How it works? What does it based on?

HoloLens work on three basic signals: voice, gesture and gaze. It is obvious that you have to build games working on these three signals. Let’s see how a game works like this.

Voice-based Game

During initial app days, Pocket Gems published a voice based game named All Talk. At that time, it was a unique game because it was not based on any touch, but on voice. In this game, Player A gives a clue to Player B and Player B has to recognize what Player A wants to say. For e.g. Player A says cane, his voice will be recorded and go to Player B. Player B is allowed to hear the voice for 30 seconds and he will guess the word and say something related to cane like Sugar.

This is the best example of building a voice-based game for HoloLens. Game developers can build a game similar to All Talk where group of HoloLens wearers can play online. There would be no need for voice recording as the game would be played in real-time.

Some more examples of voice-based games are: an online group can play Antakshri (an Indian song singing game), knowledge based question and answer game, truth or dare, etc.

Gesture-based Game

Minecraft is a best example to explain how great a gesture-based game could be. The below video will explain you in-depth.

You can see here a man is building a whole virtual world with extreme ease using various hand gestures. This can be a biggest boost to gaming world.

Minecraft is just a beginning, in terms of gesture, game developers can go as far as they want. Imagine a virtual gun fired with the help of gesture or a steering wheel of car driven with the help of gestures. And many possibilities are there when it comes to build an adventurous game. You can enhance it more by including voice. For e.g. it’s a game of fighting between soldiers. They can command each other with voice and fire guns with gestures.

Gaze-based Game

A gaze-based game should be an eye tracking game where you have to use your eyes to do the things. This could be like a puzzle game where you are using your eyes to find the hidden things and switch to next level. Can You Escape is a similar kind of Android game. Next example would be: you can use your eyes to control virtual characters or objects. For e.g. you can find where your enemies are and shoot them with your gun.

In Conclusion

If game developers combine all the three signals, they can end up with making a great game. They can make an adventurous game. For e.g. a fighting game between two countries. A player has to track enemies with his eyes, command others with his voice and fire the enemies with its gestures.