Virtual Reality is, depending on who you asked, either the next big thing or just a passing fad. Financial analysts have predicted that the VR and AR market combined will be worth insane amounts of money by 2020. However, recent numbers from Valve would suggest that despite initial interest, VR growth has stalled. Sony is releasing their VR headset next month which might drastically change everything, but that is pure speculation. Here in Singapore, can Virtual Reality really take off? Will Singaporeans really spend thousands of dollars for a headset which right now doesn’t have that much content?
The current state of VR in Singapore
Right now, it is not easy being a fan of VR in Singapore. Major technology companies such as NVIDIA, AMD, and the computer manufacturers are pushing to buy VR-ready components and headsets, but so far the only way to get your hands on an Oculus Rift or an HTC Vive is to attend a trade show or launch event. You can order it online from a distributor overseas and deliver it via special post, but that is even more expensive.
image courtesy: sgcafe.com
That is not to say that VR headsets are not on the way. PlayStation VR is launching next month, and a Singapore release should be on the cards. Likewise, sources at Asus have told VR Zone unofficially that HTC at least is looking to start making the headset available in Singapore soon. Play Nation, a gaming cafe which is opening a third branch soon, has also said they have ordered Oculus Rift headsets. Premium VR headset are definitely on the way, that is not a concern. It is just right now, there are very few options to really get into the technology.
image courtesy: pcgamer.com
The only serious option available is mobile VR devices, like the Samsung Gear VR. These are not bad experiences, far from it. However, because the experience you can have is limited to the power of your smartphone, as well as a lack of proper controllers makes it a far more barebones experience. Aside from cool videos and basic gaming, this is really not the same thing.
Making VR experiences
image courtesy: dreadcentral.com
Despite the relative lack of VR in Singapore, there are already those developing experiences for when it finally arrives. Last week I mentioned two different companies looking at difference ways of implementing VR, and that was just the first responses on Google. PropertyGuru and HBO have both used VR to help with their marketing in recent months, and the response from these have been positive. At the very least creators are excited about the arrival of Virtual Reality in Singapore. However, whether it will catch on is a completely different question. The first test of this will be how well the PSVR sells next month. Then, whenever the Vive and Rift finally become available in Singapore, we shall see how well they sell. Personally, I hope it does, because VR is crazy amounts of fun.
Will you be getting your hands on a VR headset when they release? Do you already have one? Let us know in the comments.
