We don’t hear the term “mixed reality” too often just yet, but it’s probably the most appropriate way to encapsulate the virtual and augmented reality growth we’ve seen in the last two years. VR and AR work differently, but both use digital creations to alter how we see the world around us, and both are very exciting developments in tech. When it’s all said and done, mixed reality could also make a pretty serious impact on travel, or at least how many of us get inspired for and plan trips.
Here are three ways how.
1.) Previewing Cities
Most of us are in the habit of Googling places we might visit, or flipping through travel guides in bookstores (or both). Though we like to be surprised, and we like the experiences once we arrive at destinations to feel original and genuine, we also like to have a very clear idea of what we’re stepping into. Well, we can now get that kind of idea by actually “stepping into” these places – at least virtually. Google Earth VR has actually existed for some time (and is exactly what it sounds like), and has also partnered with Street View to bring your views to street-level. It’s an incredible development, and something that allows people planning trips to strap on a VR headset (even a cheap one like Google Cardboard and a compatible smartphone) and explore foreign environments, both from above and on the streets and sidewalks. Its most useful purpose may just be as a fun app for those of us with wanderlust. But Google Earth, along with other virtual travel options like these online workshops, could also change how we evaluate destinations and plan trips.
2.) Expanding Interest In Adventurous Destinations
It’s a given that high-end video games have always been able to show off adventurous and exotic places. But only recently have simpler games gotten in on the action. It’s something we’re going to be seeing with mobile apps in the coming year. Take the example of Gonzo’s Quest, a popular slot game that’s being re-developed for VR. It has taken a long time for this genre to catch up to 3D gaming, but now even these games – simple slots and arcades – are going to be bring far-flung settings to life in 3D. In the case of Gonzo’s Quest, that means journeying through South American jungles (in pursuit of El Dorado). This would seem to indicate we’ll soon have a full range of adventure games showing us fun places, from mobile-based 3D slots to inevitable adaptations of major franchise (like Tomb Raider and Assassin’s Creed) on virtual reality. These games will make all kinds of adventurous getaways seem more real than e
ver – and my just give us the itch to explore.
3.) Crossing Off Experiences & Attractions
In addition to getting a good look at foreign cities and being inspired by adventurous destinations, VR can also help us to zoom in on specific attractions in a very real way. For example, there’s already a VR application that allows you to experience the Louvre Museum as if you’re actually there looking at different works of art. Nothing beats seeing a place like this in person, and this is not meant to advocate for digital experiences over physical ones. However, there’s interesting potential in applications like this. For instance, if there happens to be a stunning attraction or famous museum in a city you otherwise have little to no interest in visiting, you can at least partially “cross it off your list” by getting a close look in VR, and then prioritize the destinations you have broader interest in.
