1. More interactive content
The biggest problem in VR right now is content. The major movie and gaming studios are treading lightly because:
- They don’t know what to do with VR – so they do what’s safe (cheap and risk adverse) and port their existing IP over to VR without re imagining it! – Big mistake and the same strategy that was deployed for 3D
- There’s no clear monetary return
- No clear distribution model due to lack of standardization of content delivery
With all these problems our only hope is that:
- An independent producer will make a killer VR experience that makes a lot of money
- One of the tech companies (that are majorly invested in VR… Google, Facebook, HTC etc..) will sponsor and thus force Hollywood to create truly interactive and emergent VR. They’re already doing this BTW. Just no killer content yet but I’m bullish we’ll get it this year.
How do you make killer VR content? I gave an introductory lecture that scratches the surface here.
Technologies to watch: YouTube has demonstrated interactive emergent VR streaming over the internet. Let me repeat that…. YouTube has demonstrated interactive emergent VR streaming over the internet with Google Spotlight. This has the potential to solve the distribution problem with VR once Google opens up interactive scripting to everyone. This greatly increases the reach of interactive VR to anyone with a smartphone and an internet connection.
2. User generated “VR” explosion
2017 will be the year of user generated 360 video content. There’s much debate within the community over whether 360 video is VR but just like you learn in art school…. The people have spoken and they’re calling 360 video VR…. Deal with it.
While at CES I had the opportunity to try out various new 360 cameras that attach to mobile phones. They are inexpensive, easy to use, and have just enough gimmicky appeal to seduce the populace into 360 video. I expect YouTube and Facebook to be flooded with user generated 360 content this year.
360 cameras to watch: Insta360 air, Insta360 nano, Giropic iO, Kodak Pixpro Orbit360. I also have my eye a couple of professional cameras… The Insta360 Pro and for stills the Panono 360. I can’t wait to get my hands on these cameras to review.
3. Mobile VR will take over tethered VR
This is a no brainer. Tethered VR is expensive and limiting…. Sure it looks gorgeous and much better then the current slate of mobile VR…. But let me make this clear the future of VR is mobile….. And with the advent of mobile phones designed specifically for VR it won’t be long before mobile VR reaches the immersion that’s currently only available on the Oculus Rift and HTC Vive. And yes that means motion tracking! Stay tuned.
Technologies to watch: Google Daydream Platform, Project Tango, Mobile Oculus, Samsung Gear VR, iPhone 8 (rumored)
4. Consolidation in the community
VR distribution is a mess. Essentially every VR platform has its own distribution store and technology. This has to change. In 2016 the Global VR Association was founded and the major players and Finally started to talk about standards. I’m expecting some major announcements this year.
Organizations to watch: GVRA
5. 360 video codec in 2017
360 video is currently encoded using the 4K video standard. This year I expect we’ll get a new codec that will change everything. Currently 360 video looks like VHS from the 90’s because there’s no true codec for it. Once we get a new codec the true potential and resolution of the content we’re capturing will finally be realized.
2017 will turn out to be a crucial year for VR. Stay tuned throughout the year as we watch how much of these predictions pan out.
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