Virtual reality is slowly making its way into the mainstream, and it will soon start to have a massive impact on the entertainment industry. Developers in a range of media have strived to increase immersion levels for some time, and VR offers an effective way to do that.
Immersive storytelling has already begun, and VR will soon become one of the main ways to put users at the centre of works of fiction.
Online Casinos Could Integrate VR to Boost Immersion
VR needs a few catalysts to help it enter the mainstream over the next few years, and online casinos are expected to be at the forefront of the technology’s integration. Digital gambling games are constantly evolving, and now many online slots with jackpots come with detailed storylines. There are titles like Rusty & Curly, Fishing Trawler, and Dragon, which all feature immersive themes. These are designed to draw players into the game world and offer diverse experiences.
Some slot developers have already experimented with VR, anticipating that it will be the next major development in the iGaming sector. In these test games, players have entered a VR world that fits with the theme of the game. This could be a popular move in the future, with VR able to enhance and expand the narrative. For instance, in a Wild West offering, players could be transported to a dusty town filled with saloons, where they would get a sense that they had travelled back in time.
VR Can Offer a Non-Linear Narrative Approach
VR will have an impact on entertainment outside of gaming as well, with television and filmmakers likely to incorporate it. It will bring about an evolution in the way narrative is used and could lead to a move away from traditional linear storytelling. VR narratives could eschew the use of a defined beginning, middle, and end, and offer a non-linear approach that focuses on decisions and interactions.
This would allow audiences to explore stories at their own pace, with bespoke experiences that morph to fit with each individual’s interactions. It would represent a major shift from passive observation to active participation in storytelling. There are already some examples of this, such as Invasion and The Under Presents that have played with this idea of full immersion within a narrative.
There Could be a Huge Focus on Interactive Environments
With the advent of VR storytelling, writers will have to completely change their approach and focus on a wider range of factors. The most important part of this process will be in developing an interactive environment in which the viewer’s actions impact the story and drive it forward.
Along with the immersive setting that fits with the content’s themes, it will need to include characters that viewers can interact with. Conversations with these NPCs could lead to new developments in the story for viewers to explore.
The way we currently enjoy stories could be set for a drastic shift in the years ahead, thanks to VR. VR storytelling will involve high levels of immersion, in which interacting with the environment moves the plot forward.
