Total immersion in the virtual world is an enticing prospect. And this prospect has been available to online casino players since 2015, when SlotsMillion launched the world's first virtual reality casino. Let's figure out where to play, how, and what is needed for this.
Virtual reality in casinos is still a rarity. Moreover, SlotsMillion seems to be still the only virtual reality casino. If this is not true, write in the comments. In the video below, SlotsMillion is taking a tour of their virtual reality world. You can drag the video to the right, left, up and down to look around in 360 degrees.
If for most online casinos nothing needs to be downloaded, then playing in virtual reality requires a special program. Download the program on the SlotsMillion website, choose the screen resolution and graphics quality. Then log in to your account by providing your username and password.
Moreover, you can not log in at all, but log in as a guest. Next, you will be prompted to choose an avatar. When you enter a virtual casino, you will see other players who are in the hall. And other players will see you, that is, your avatar. The game uses Oculus Rift glasses. They are not required, but without them you will see normal 3D graphics.
Having entered the casino, you can walk around it, choose games and sit down at free slots or tables. In total, there are about 50 games from several developers. Games include such well-known slots as Starburst and Jack and the Beanstalk.
The keyboard or controller is used for control. SlotsMillion has a dedicated VR User Guide that explains in detail how to control the game.
The casino also answered popular questions about virtual reality. There is no translation into Russian, so I am writing questions and answers here.
Now you need to download a special program to play in virtual reality. But another breakthrough will be made soon towards greater use of virtual reality in casinos. NetEnt has been working on Gonzo’s Quest VR for months now, and they promise to launch the game this summer. Its difference will be that you will not need to download anything. The game will be available directly in the browser, and it will be the first game of its kind.
While work on Gonzo’s Quest continues, I suggest you take a look at how NetEnt’s Jack and the Beanstalk slot turned out. The version is quite different from the original version, which is available in regular online casinos. Here you can also drag the video in different directions to look around.
On amazon.com, the glasses and controllers are priced at $399. If you choose with delivery to Russia, then the price is $516.77. Plus, the set comes with six games. Opinions on the account of the goods are different - from "incredible, unforgettable" to "terrible". Some problems are noted, including bulkiness of glasses and fogging of glasses.
Oculus Rift won't work for every computer. Here are the minimum and recommended requirements set by the manufacturer.
Should I buy glasses for the sake of the casino?
Purely for the sake of the casino, I think it makes no sense. There are still too few operators connected to this direction. SlotsMillion, for example, is not aimed at the Russian-speaking audience, and there is nowhere else to play besides it. Perhaps it makes sense to wait and see when new casinos and developers will jump on the trend.
It cannot be said unequivocally that virtual reality is the future of online casinos. There is still too much unknown in this area, everything is expensive and long. Some believe that the popularity of virtual reality in general is already on the decline and companies are not so interested in investing in this area. So it is possible that SlotsMillion will never have competitors.
Many developers probably can't afford to release virtual reality games. Therefore, only large studios can be seen here for now.
How long does it take to develop a game?
Apparently, the process is very long if a quality game is being developed. Moreover, all this is not cheap. The duration of the process can be judged even by the work of NetEnt. Last February, the developer announced plans for a VR version of Gonzo's Quest. The video below was posted at the same time (if you don't see the reels in the video, just drag the video to the right or left).
The video shows that the developers have already done a lot of work, which means the project began long before February 2017. And the launch of Gonzo’s Quest is scheduled for this summer. I think in the end it will take at least a year and a half.
Back in 2015, the bookmaker William Hill, together with Unit9, began to develop technologies that would allow combining virtual reality with live betting. The ultimate goal is to make it possible for players to bet on a horse in a real race and watch the race from the jockey position of the selected horse. The bookmaker has already released a prototype. The video below has illustrations of what the developers have in mind.
Unlike SlotsMillion Casino, William Hill players will be able to use not only Oculus Rift, but also its cheap alternative, Google Cardboard. These cardboard glasses on Amazon cost $15 if you buy from the official Google. There are prices even lower. The glasses work like this: you tuck your phone into the front of the structure, start the game and get into virtual reality.
By wearing goggles and racing, players will be able to view not only the race itself, but also data about their horse and the race. By looking down, players can see the heart rate, the length of the jump, the distance to the finish line, and what position the horse is currently in. It will all be not just numbers, but real data.
It is expected that some offices will install mock horses and rider helmets with built-in Oculus Rift goggles. The player puts on a helmet, sits on a horse and can place bets and watch real races live. If the concept is well developed, then it will be great fun.
