Potential VR Killer Apps: Multi-User Presentation, Lucid Dream Simulation & Game With IRL Breathing Mechanic

Here's the finalist and winner of the Gear VR contest I helped put together and curate last week, with Philip Rosedale and other experts helping judge. The grand prize went to Virtual Reality Suite, a multi-user platform for business presentations. Philip and the other judges especially liked that it's multi-user, enabling two or more people to meet inside the same virtual presentation and share ideas.

Two of the other finalists, The Rabbit Hole and Super Vektoroids, were really excellent, highly polished VR games, though my personal favorites were two of the other finalists:

Dream Cube, which simulates lucid dreaming with a truly cool effect -- when you turn your head, you seamlessly shift from one scene to another. (More or less capturing the sensation in dreams where images and sensations flow together without necessarily having any logic or continuity.) While just a short demo, the judges and I agreed this only-in-VR effect could be effectively scaled into many more apps and experiences.

Apnea, an award-winning indie game, is an underwater adventure with a seriously nifty use of the smartphone microphone to simulate breathing in a deep sea diver suit. (See above.) I love games and apps which cleverly incorporate features of the underlying form factor -- and VR games where the virtual aspect is not just visual. If I had to guess, games like this stand the best chance to become VR killer apps, in the sense that they are best/only played in virtual reality. And in the same way, the Virtual Reality suite could fairly easily become a killer app for business use, convincing even stodgy business people to try on a VR headset.

To be sure, it's still quite possible neither will drive mass adoption of VR, but they do increase the likelihood of virtual reality at least becoming a large niche technology.

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Comments

[nameinthisboxhere]

Oh, breathing techniques. I recently remember research on breathing having something good (or was it bad?) changes to people. I mean, besides staying alive via respiration. I can't remember anything about it though, but quick web search shows me other "games" with breathing used and they are good for people.

So, sounds like they do have the makings of a killer app sort of thing. New games, games that help people feel better. Xanex in VR form is what they say at engaget.com. Can't argue with that, people do purchase much health books, equipment, memberships and addiction to xanex has sent people to jail it has so much demand. Rehab is an earner maybe? Not sure, but there is a market for it and this sounds like something very interesting.

Cool underwater game though, I remember a PS1 game that had this relaxing acoustic guitar track and was all underwater I think. Exploring, different than running and all the slow easy movement is maybe relaxing. A great set-up for a shark attack if you ask me, so a bit of horror thrown in just to keep you awake maybe? :P

[Peter son]

A cool underwater game which would eventual makes us forget about VR games.Recently got this app from vshare app store. Its amazing. Thanks for providing this game.

[Pallavi Singh]

yes, I do agree with you