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Augmented reality vs virtual reality: differences

2 min readInventario

Person wearing a virtual reality headset

Augmented reality is defined as the technology and the methods that make it possible to overlay real-world objects and environments with 3D virtual objects by means of an AR device or a device with a camera, and that allow the virtual to interact with real-world objects to create meanings intended by the creators of the software in use.

Inside a device that creates Augmented Reality content, 3D virtual images are placed over real-world objects based on their geometric relationship. That is, these devices must be able to calculate the position and orientation of objects with respect to others. Then the image that emerges as a combination of both things is projected onto mobile phone screens, AR lenses, etc.

Of the games that currently use this technology, we could highlight the following:

  • Pokemon GO
  • Harry Potter Wizard Unite
  • Minecraft earth
  • Animal Crossing Pocket Camp
  • Angry birds Isle Of Pigs, among others.
Person playing Pokémon GO on their phone in the street

Virtual reality, on the other hand, immerses you completely, since it tries to recreate and replace an entire real-life environment with a virtual one. Enriching an image of the real world with computer-generated images and digital information, seeking to change our perception by adding video, infographics, images, sound and other details.

Stereoscopic view of a soldier in a virtual reality video game

When we say that it immerses you completely we are talking about immersion, which means having the sensation of being part of the digital environments being observed. It also means interacting with digital content and life-size 3D virtual objects just as you would in the real world. The ideal is to browse an imaginary virtual world generated by computer. It will seem that you are present doing the things that need to be done there as you would, naturally.

Of the games that currently use this technology, we could highlight the following:

  • Fallout 4 VR
  • Beat Saber
  • Rick and Morty: Virtual Rick-Ality
  • Cloudlands VR Minigolf
  • The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim VR
  • Among others.

This article is a machine translation of the Spanish original.

  • Virtual Reality
  • Innovation

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