Bingo is one of the world’s most beloved forms of entertainment, and it has recently undergone a major resurgence online. In its digital form, the game has been able to reach more people than ever, and the playing demographic has broadened considerably.
A massive factor in this has been the integration of new technology to make bingo more accessible. There’s no doubt that bingo sites will soon start to add virtual reality to enhance the game further, and this could act as a catalyst that helps VR enter the mainstream.
Bingo Has Flourished in Digital Form
The 1980s and 1990s used to be considered the golden age of bingo, but future historians will look back on the 2020s as a more booming time for the ball game. Online bingo at Paddy Power has been at the forefront of the revolution, with their site highlighting how a wide scope of games can encourage more people to play. Along with the various bingo rooms on offer, there are also hybrid titles like Slingo Money Train.
When players used to play bingo in community settings, they were only able to take part in one game. Now, they have the choice of themed rooms that are aimed to suit different personalities. There are even live streamed games such as Lightning Lotto Live available, providing another option to draw people in. The introduction of live streaming at bingo sites underlines their commitment towards immersive experiences, which is why VR is likely to be incorporated soon, as covered by Forbes.
VR Will Enhance Online Bingo Further
Aside from digitalizing the game itself, bingo developers have tried to recreate the atmosphere of the bingo hall online. When you enter a bingo room like Cash Cubes or Spirit Twister, you’ll find it filled with like-minded players. The chat rooms within the games allow you to socialize with these people, just as you would in the real world.
VR could take this one step further and lead to virtual bingo games in which you can see other players around you. Developers have started to make these games on platforms like the Oculus Rift S, but they haven’t become widespread at online bingo sites yet.
VR Could be Mainstream by 2030
According to projections by The Insight Partners, the VR market will be worth more than $441.84 billion by 2030. This suggests that the technology will be mainstream at that time, with a vast proportion of the global population using a headset.
For VR to reach this stage, it will need major industries like online bingo to back it and promote it to the masses. If interesting and innovative games are released that require players to wear a headset, more players may feel the need to try out the technology.
For VR to go mainstream, it will need the backing of massive industries like the online bingo sector. Online bingo sites have always evolved with new technology in the past, so it is highly likely that they will start to use more VR content soon.