A brief history of Virtual Reality (VR) in gaming
Virtual Reality (VR) gaming has come a long way in the past few years. Over the past decade, gaming has transitioned from a purely two-dimensional experience to one that is fully immersive in every way possible. As technology has advanced, VR has become more and more accessible, allowing people to experience games in ways that were once impossible.
In the early days of VR gaming (early 1990s), the technology was too expensive and the resolution too poor to create experiences that were playable from the comfort of the gamer’s home. It wasn’t until the early 2000s that more affordable and higher resolution VR experiences began to appear. These experiences relied on special head-mounted displays, such as the Oculus Rift, in order to create a more immersive experience.
Since then, gaming technology has advanced and the quality of VR experiences has improved greatly. In fact, many PC gamers now expect an immersive VR experience with their gaming rigs, with some dedicated VR-only games being released every year.
What new PC VR experiences can gamers look forward to in 2021?
The coming year promises to bring some of the most exciting VR experiences yet. PC gamers can look forward to a variety of new experiences and titles that are sure to enhance the virtual reality gaming experience. Here are some of the most highly anticipated VR games and experiences that PC gamers can look forward to in 2021:
Half-Life: Alyx
Half-Life: Alyx is a prequel to the classic Half-Life series. Developed by Valve, Half-Life: Alyx is a fully immersive first-person shooter set in the Half-Life universe. Gamers will be able to wield the power of the gravity glove to solve puzzles, manipulate objects, and explore an interactive world. The game is expected to be the most graphically impressive VR experience to date, and has been met with overwhelming excitement from gamers and critics alike.
The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners
The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners aims to bring a new level of horror to the VR gaming experience. Developed by Skydance Interactive, this zombie-filled adventure puts the player in the middle of a post-apocalyptic New Orleans, where they must fight the living and the dead in order to survive. This zombie survival title promises to bring an emotional and immersive experience to the VR genre.
Star Wars: Tales from the Galaxy’s Edge
Star Wars: Tales from the Galaxy’s Edge is set to be the most impressive Star Wars VR experience yet. Developed by ILMxLAB and Oculus, this game takes players to the planet of Batuu, allowing them to explore the Star Wars universe from the comfort of their living room. Players will be able to interact with familiar characters, explore the environment, and engage in combat. It promises to be an unmissable experience for Star Wars and VR fans alike.
The Persistence
The Persistence by Firesprite Games follows a crew of astronauts as they attempt to survive on a crumbling and procedurally generated spaceship. An intense and terrifying experience, The Persistence uses a combination of roguelike and VR elements to keep the player on their toes as they fight to survive.
Phantom: Covert Ops
Phantom: Covert Ops by nDreams is a stealth game with a unique twist—it’s a kayaking simulator. Set on the shrouded Russian coastline, the player takes control of a highly skilled operator who must sneak and kayak through enemy lines undetected. This thrilling experience is sure to keep gamers on the edge of their seats.
Wrapping Up
These are just a few of the exciting VR experiences that PC gamers can look forward to in 2021. As technology continues to improve, virtual reality gaming is sure to become even more immersive and engaging. So, keep an eye out for these and other exciting VR experiences as they come to PC in 2021!
Image Credit: Pexels