Gaming is always evolving. In the eighties, it was moving from cassette to cartridge to disc. In the nineties, we began to see gamepads rather than joysticks, whilst the noughties brought us motion capture and 3D worlds. The last decade has been about virtual reality and adaptive triggers, whilst the future is going to be about smart glasses.
That’s right; in the ever-evolving landscape of gaming technology, a new player has entered the scene, promising to revolutionize the way we experience our favorite virtual worlds. Smart glasses, once confined to the realms of sci-fi programs, are now making their mark on the gaming industry.
What are smart glasses, and how are they likely to disrupt modern gaming as we know it?
Table of Contents
What are smart glasses?
Traditional gamers have long relied on screens, controllers, and keyboards to provide an interactive experience. Sure, they evolve; we’ve seen that with the Nintendo 64’s rumble packs developing into the controllers we have today, but they still have certain limitations.
Smart glasses, however, help to break down these physical barriers, transporting gamers into a seamless blend of reality and virtuality. They are wearable devices equipped with augmented reality (AR) technology, seamlessly merging the digital and physical worlds – they’re also at the cross-section of fashion and technology. Ray-Ban and Meta have released smart glasses that double as luxury sunglasses, with options around frame color, lens color, and even which popular Ray-Ban model they came as, Wayfarer or Headliner. The Ray-Bans offer live streaming and recording on Facebook, as you’d expect, but functionality varies from brand to brand. Some other common features of smart glasses include GPS navigation, real-time notifications, and hands-free communication. Smart glasses can enhance daily activities by providing contextual information, offering a heads-up display for directions, messages, or even data visualization.
How will they impact gaming?
One of the most exciting prospects of smart glasses is the promise of total immersion within video games. These devices can overlay digital information onto the real world, creating an augmented gaming experience that goes beyond the confines of a conventional screen. The best way to picture this is by remembering the successful AR game Pokémon Go – it uses AR on your phone that allows you to capture Pokémon in your office or home. Smart glasses could go one further, actually putting the Pokémon into your field of vision using the glasses. When you looked at your kitchen, you could see the Pokémon there, not just on your screen.
Whether you’re exploring a fantasy realm, engaging in a virtual battle, or solving puzzles, the boundaries between the physical and digital worlds blur, allowing for an unparalleled level of engagement.
Social connection
Gaming has always been a social activity, from the days of the four controller ports on the Nintendo 64, and smart glasses are set to enhance this aspect exponentially. Picture a scenario where you and your friends can gather in a physical space, put on your smart glasses, and instantly be transported to a shared virtual gaming environment. This technology opens up a new dimension of social connectivity, making multiplayer experiences more immersive and realistic than ever before. It’s not just about playing together; it’s about being together in the digital realm.
Evolving gameplay
It’s time to say goodbye to traditional controllers and keyboards – smart glasses introduce a whole new way to interact with your games. Gesture control, eye tracking, and voice commands will become the norm, allowing for a more intuitive and natural gaming experience. Want to cast a spell? Simply gesture with your hand. Need to look around in the game? Let your eyes do the talking. This shift in interaction mechanics not only adds a layer of novelty but also brings a level of accessibility that can make gaming more inclusive for players of all skill levels.
Augmented reality
We’ve already touched on the rudimentary use of AR in gaming, and game developers are embracing the possibilities that smart glasses bring to the table. AR allows for the creation of games that seamlessly blend with the real world, providing unique and dynamic experiences. Imagine solving a mystery that unfolds in your living room or defending your base against virtual invaders that breach your actual surroundings. The integration of AR into game design opens up a treasure trove of creative possibilities, pushing the boundaries of what gaming can be.
The future
For now, smart glasses are very much a social media tool, as the Ray-Ban Meta models prove. However, the impact of smart glasses on the world of gaming is not confined to the present – it’s very much about what could happen in the future. As technology continues to advance, we can expect these devices to become sleeker and more powerful, much like the evolution from the original PlayStation to the multimedia behemoth that is the PlayStation 5. The line between reality and virtual reality will continue to blur, as it has over the last decade or so, offering gamers an unprecedented level of immersion and connectivity.
