In recent years, there has been a dramatic upsurge in virtual reality (VR) technology, a trend which is set to continue throughout 2016. It’s predicted that there’s likely to be an increasing demand for this kind of technology from a whole host of gamers who are eager to explore these virtual worlds and enhance their at-home entertainment experience. The main objective of virtual reality is to immerse yourself into another world by simply donning a VR headset. Wearing such a VR headset, with all its accompanying sights and sounds, helps to remove you mentally from your current environment and make the virtual world feel more authentic and real.

Currently, one company seems to have a stronghold on this kind of VR technology, and that’s Oculus, whose Rift headset has captured the imagination of techies and gamers alike. Certainly, the Oculus Rift and the Sony Playstation VR headset give gamers the chance to experience gaming in a whole new way, and more and more developers are beginning to adapt and introduce new games to keep up with these innovations. Developers of headsets such as these are hoping that one day they’ll be able to include other technologies that will mimic certain conditions, e.g. hot and cold temperatures and vibrations, in order to make the whole experience even more true to life.

While the initial wave of VR technology is bound to appeal to all kinds of video game enthusiasts, it also presents an exciting future for a whole range of gaming platforms. It’s already possible to log onto online gaming and casino sites and play slots such as the gladiator slot, alongside other punters and real-life dealers, so where this kind of technology can go is anyone’s guess. However, one thing is for sure: after the overwhelming positive reception for virtual reality technology at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show held in January, we’re likely to see an explosion in the take up of virtual reality headsets, with sales set to rise by 500%.

Although the idea of having to put on a pair of goggles to immerse yourself in a virtual world isn’t an appealing option for many people, new generations of VR technology may have the ability to influence other areas of our life, especially in our living spaces. However, while VR technology is very much in its infancy at the moment, it’s set to change our perception and experience of gaming, and who knows where it will lead from there.