To anyone who is familiar with the world of online casinos and slot games, Microgaming is a very familiar name. Now the company seems to have turned over a new leaf, as it has begun experimenting with augmented reality and virtual reality applications for its games.

Award-Winning VR Roulette

Virtual reality and augmented reality provide opportunities for increased revenue for those companies both bold enough and capable of harnessing their potential. And of course, they offer an unparalleled experience to consumers. In 2016, VR amounted to a $2.1 billion market, while AR reached just $200 million. But the trend seems upward, and it is projected that, by 2021, revenue from VR tech will reach a little under $50 billion and AR profit will rise to almost $20 billion.

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Microgaming is a relatively small company that operates out of Isle of Man and has long been a pioneer in the online gambling world, having developed software for hundreds of online slot and casino table games. It took the first steps towards tapping into the new VR trend back in 2015, when it released a VR version of their very popular roulette game. Microgaming had been experimenting with 3D technology and wearables, more specifically with the Oculus Rift headset.

Using the Oculus Rift DK 2 headset, the company delivered a roulette game where players bet on a roulette wheel that seems to be floating freely on outer space, with stunning visuals of planets and the universe. They can also reach out their hands to place their chips on the roulette table, delivering the experience they would have at a land-based casino. This is made possible thanks to the headset’s Leap Motion 3D controller.

Online Slot Games Characters that Come to Life

People were quick to notice and Microgaming snatched up that year’s Digital Gaming Innovation of the Year Award at the Global Gaming Awards, a prestigious competition that celebrates the best that gaming has to offer. But roulette is not the only thing they do well – or the only game they plan to transform using AR and VR. According to a review of Ruby Fortune, a solid Microgaming casino, the online casino features over 450 of the developer’s games, with more than 300 being online slots and jackpots, including 15 progressive jackpots, and also a live dealer Casino Hold’em game, video poker and blackjack.

Slot games are definitely what Microgaming is most renowned for, with their classic Mega Moolah slot being perhaps the most famous among the lot. It would only make sense that it would try and develop AR applications for its slots. It recently launched an AR version of some of their most famous slots, such as Hot as Hades and Avalon II, where players can point their device on AR scratch cards and watch the figures spring to life.

Users can interact with Zeus, Hades, Medusa and Cerberus from Hot as Hades, as well as with Arthur and Black Knight from Avalon II, Captain Bronzebeard and Scarlett from the Great Galaxy Grab game, while recent additions include Gibble, Switch, Frost and Flint from Dragonz. The cards can be downloaded from Microgaming’s website and the user needs to print them, download the app and then turn their camera towards the cards to see their favorite characters come to life.

This is undoubtedly an exciting time for gamers and online casino enthusiasts in particular, as more and more VR and AR applications are developed – and we cannot wait to see what else Microgaming has in store.