Virtual Reality is Ripening

The technology-enablers for virtual reality is ripening and about to turn a big corner. Many startup opportunities that will flourish in the next decade around virtual reality.

Virtual reality is an immersive experience where you perceive that your surroundings are totally different than reality. This is different than augmented reality which overlays virtual elements on top of reality (e.g. Google glass might overlay coupon info about stores as you approach them from the street).

Here are the reasons I believe virtual reality is ripening:

In March, at the GPU Technology Conference, I was able to demo a pair of Oculus VR glasses which provided a fantastic sense of presence in the game. You could feel a sense of vertigo by climbing some stairs and looking over the balcony. It was surreal.
The hardware and software tools are available and sufficient to provide a high-quality experience.
Products are coming out, such as Omni which has raised close to $1M on Kickstarter, that enable you to walk/run, shoot, and turn to make the game feel even more real. Just watch the video of Omni on the Kickstarter page.

It is incredible to think about what can be done with competent virtual reality systems.

Do you think virtual reality is turning a corner? Will virtual reality games become a standard experience in households?

Related articles