While Virtual Reality (VR) might seem like a fairly recent technological development, it dates all the way back to the 1960s. But it wasn’t until the 1990s that VR gained traction in the gaming industry thanks to the introduction of innovative, yet still primitive arcade games and home consoles. The technology continues to evolve throughout the following decades and, nowadays, VR includes high-resolution displays, sophisticated motion tracking systems, and haptic feedback devices.
2023 has been an exciting year for VR games enthusiasts, with the release of titles such as Resident Evil Village, Firmament, Horizon Call of the Mountain, and Vertigo 2. So, what other VR titles can gamers expect in 2023 and what’s the future of the technology looking like?
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
An VR, open-world Grand Theft Auto was announced at Meta’s Connect in October 2021. The game, which was said to have been in development for several years, is expected to be released in 2023. Mark Zuckerberg himself promised that players would be able to experience the 2004 classic Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas “in a new way”. The original game is regarded as one of Rockstar’s greatest titles, lauded for its missions, characters, music, weapons, vehicles and open world.
Assassin’s Creed Nexus
Announced back in September 2020, Assassin’s Creed Nexus is a highly anticipated VR title from developers Ubisoft for Meta Quest headsets. While not much has been revealed about the game, leaks have suggested that players will be able to take on the role of beloved characters such as Cassandra, Connor, Ezio and Haymat in 20-minute linear missions.
Assassin’s Creed Nexus will also bring anything that’s expected from an entry in the franchise, including the ability to climb, pickpocket, fight with precision and do the Leap of Faith. According to recent reports, Ubisoft is expecting the game to be a hit and is allegedly discussing a sequel.
Hellsweeper VR
Hellsweeper VR is confirmed to be released for Quest 2, PC VR and PlayStation VR later this year. In this rogue-like, first-person combat game, the player takes on the role of an undead immortal who is tasked with the mission of entering hell and eliminating the twisted entities that inhabit it. Developers Mixed Realms are promising the “craziest moves in VR,” with plenty of backflips, bullet-time, wall-running and power-sliding.
What else to expect from VR?
Virtual Reality is becoming progressively more common. Companies like Meta have bet on the metaverse through VR platforms like Horizon Worlds. The platform is more focused on the social factor, allowing its users to get together with friends, explore VR spaces and partake in games and events. Despite Meta’s efforts, Horizon Worlds has struggled to retain its user base and fell short to reach its 500.000 monthly active users goal last year.
The iGaming industry, which encompasses online casinos and sportsbooks, has also tried its hand at VR. Currently, users can find VR several games like roulette and blackjack online. This comes as no surprise as the industry excels at adapting to the latest technological developments. The rise of the internet has led to the proliferation of online casinos offering a wide selection of games, which you can see when you click this link.
To conclude, the future of VR looks promising. While social platforms like Horizon Worlds haven’t been a hit, upcoming Virtual Reality games like GTA: San Andreas, Assassin’s Creed Nexus, and Hellsweeper VR are generating a lot of excitement and expectations.
