Following the March purchase of the Oculus Rift virtual reality technology by Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, Attractions Management has looked at what implications this could have for the attractions industry, with Zuckerberg predicting augmented reality will become part of everyday life in the near future.

After his US$2bn (€1.5bn, £1.2bn) purchase of the VR technology, Zuckerberg said that he believed Oculus could be incorporated into the everyday lives of billions of people.

“After games, we’re going to make Oculus a platform for many other experiences,” said Zuckerberg when he announced the purchase. “This really is a new communication platform. By feeling truly present, you can share unbounded spaces and experiences with the people in your life. Imagine sharing not just moments with your friends online, but entire experiences and adventures.”

The Oculus development kits are designed as open platforms, with the software development kit that comes with the technology also designed as open source. This means developers and companies can create virtually any kind of content they want, potentially signalling a bright future for virtual reality in the attractions industry.

Several uses for the Oculus technology have already been mooted for the attractions sector. A pair of independent developers tested the technology on a roller coaster at a UK theme park, having created a virtual world that made it appear as though they were flying through space, while another suggested use has been for virtual tours of museums anywhere in the world.

Attempts at augmented reality have had mixed receptions in the past, with Nintendo’s Virtual Boy console a noted flop, while other attempts at VR left people nauseous due to limited technology at the time. VR successes include DisneyQuest in Florida, while online experiences such as Second Life have also proved to be a hit.

“One day, we believe immersive, augmented reality will become a part of daily life for billions of people,” said Zuckerberg. Whether his prediction comes true however, remains to be seen.

For a full look into Mark Zuckerberg and the potential of Oculus in the attractions industry, the newest edition of Attractions Management is available here.

FEATURE: Technology – Face Reality