Is virtual technology the next big thing for marketers? That’s the question we’ve been asking ourselves since our friends from The Digital Generals dropped by the office with a bunch of goofy headsets and led us on a tour of VR technology. We battled aliens, took a trippy voyage through the human body and shot hoops with Kobe Bryant. Then we conducted a Highly Scientific Pilot Poll to assess the future of the technology. The results suggest the future isn’t here yet, but we’re intrigued by the possibilities.
- Is VR the next big thing?
- Yes: 20%
- No: 40%
- Too soon to say: 40% (“The cost of devices needs to significantly come down. VR’s social potential is exciting though: Shared walking tour of Mars anyone?”)
- Where do you see the most potential for VR applications?
- Video games: 50% (“I see the videogame industry doing some promotional heavy-lifting and
Armand is somewhere else.
acting as a sort of brand ambassador for VR technology.”)
- Education: 30%
- Non-profits: 20%
- Evangelists have called VR “the ultimate empathy machine.” Your opinion?
- Agree: 50% (“I’m picturing a MADD advertisement that really immerses you in being a drunk driver and forces you to experience a simulated crash very viscerally.”)
- Disagree: 50% (“Empathy is much more than taking the visual POV of another.”)
- Which statement best reflects your first VR experience?
- Wow!: 60%
- Meh: 30%
- I think I’m going to be sick: 10%