IGT moving toward virtual reality offerings

Virtual Reality (VR) developer HTC Vive has revealed in a press statement that it is currently in partnership with online and land gambling provider International Game Technology (IGT) to develop virtual reality technology usable in casinos.

HTC Vive is a range of virtual reality hardware products developed by HTC Vive Tech Corp, a unit of HTC Corp, a Taiwan-based technology company that has specialised in making mobile digital devices.

The press release reveals that IGT is to leverage HTC Vive Studios’ world-class virtual reality content within the IGT ‘Virtual Zone’ platform on casino floors, explaining that Virtual Zone is a “competition arena designed for casino environments that enables casino patrons to compete against each other for cash prizes in virtual reality tournaments.

“Arcade-like installations and experiences are skyrocketing across the globe as virtual reality has proven to be a consistent traffic generator in entertainment venues,” HTC Vive VP content explains in the statement. “By combining IGT’s gaming expertise and the world’s best virtual reality in HTC Vive, we are launching a combined platform that can deploy the best complete experiences for virtual reality tournaments or standalone virtual reality arcades.”

Enrico Drago, IGT senior VP for global product marketing interactive, betting and licensing, is also quoted in the press material, saying: “‘Virtual Zone’ … represents an important step in diversifying IGT’s portfolio with unique offerings that can differentiate our customers’ casino floors and entertain a broad demographic of players.”

The statement reveals that IGT has published a software development kit to assist game designers to develop virtual reality content for the ‘Virtual Zone’ at Boyd Gaming Corp’s venue The Orleans Hotel and Casino, in Las Vegas.

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