Augmented Reality & Gaming: Playing with the World as We See It
There are so many ways we humans are playing with our perception of the world and Augmented Reality (AR) is our latest version. Augmented Reality is used to enrich our perception of the world by bringing elements of the digital world to us as immersive sensory experiences. What was once considered to be ‘science fiction’ is now real.
What is Augmented Reality?
The dictionary defines augmented as “having been made greater in size or value” and AR does just that to the world around us where it is enhanced in one way or another. Variations of AR used in a number of different industries in many ways – from automobiles where you can see the distance to another object in your rear-view mirror or sporting events on TV where you can see the scores overlaid on the field to the gaming industry where virtual objects are placed in the world around us. Pokémon GO, for example.
How is Augmented Reality Created?
AR requires a device that recognises the world around the user and then simulates digital information or objects onto it. The user can then interact or manipulate this digital information as required. AR devices vary in size and technology and range from a simple smartphone, to digital glasses to headsets.
Where is Augmented Reality Used?
Augmented Reality is used in a number of different ways. It can be used for educational purposes where medical students can learn to perform complex surgeries or apps like Google translate which help with new languages. As mentioned earlier, AR is used extensively in navigation. Pilots use AR systems to display altitude markers and the like directly in their line of sight so their attention does not need to be diverted elsewhere while flying. Mobile applications are going to be a big part of Augmented Reality in the near future. A great example is the Ikea app where consumers can virtually place items they want to buy in their homes to see how it looks before making a decision or Snapchat filters. And of course, there is the gaming industry where AR is used in a myriad of ways with games like Pokémon GO and Temple Treasure Hunt Game taking the world by storm. Even the movie industry is dabbling in AR with the prestigious Cannes Film Festival possessing a pavilion dedicated to AR films.
Sure, AR is still in its infancy, but it’s going to grow – and grow fast!
Augmented Reality in Numbers
- A whopping 1 billion smartphone users will use AR content at least once in 2018
- The AR market figure is expected to reach 39 billion USD by 2023 with a CAGR of 55.71% from 2016 where it was valued at 2.39 billion USD
- The AR gaming market is expected to reach 93 billion USD by 2023, growing at a CAGR of 152.7% during the forecast period 2017–2023
- The AR software market is expected to reach 22 billion USD by 2022
Even if one were to term these figures as optimistic, it is hard to downplay the fact that Augmented Reality is an industry that is not just coming into its own but is going to be booming in the near future.
If there ever was a time to enter this novel industry, it is now! With the applications and uses of AR growing by the day, the demand for qualified personnel to work in the field is, too!
Enter Seamedu School of Pro-Expressionism.
Seamedu offers courses on VFX and Animation and Game and Mobile Software Development that can help you make your foray into the exciting world of Augmented Reality. Do contact us for more information or enrol now.
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