How to create engaging VR content for non-gaming applications

VR technology uses sophisticated hardware and software to simulate real-world experiences, providing a sense of presence and immersion that traditional media cannot match. As VR development advances and hardware becomes more accessible, its applications continue to expand, demonstrating its versatility and impact.

VR Importance beyond gaming

Beyond gaming, VR’s importance is evident in education, healthcare, training, and more. VR enhances learning with immersive simulations, aids in patient therapy with virtual environments, and provides safe, cost-effective training solutions in industries such as automotive and heavy machinery. These diverse VR experiences showcase the potential of VR development to revolutionize various sectors, making it an essential tool for innovation and growth.

Creating engaging Virtual reality content for non-gaming applications requires a deep understanding of your audience. Unlike traditional gaming audiences, users in fields like medicine, education, automotive, and heavy industries have specific needs for the VR experience to be effective and engaging.

Key factors to consider

User demographics

Consider the age range and experience level of your users. Also, tailor the content to fit their professional background. Medical professionals, for instance, will require highly accurate and detailed simulations, while educators might focus more on interactive and narrative-driven experiences.

User goals

The primary goal for industries like medicine and heavy machinery is often to train and develop specific skills. In education, the goal might be to enhance learning and retention. Make sure the VR content is catering to these specific user goals.

User environment and context

Consider where the VR content will be used. In a classroom or training center, you might have access to high-end VR setups, while in the field, portability and ease of use become critical. Moreover, users might have limited time for training sessions. Content must be concise and to the point, delivering essential information efficiently.

Realism and accuracy

High-fidelity graphics, 3D models, and detailed simulations are crucial for creating a believable and immersive experience, particularly in fields like medicine and automotive, where precision is essential.

Interactivity and feedback

Incorporate interactive elements for users to engage actively with the content. The system must provide immediate responses to user actions. This can include visual cues, audio signals, or haptic feedback (vibrations) to indicate whether the user performed the action correctly. Immediate feedback is vital for reinforcing learning and helping users understand their performance and areas for improvement.

Scenario-based learning

Develop real-world scenarios that users are likely to encounter in their professional lives. This makes the training relevant and practical, encouraging users to apply their skills in a meaningful context.

User-centered design

Ensure the VR application is intuitive and easy to navigate. Complicated controls can hinder the learning experience. Customization options can help meet the specific needs of different users and industries. For example, choosing between hand controllers, voice commands, or gaze-based navigation. Or a medical VR training program might provide basic, intermediate, and advanced surgical procedures.

VR is revolutionizing the way we learn. By immersing students in interactive, 3D environments, VR for learning offers unparalleled opportunities for engagement and knowledge acquisition. Beyond gaming, VR is becoming a powerful tool across various educational disciplines.

Transforming classrooms

Transforming classrooms with VR means creating dynamic and experiential learning environments. Students actively participate in their education instead of passively absorbing information.

For instance, history comes alive as students witness historical events firsthand. Geography lessons transform into virtual field trips to distant lands. Science concepts become tangible as students explore the microscopic world or conduct virtual experiments.

Here are some real-world applications of VR in education:

• Schools use VR to simulate medical procedures, allowing students to practice without risk.
• In language learning, students can immerse themselves in virtual foreign cultures, enhancing language acquisition.
• Even complex mathematical concepts can be visualized in three dimensions, making them easier to grasp.

VR for Training

Virtual reality technology is changing the way training is conducted in industries as diverse as healthcare, automotive, military and heavy industry. By providing an immersive and interactive environment, VR simulations provide users with a safe and controlled environment where they can develop and develop their skills.

Real-world simulations: Jet Bridge

Let’s consider a real-world example of a VR training simulation.

Jet Bridge VR Training Simulation by Juego Studio is designed to train airline personnel in using jet bridges, the mobile connectors that allow passengers to board and land safely. This VR simulation offers a highly detailed and realistic environment, replicating various operational conditions and potential challenges that staff might face during their daily tasks.

The key features and benefits of this simulation include:

• Realistic simulation environment: The simulation features high-fidelity graphics that accurately replicate the airport environment, including the jet bridge, aircraft, and surrounding areas. This attention to detail helps trainees familiarize themselves with the actual working conditions.
• Interactive training modules: Trainees can interact with the virtual jet bridge controls and perform tasks like aligning the bridge with the aircraft door, extending and retracting the bridge, and managing passenger flow. This hands-on practice is crucial for developing muscle memory and operational competence.
• Safety and efficiency: By training in a virtual environment, aviation staff can practice and perfect their skills without the risk of damaging equipment or causing safety incidents. This risk-free training is especially valuable for new employees or those learning to operate new types of jet bridges.
• Customization and scalability: The simulation can be customized to meet the specific needs of different airports and airlines. Training modules can be adjusted to match unique operational procedures and equipment.

Read the detailed jet bridge aviation simulation case study.

VR Tourism and Travel

Tourism has always been at the forefront of using new technologies to enhance the travelling experience. One of the most exciting ways of doing so would be incorporating virtual reality technology, affording intrinsically new ways of discovery for places, culture, and, most importantly, laying your very own trip without you ever having to leave the comfort of your home.

Virtual destination tours: Great Wall of China

An example of a successful VR tourism initiative is the virtual tour of the Great Wall of China by the Chinese government in collaboration with leading VR companies. The key features of this VR tourism experience are:

• Interactive navigation: The tour allows users to move seamlessly along different sections of the wall, simulating the experience of walking its length.
• Detailed imagery: High-resolution images and videos capture the intricate details of the Great Wall and provide breathtaking panoramic views of the wall and the scenic beauty of the Chinese countryside.
• Informational pop-ups: Interactive elements provide additional information about specific parts of the wall, enhancing the educational aspect of the tour.
• Multi-platform support: The virtual tour can be accessed through various devices, including VR headsets, smartphones, tablets, and computers, making it widely accessible.

VR technology offers innovative solutions that enhance medical training, patient care, and treatment outcomes. By providing immersive and interactive VR experiences, this technology is transforming the way healthcare professionals learn and practice, and how patients experience care, rehabilitation, and therapy.

Medical training simulations: 3D Organon

3D Organon is a VR-based platform that enhances how medical students and professionals learn about human anatomy and practice medical procedures. Here’s how we implemented the key features of 3D Organon for medical training and education:

• Detailed anatomy exploration – 3D Organon allows users to explore over 4,000 anatomical structures with high accuracy. These structures include bones, muscles, vessels, nerves, and organs, all presented in high-definition 3D models.
• Virtual dissections – The platform offers virtual dissection tools, enabling users to peel away layers of the body to examine internal structures. This feature helps students understand the spatial relationships and functions of different body parts.
• Interactive learning tools – Annotations, interactive labels, and cross-sectional views provide detailed information about each anatomical structure. These tools enhance the learning experience by offering in-depth insights and context.
• Multi-user collaboration – The platform supports multi-user sessions, allowing for collaborative learning experiences. This feature is ideal for classroom settings, study groups, and remote learning environments.

Overall, the 3D Organon enables enhanced learning, improved skill development, flexible education, and comprehensive curriculum resources to excel in the medical career.

VR meetings enhance collaboration by providing realistic, shared virtual spaces where participants can interact as if they were physically present together. These environments are equipped with interactive tools like virtual whiteboards and 3D models, making brainstorming and working on projects in real-time easier.

VR meetings enable global connectivity by allowing remote participation, reducing the need for travel and associated costs. They also provide flexible scheduling options that accommodate participants from different time zones.

In the realm of social interaction, VR platforms such as AltspaceVR and VRChat offer virtual spaces for socializing, hosting events, and building communities based on shared interests. These platforms create opportunities for unique social experiences that overcome physical limitations and promote social inclusion, especially for those with disabilities or social anxiety.

Additionally, VR collaboration tools like Spatial and Gravity Sketch transform project management, design, and prototyping by enabling teams to work together in virtual workspaces. These tools facilitate realistic training and simulation environments across various industries, enhancing skill development and operational efficiency.

In real estate and architecture industries, VR provides immersive, interactive experiences that allow clients and stakeholders to explore properties and designs in a way that was previously impossible. VR enables architects and real estate professionals to present detailed, 3D visualizations of buildings and spaces, offering a realistic sense of scale, materials, and layout.

This technology enhances the decision-making process, reduces the need for physical visits, and allows for real-time feedback and modifications.

Best practices to build VR applications for real estate

• High-quality 3D models – Ensure the creation of high-resolution, detailed 3D models that accurately represent the real-world dimensions, materials, and finishes of the property. This includes attention to lighting, textures, and realistic environmental effects.
• User-friendly interface – Design an intuitive and accessible interface that allows users to navigate the virtual property easily. Incorporate simple controls for moving through spaces, viewing different angles, and accessing additional information about features and amenities.
• Interactive elements – Integrate interactive features, such as clickable hotspots that provide detailed descriptions, videos, or images of specific property aspects. Allow users to instantly customize materials, colors, and furnishings.
• Cross-platform compatibility – Ensure the VR experience is accessible across multiple platforms, including VR headsets, desktop computers, and mobile devices. This broadens the accessibility and allows more users to benefit from the technology.

Virtual property tours: Matterport

One notable example of VR in real estate is virtual property tours by companies like Matterport. Matterport provides a platform that creates immersive 3D tours of real estate properties, allowing potential buyers and renters to explore homes and commercial spaces virtually.

Matterport Virtual Tour of Amazing Home | Real Estate 3D Virtual Tours

The key features of these virtual property tours include immersive 3D tours, dollhouse views, measurement tools, and interactive tags.

Companies across various industries leverage VR experiences to design innovative campaigns that engage consumers, enhance brand awareness, and drive sales. Here is a notable example and some best practices for VR marketing.

Companies across various industries leverage VR experiences to design innovative campaigns that engage consumers, enhance brand awareness, and drive sales. Here is a notable example and some best practices for VR marketing.

Innovative real-world VR campaigns: IKEA

IKEA’s VR Pancake Kitchen on Steam offers a unique and playful experience that allows users to step into a virtual kitchen and cook pancakes. IKEA created this VR game campaign that immerses users in a fully interactive kitchen environment where they can try their hand at flipping pancakes and preparing them just like in a real kitchen.

By gamifying the cooking process, IKEA engages users in a fun and memorable way while promoting their kitchen products and enhancing brand interaction.

Create VR content for your industry with Juego Studios

At Juego Studios, we specialize in creating cutting-edge virtual reality solutions that span a wide array of industries and applications. By partnering with Juego Studios, you gain access to innovative VR solutions that not only meet your industry-specific needs but also push the boundaries of what’s possible in virtual reality.