VR: The Future of Bingo?

12/03/2023

blogpost

Bingo has come a long way from being played in land-based locations. Today, there are many bingo rooms online where you can enjoy this game alongside other players without leaving your comfort zone. All it takes for you to play these online variants is a solid internet connection and a computer, smartphone, or tablet. 

With the fast-paced advancement of technology, bingo has the potential to become more than just an online game. Thanks to the introduction of virtual reality, there’s a chance that players get to enjoy a more realistic experience than what’s present. Let’s explore VR bingo and learn if it’s really the future of the simple but fun game. 

What Is VR?

The term "virtual reality" refers to a simulated environment created with the use of computer hardware and software. In this environment, users can interact and explore in a way similar to how they behave in a real-life setting. To be transported to this virtual space, users might have to wear devices like goggles and helmets. 

VR systems vary from one to the next, depending on the technology used in their production. However, there are three main types of these systems, including:

Non-Immersive VR

This is a virtual 3D setting that you experience through a computer screen. With a device like a keyboard or joystick, you might be able to interact with the environment. However, the environment doesn’t interact with you, which is why it is termed “non-immersive.”

A good example of such a system is a video game. Most of the current VR video games let you control the game’s activities with an input system. However, what happens in the game doesn’t affect you. 

Semi-Immersive VR

This type of system is more advanced than its non-immersive counterpart, but the experience is not as real as a fully immersive system. To access a semi-immersive environment, one has to use goggles or a form of helmet. Semi-immersive systems are commonly used for educational purposes, like flight training. 

Fully Immersive VR

This VR system provides the highest quality of virtual reality possible, transporting the viewer to a fully immersive 3D environment. It includes the senses of sight, hearing, and touch, and attempts have been made to include scent. 

Like with a semi-immersive VR system, users don special equipment like helmets, goggles, or gloves to completely engage with their surroundings. Treadmills and stationary bicycles could be incorporated into the setting to give users the impression of moving through a 3D environment.

What Is VR Bingo Like?

VR bingo is the integration of virtual reality to online bingo, making the gaming experience even more realistic and enjoyable. With regular online bingo, you watch the game on your device's screen and wait for the numbers to be drawn. However, with VR bingo, you are transported to a 3D bingo hall.

This environment is similar to an actual land-based bingo hall, where you sit at a table with other players. If it’s a fully immersive VR system, you can interact with your fellow players while watching the caller draw random numbers. 

In VR bingo, you also need to get your ticket before you can participate. The gameplay is similar; wait for the caller to draw the numbers and tick off any that match those on your ticket. However, unlike an online bingo room where you don’t need to call BINGO!, you can do so in a 3D environment.

Winning in VR bingo is the same as winning in the regular variant you play at Buzz Bingo. The rules will be stipulated in the game. So you will know if you have to complete a pattern to win or clear all numbers on your ticket. If you’re the first player to win, you get a payout based on the VR bingo variant you played. 

Why Is VR so Popular?

VR is growing in popularity due to a few factors. These include:

It Offers an Immersive Experience

One of the main reasons virtual reality is making headway in the gaming sector is that it takes the experience to a whole new level. Players are immersed in a different environment without having to leave their current location. 

A fully immersive system includes a 360-degree rotation system, allowing you to move around your environment. Some even include a sense of touch and scent, allowing you to feel and smell what’s around you. This means that you can be in a simulated bingo hall and feel like you’re really there, even when you’re not. 

Interaction with Other Players

Another great benefit of VR is that you get to interact with other players in the same virtual environment. You can chat, laugh, and make jokes when you’re in a simulated bingo hall. 

It lets you meet up with old friends without being in the same physical space. You can also make some new friends in this virtual world. Simply put, it lets you enjoy an interactive gaming session. 

Game Variety

When VR is fully developed, it’ll make room for the creation of more bingo varieties. Since this is a virtual world, there are opportunities to create titles with gameplay that would have been impossible to use in real life. This would give players more than enough exciting games to pick from. 

Great for Training

Besides entertainment, VR has a positive impact on other sectors. Through this medium, users can undergo training. For instance, a pilot learning to fly a plane can be taught to do so in a virtual environment. So, instead of practising with an actual aeroplane, they learn the flight process via VR. 

Is VR Bingo the Future?

With the development of virtual reality and streaming services, the future of bingo looks promising. When VR technology is combined with online bingo gaming, you feel like you're in a hall full of people enjoying the game together. However, in reality, you probably never even left your home.

In other words, these technological advancements will allow you to enjoy the social benefits of playing in a traditional bingo hall. This includes playing with old friends, meeting new people, and chatting and laughing as if one were in the company of other players. Virtual reality might be in its infancy, but it could be the next step for online bingo.

FAQ

How Do I Start Playing VR Bingo?

To play VR bingo, you have to be registered on a platform that offers it. This could be an online bingo site like Buzz Bingo or a physical location. Keep in mind that the platform will specify everything you need to know about registering and playing VR bingo.

Are There Different Types of VR Bingo?

VR bingo is currently in its early stages. However, as it develops, there’s a good chance that there will be different types of it based on the VR system. This could be non-immersive, sub-immersive, or fully immersive. 

How Much Is the Ticket for VR Bingo?

The ticket price for VR bingo depends on the game you want to play. However, they will be affordable, so players with different bankroll sizes can enjoy the game. 

What Is the Maximum Win When Playing VR Bingo?

The maximum win you can get when playing VR bingo depends on the game. You can learn more about it by reading the VR bingo game’s information.