If You Don’t Recognize this Technology’s Potential Now, You’ll Regret It Later

Virtual reality offers more than just entertainment–it’s a new potential solution for integrators to offer end-users and could even mean recurring revenue.

Imagine you’re taking a sky tour of a city and suddenly the rail car you’re riding in gets ripped of the tracks by Lex Luthor (yes, the archenemy of Superman).  But, just as the car begins to fall from the sky, Superman swoops in and saves you.

Now, imagine you’re trapped inside a mansion full of ghosts and it’s up to you to destroy them. Will you have the courage to do so?

Both of these scenarios seem unreal—like a bad nightmare, right?

Wrong. With virtual reality on the rise in entertainment markets, the two scenarios mentioned above can be experienced in person with VR technology at Six Flags Amusement Parks and Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum.

Just watch the videos below to see for yourself the immersive experiences offered by Six Flags’ Superman Ride of Steel Virtual Reality Roller Coaster and Madame Tussaud’s Ghostbusters Dimension VR Experience.

Superman Ride of Steel Virtual Reality Roller Coaster

Madame Tussaud’s New York Ghostbusters Dimension VR Experience

Virtual Reality (VR) seems to be everywhere—from entertainment venues such as amusement parks and museums, to epic events such as the Olympics and may even appear in courtrooms one day.

While virtual reality is known for the entertainment it provides, don’t forget that business opportunities await, too.

As CI editor Craig MacCormack reported shortly after InfoComm, virtual reality is coming to AV, and integrators will need to recognize the opportunities within virtual reality to capitalize on its growing popularity.

According to Kevin Vitale, executive vice president of international operations at VR Studios, commercial AV applications of virtual reality could be found in arcades and gaming centers, commercial and industrial facilities and simulation applications, such as training for military newcomers, first responders and medical professionals.

MORE: Reviews Are In: Madame Tussaud’s Ghostbusters Exhibit Is as Virtually Real as it Gets

Vitale also expects virtual reality to become an increasingly-important part of construction and architecture, including designing data centers, conference rooms and office layouts.

Perhaps the most important point for integrators to take away from the rising virtual reality trend is that this phenomenon is a new potential solution to end-users, and could even mean recurring revenue for integrators through ongoing maintenance fees, as Kevin Kelly, president, COO and owner of Stampede Presentation Products stated in MacCormack’s article.

While virtual reality systems can cost anywhere from $75,000 to $150,000 and up, this popular technology presents a new opportunity for integrators to offer new solutions and grow their businesses, an opportunity that if passed up may lead to future regret.

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