The Future Of VR: Virtual Reality
July 24, 2019

How VR and AR are making an impact on the world and marketing.

In the 90s, Virtual Reality (or VR, as all the cool people say) was, along with the internet, supposed to be the future. Users were told to put on a clunky headset and in turn would be  transported to a magical world that would allow us to live out fantasies without having to leave our home. And while this all sounded exciting, the harsh reality was that while being pitched as a Star Trek holodeck, it was more like a grainy, pixelated animated world. Now in 2017, the technology behind altered realities – both Virtual and Augmented – have advanced, and now it’s time to ask if VR and AR will finally have their moments.

WHAT IS VR AND AR?

VR, as mentioned above stands for Virtual Reality. VR is meant to make the user feel as if they are living in another space.The headset is still there, albeit a little less clunky, but the actual experience is startlingly realistic, so much so, that most of the time people need to sign waivers before entering the VR world as the transition from current and virtual reality is said to be particularly intense. Augmented Reality, on the other hand takes real life and adds enhancements to it. Holograms are a perfect example of this, and we have AR to thank for Tupac performing at Coachella a few years ago.

SUCCESSES OF VR AND AR

Augmented Reality has made a particularly grand mark on popular culture with the success of Pokemon Go. The idea of being able to transform a city into the world of a game is not only groundbreaking but also, heightens the concept of gaming in general. And while there has been some concern about the safety of being fully immersed in a game that you have to play in public, it has certainly been a cultural phenomenon that has caused the gaming world to take notice. The gaming world has also seen to be key for VR, as well as marketing related to the world of sports. Both are highly visceral experiences and allowing users to live the experience from the comfort of their living room is realizing the maximum potential of these worlds.

Both VR and AR have been successful in training. VR in particular has been used to for training of military and air force personnel, as well as with surgical residents. In fact, a controlled study found that VR trained residents came out 29% faster.

AR has also had great success in the marketing world. Most notably, Pepsi launched a campaign involving a bus stop where commuters would look out to see an array of images ranging from flying saucers to tigers.

LIMITATIONS

While the marketing from Pepsi was an inspired viral moment, there is a novelty factor that could grow tiresome if it ran for a regular campaign runtime. Additionally, with both VR and AR, there is the issue of things becoming too invasive. There is already hostility toward overt advertising, such as curated advertisements on the Internet, as well as overt product placement. Having advertisements in a more interactive and explicit manner could cross the line of comfort for many users. While it may be great to feel like you are actually playing hockey from the comfort of your living room, it could also be alienating to also have advertisements interspersed into your immediate space.

The other major hurdle VR faces, at least for now, is the headset needed to be worn for VR is a solitary experience. While that may be fine when hanging out on your own, it limits the social aspect that comes from gaming, or hanging out with friends and watching a movie together.

THE FUTURE

Beyond the fun, the evolution of AR and VR can have a real positive societal impact, specifically in the mental health arena. These technologies have already been used to treat PTSD, and could help battle phobias, using methods such as Systematic Desensitization.

While VR and AR are interesting technologies that are showing an importance that extends beyond instant gratification. Arc + Crown Media is excited for the opportunity to help companies that are looking to innovate and gain a competitive edge on competition. Much like how Social Media has been deemed a time waster, Twitter is integral to the news cycle, and Facebook and its “live” options have allowed for movements that may not have gotten press coverage go viral. While its uses may vary, this technology has a lot of potential, and will hopefully continue to evolve.

Written by: Jason Rayner

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"Volunteer advocates are at the heart of Diabetes Canada’s efforts to bring about positive change. They represent the voice of the 11.7 million Canadians living with diabetes or pre-diabetes and speak for those who cannot speak up for themselves. Advocates help raise awareness of diabetes and the daily burden of living with the disease. They participate in Diabetes Canada advocacy campaigns and events across the country, and they help influence public policy by building relationships with elected officials in their ridings and promoting Diabetes Canada’s policy recommendations through their personal and professional networks. To support and grow this vital community, Diabetes Canada launched a new advocacy training series designed to make it easier than ever for people to get involved: Speak up & speak out Getting involved is easy Introducing Diabetes Advocacy 👉 Watch the videos and learn more here: DIABETES CANADA Bringing Advocacy to Life With Video Arc + Crown Media partnered with Diabetes Canada to help bring this important advocacy training to life through strategically designed animated videos, we helped make the training: 🎥 Clear and accessible Animation helped break down complex concepts into simple, visually engaging sequences, so viewers instantly grasp key ideas — like what advocacy is, how it works, and how they can participate. 📈 Action-oriented and motivating The pacing and progression were intentionally structured so someone watching could move from curiosity to confidence — ready to take action. Our approach ensured the advocacy training wasn’t just informative — it felt welcoming, inclusive, and empowering to volunteers from all walks of life. Why Animated Training Content Works Training and onboarding content — especially for volunteer programs and advocacy initiatives — needs to be engaging, easy to understand, and repeatable. Animation is uniquely suited to this because it lets you: Illustrate abstract ideas visually (e.g., advocacy processes, decision pathways) Keep attention with motion and visual cues Streamline complex information into digestible chapters Adapt content for web, social channels, and virtual learning platforms By combining animation with thoughtful narrative structure and live footage, Arc & Crown Media helped create a training resource that volunteers can come back to again and again — whenever they need a refresher or want to share training with others. How Arc + Crown Media Can Help Your Organization At Arc + Crown Media, we specialize in strategic video production that helps organizations educate, train, and inspire their audiences. Whether you’re working with: Volunteers Clients or customers Employees and stakeholders Advocates or community members …we can help you build animated and live-action video series that turn complex ideas into clear, compelling content. We specialize in corporate and nonprofit video production that supports long-term communication strategies, not just one-off campaigns. Organizations work with us to create: Animated explainer videos Training and onboarding video libraries Internal communications from leadership teams Culture and employer branding videos Educational and advocacy content This is especially valuable for companies and nonprofits that need to communicate consistently across departments, locations, or audiences. For many of our clients, video becomes a recurring communication asset — helping them save time, improve message clarity, and increase engagement. Here’s what we bring to every project: ✨ Message strategy & script development 🎬 High-quality animated and live action production 📊 Content designed for multi-platform use 🤝 Collaborative creative process tailored to your mission Video isn’t just storytelling — it’s a strategic communication tool that scales your training, expands engagement, and aligns audiences around your mission. Ready to Make Video Work for You? If your organization needs: Training and onboarding content Advocacy or awareness campaigns Educational or mission-driven storytelling Animated explanation videos …video can be one of the most effective ways to communicate. Looking for Animated or Training Video Production in Canada? If your organization is planning: Volunteer or employee training programs Advocacy or awareness initiatives Internal communications strategies Educational content for clients or stakeholders Professional video production can dramatically improve how your message is understood and remembered. Arc + Crown Media is a Canadian video production company specializing in animated and live-action video content for training, internal communications, and advocacy. We help organizations communicate complex ideas clearly and connect with their audiences authentically. 👉 Contact Arc & Crown Media to learn how video can support your communication goals. Arc + Crown Media creates video content that helps organizations communicate clearly, connect authentically, and scale their impact. Let’s talk about your next video project and how we can help you achieve your goals.
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