7 Ways VR Technology Is Destined To Change the Face of Digital Marketing

by Robert James, Guest Contributor

Technology has successfully brought a wide array of gifts towards humankind over the course of years. All these advancements help make our lives more convenient and entertaining in one way or another. Virtual Reality developments have revolutionized how we interact with technology and this is just the beginning. Different spheres of business are implementing VR advancements in their work regimes which facilitate in conveying their offerings in radicalized ways.
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Digital marketing, in particular, is bound to reach new heights with this continuous development in the world of VR. Ideas are no longer mere ideas and marketers are the globe are identifying the potential of incorporating this opportunity VR brings in the marketing efforts. Let us consider some prominent ways in which VR is changing the very face of digital marketing capabilities.  

Experience details beforehand
VR technology presents the greatest platform to showcase your services before people actually get a chance to experience them. A number of services providing companies can help people experience the atmosphere which they intend to offer pre-emptively through VR application. Architects in particular implement VR services to provide a decent idea as to what the final shape of a house or a building will look like.

The application is only getting better with the passage of time. With the advancing technology, VR will allow you to visit the geographical location before you visit them. if you can’t decide which vacation spot suits you best, just experience the VR beforehand and make the right decision. Able marketers can easily grasp such opportunities, therefore the better their efforts in creating the best VR environment, the most interested clients will be. Headsets and game controllers will soon become mere accessories as a part of a much more detailed experience where all your senses will be engaged. Jackets and vests with sensory receptors have already been introduced and future applications for VR can be as detailed as swimming in a luxury pool in a faraway resort.

A recent example was of the Marriott Teleporter campaign where a machine was introduced, capable of transporting people to new destinations through the experience provided. A trio of sound, video, and sensations was used to achieve that. Users could even experience something as prestigious as a seven-star Armani hotel in Burj Khalifa, Dubai.

Immersive storytelling at its finest
Since VR presents the opportunity to engage with objects and surroundings in detail, it is only natural that the underlying experience facilitating it should be immersive. Various game production companies working on VR developments have identified this need and therefore the latest offerings are supported by engaging storylines, which can take you to entirely new worlds. I think we can all recall the craze Pokémon Go brought with it. Imagine something like that in a VR environment where you engage with your friendly monsters and the environment as well. Developers have realized with the massive popularity of titles like Witcher 3 and Red Dead Redemption 2 what people expect from games nowadays. It's only a matter of time before we start seeing VR titles with similar story depths. With a number of VR offerings, one thing to be kept in mind while streaming content through a computer system or even in a standalone setup is the internet requirement. The minimum consideration even for developers should be something equal to an att internet offerings or those of Comcast.

From a digital marketer’s perspective, you can create an immersive experience behind your offerings which makes people connect with you from a completely new perspective. Creating relatable stories behind business ideas has become a common practice in the world of today. We can see a number of food chains doing this. With VR, it can be possible to help people connect better.  

Emotional bonding reaching new heights
The world of VR recently experienced Moss, which is a game that lets you enjoy various adventures of Quill, a mouse with dreams and inspirations to achieve greatness. At a certain instance in the game players get to greet an adorable companion puppy. The reason for mentioning that a certain instance is that it literally drove the majority of the audience to shed tears of happiness. VR technology allowed that emotional experience to be so overwhelming that the players fell in love with it. This is just one example where VR holds tremendous potential for emotional bonding. From a marketing perspective, bonding is the key ingredient, which ensures long-term relationships with customers. With the advent of the newest applications of VR, marketers can create such experiences around certain offerings, which can penetrate masses from an emotional perspective. Emotional marketing is being practiced for a long time now, as we can see in ads given out by popular companies like Coke, Nestle, PepsiCo, and many others. Imagine what will happen when all these major competitors incorporate VR applications for the very same purpose. Sounds ecstatic, doesn’t it? We think so too!

Oculus Quest is the next big thing
Considering some of the latest VR technologies set to be introduced, Oculus Quest is among the top ones. It is basically a VR headset which promises an experience similar to that of Oculus Rift, but without the need of a PC. This standalone VR experience is the first ever headset to include the Oculus Insight technology, which provides enhanced tracking capabilities. Four ultra wide sensors and computer help determine a person’s position in real-time. Since there are no wires connecting it to a PC, users are bound to get more freedom with their movements. Guardian tech technology allows you to create virtual boundaries for a physical space so that you don’t bump into walls or other obstructions. A big perk here is that certain games and other VR created environments let you choose the size of the virtual space through maps and scenarios which increases the convenience for users.

The primary opportunity with this headset is for game manufacturing companies. Marketers can even release demo versions for non-VR titles to impress the crowds and let them know about the immersive experience their games hold. The company has a dedicated app section for submission where non-game applications can also be submitted. This presents a great opportunity for companies to benefit from this upcoming headset and market themselves from a completely new perspective.

What is Vive?
Reality System Announced recently at the CES 2019 event, HTC announced their Vive Reality System which became the major highlight of the event based on its future potential. Set to power the Vive Cosmos, it is the newest VR platform introduced by the company. Friends will be able to interact with each other in a social environment from the comfort of their homes. Before its introduction, HTC Vive’s array of headsets were dependant on the SteamVR for their functionality. With the introduction of Cosmos, HTC now has its very own inside-out tracking system which gives the platform a high degree of independence. This presents a great opportunity for digital marketers to make sure of the newest system and the virtual environment it brings with it. The social section can include interactive adverts with the consent of the company and the users which will provide an immersive experience that is destined to make an impression upon users.

Eye tracking is getting widely popular
Eye-tracking techniques are continuously getting better with the advancements in VR technology. User’s gestures are being replaced with mere eye movements. Entire menus and be opened and scrolled through simply by gazing at them. From a marketing perspective, the biggest issue has been the bounce rate as viewers usually get agitated with the overwhelming ads and their increasing numbers. With eye tracking, that process is very well streamlined as you can instantly open and scroll through something which catches your interest.

Star Wars
VR is just the beginning The latest application coming over the previously discussed Oculus Quest is Vader immortal. This is a very interesting entry into the Star Wars virtual reality series which has the audiences pumped up all across the globe. The game is in no way limited to just the Quest though and will be available for Rift owners as well. The world of Star Wars has always been a source of fascination for fans and this VR entry is sure to entice audiences all over again with the potential it holds. This is just the beginning though. Gamer developers can pick a hint from this development and market their own products accordingly. We can soon expect VR developments for popular gaming franchises like Lord of the Rings and the Witcher. The possibilities are endless and we surely can't wait to see how things develop.

Author Bio:
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Robert James is an MIS with a vast experience and research in tech and entertainment industries. He also likes to write in order to deliver the latest news regarding these industries and enlighten audiences regarding the various happenings. Robert recently covered a story on the Warner Bros CEO Tsujihara's Scandal which generated major hype. Besides this, he indulges in MMA fighting in his leisure time.

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