Virtual Reality simulation has seen major growth across London in the entertainment, education, medicine, and even accessibility training industries. The advancements in technology surrounding virtual and augmented reality are resulting in an increased interest in trying VR by Londoners. This interest has supported the breakout of VR focused gaming centres across London like Ctrl V London and Dreamland VR.
Ctrl V Owner, Anthony Duynisveld, believes that Virtual Reality gaming presents a new platform that people are excited to explore and learn about. “You’re transported to a totally different world,” says Duynisveld. Virtual Reality technology holds the ability to easily transfer into many different fields, “It’s going to transfer quite a lot into other fields. Obviously everyone goes to Youtube if they need to learn something, but now if you can program an experience using the gaming interfaces you can actually create a learning tutorial for something you could do in the real world.” This ability to make a learning experience easier, quicker, and possibly cheaper gives creators the necessary incentive to continue in technologic advancements.
Virtual Reality experience at the RCR Museum in London
London is gaining VR simulation technology in many forms across the city. With VR simulation ranging from arcade-style gaming to that of the RCR Museum featuring a Vimy Ridge themed simulation in their exhibit. The expansion of this technology only continues to grow.
With plans throughout the city for new forms of VR technology to advance teaching methods and expand outreach to the community, virtual reality gaming looks like it is here to stay. The predictions of some local VR enthusiasts even go as far as claiming virtual and augmented reality technology will replace smartphones.
Dreamland VR CEO, Chad Boutros, predicts that “for the same reasons you can’t go without your phone for a day, it’ll be the same thing with [Virtual Reality] technology.” As the technology advances, Boutros believes large corporations like Google and Apple will begin selling VR glasses. “That’s when the entire world will turn into a video game; and that’s within 5 years. So within 5 years, everyone will be in some form of virtual reality. That’s only the beginning.”
WATCH: Virtual Reality Takes London
