There’s a big push right now in the video game industry to make VR accessible video games. This next big step in the game industry has practically everyone involved from manufacturers to developers. However, one company that has yet to showcase their current development with VR technology is Nintendo, but rest assure, there are developers currently researching on how to release VR headset that would be acceptable for family and kid uses.
As mentioned, there is a trend right now within the video game industry as big name manufacturers are releasing their own exclusive VR headsets. When it comes to Nintendo however, there are still too many issues that need to be addressed before they can confidently release any such technology.
Nintendo recently held a shareholders meeting where legendary Nintendo developer, Shigeru Miyamoto spoke of the company’s interest in VR, but the problems they are attempting to work out.
“As for VR, we are researching not just VR but AR and many other technologies. We have a range of core technology including 3D, and we are also considering the possibility of implementing these in our own hardware development. For VR in particular, we are continuing our research, and looking into development with a mind to how our current core products are meant to be played for a relatively long period of time. We are looking into the possibilities of providing an experience that gives value when played for a short time, and how to eliminate the concerns of long-duration use. We are also looking into how to make sure that a parent doesn’t need to worry when their child puts on a VR device in their living room. At this year’s E3, I was on the show floor, and it did not feel like VR was that big of a topic. This could be because VR is not that much to look at for the spectator, even while it might be highly appreciated for the person actually experiencing it. It might also not be clear how the experience can be made into a product.”
Right now, you have products such as the HTC Vive which uses cameras to identify where walls are within a room to prevent gamers running and face planting against their room. Still, these VR headsets have been rather pricey and if Nintendo is hoping to make something a bit more kid-friendly, reducing the cost to manufacturer these headsets while still keeping them competitive and durable would be most ideal.
For now, it seems unlikely we’ll see the Nintendo NX release with any type of VR technology implemented. That’s purely speculative as we’re still in the dark on what Nintendo’s next big console release will bring to the table.
