Immersive Technology and Games

Gaming has long been a proving ground for immersive technology, and VR and AR continue to change how people play, tell stories, and connect. Headsets move players from a flat screen into environments they can walk through and interact with, and that sense of presence is opening up new genres, from sports and horror to fitness games that turn exercise into something people want to do. Storytelling is shifting too, as players take on different perspectives and make choices that shape the outcome. Social play is also changing, with virtual worlds becoming shared spaces where people can gather, collaborate, and create together.

Alongside the progress, the industry is working through real challenges. Hardware limitations like comfort, resolution, and latency still affect how long and how well people can play. Accessibility remains an area to improve, with customizable controllers, eye tracking, and voice input helping but not yet reaching every player. Questions around data privacy, the effects of highly realistic experiences on mental health and behavior, and the representation reflected in game content and avatars are also part of the conversation. And with some of the largest platform companies scaling back their investments, developers are rethinking where the market is headed and how to build experiences that serve players well over the long term.

Join us on Wednesday December 2nd at 2112 where this session will explore how gaming is shaping the future of immersive technology – what is working today, where the barriers to adoption remain, and how lessons from play are extending into how we learn, work, and connect as gamification is being used across sectors in training.