Video post production crew, filmmakers and creators are often limited in what they can do with virtual reality storytelling because of technological and equipment restrictions. Using different editing programs, like Adobe’s Premiere, to edit Virtual Reality can often be a hard sell for those already familiar with different programs. Adobe’s Premiere software has now been updated to include auto-detection of Virtual Reality as well as allowing the editor to post the work on social media platforms like YouTube and Facebook. These platforms will allow creators to show that their Virtual and Augmented Reality stories have a narrative to follow and prove that the design has value beyond novelty.
To make immersive stories that draw consumers in, creators not only need to develop the technology to make the story engaging, but also must develop the headsets and helmets that consumers need to be immersed in the story.
The prices for the hardware are already decreasing, but as soon as the hardware becomes affordable to more companies, there will be more experimentation with Virtual Reality. Luckily, this problem is fixing itself. Competition among hardware companies naturally drives prices down. Also, with so many different set-ups, there are several cheaper ones on the market.
Designers must overcome several hurdles in developing software because Virtual Reality requires consumers to be able to connect with each other online. Networks are not perfect and when they become overpopulated with users, they often freeze, shut down or move very slowly.
Doing this will allow people to interact both in this world and the virtual world through geography. Players will be able to meet others within the area and interact with the world differently depending on the devices that they have on them.
Virtual Reality needs to make the space mundane to make it believable for both the consumer and the character. This differs from Virtual Reality films where the spectacular can be the focus for the viewer because it does not distract from the story. In a live action game, players have choices and if everything looks important, it will be difficult for the player to recognize where they need to go next. For example, Premiere focuses in on images to create a transition and then the focus returns to the player. This works really well in Virtual Reality because the setting allows the user to see the object in 3D.
In a movie or a video game on a flat screen, shaking and sudden camera movements can create a sense of suspense and unease when something big is about to happen. However, when wearing a Virtual Reality headset, these sudden camera shifts disorient the viewer and make them feel like they are falling.
When playing with Virtual Reality, it is important to make sure players will look at everything they need to before moving on. It helps to have a character say that they are ready to move on to the player once everything has necessary has been found.
Ultimately, Virtual Reality is about creating a space that you can enter and that feels real. The growing rate of technology, will soon allow Virtual Reality to be accessible to more people.
