Virtual and augmented reality are becoming essential in app and game development. 

Discover the key technologies and skills needed to thrive in the new era of 3D experiences.

By 2025, virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) will have expanded far beyond the gaming and entertainment industries. These technologies are now widely used in education, healthcare, architecture, manufacturing, and business. 

The rapid market growth, increasing availability of affordable headsets, and advancements in development engines make AR/VR one of the most promising fields in tech.

The Current State of the AR/VR Market

Previously, high-quality VR headsets cost thousands of dollars and required powerful PCs. Today, more affordable and user-friendly devices have made AR/VR accessible to a broader audience. For example, the latest Meta Quest models are now standalone and wireless, while Apple Vision Pro is poised to revolutionize mixed reality (MR).

How AR and VR Are Reshaping Business

While artificial intelligence continues to dominate tech discussions, the release of Apple Vision Pro in 2024 has shifted the spotlight back to VR/AR technologies. This mixed reality headset is expected to redefine how businesses engage customers, creating immersive brand experiences.

Many entrepreneurs still associate immersive technologies with entertainment, such as social media filters and video games. However, AR and VR can attract new customers, increase sales, and enhance overall business efficiency.

Demystifying AR and VR

• Augmented Reality (AR) overlays digital content onto the real world. This is commonly seen in social media filters on Instagram or TikTok that enhance reality through smartphone screens.

• Virtual Reality (VR) immerses users in a fully digital environment using specialized headsets, completely disconnecting them from the physical world. VR is widely popular in gaming but is also gaining traction in architecture, healthcare, education, and other industries.

By 2030, the AR/VR market is projected to reach an astounding $859 billion. Ignoring this technology is as impractical as avoiding artificial intelligence in 2025.

Key Benefits of AR/VR Technologies:

• Engage audiences with immersive brand experiences.

• Enhance brand awareness and product familiarity.

• Streamline product design and development.

• Reduce production and logistics costs.

• Minimize environmental impact.

• Increase conversion rates.

• Simplify purchasing processes.

• Foster customer loyalty and trust.

Leading AR/VR Development Platforms and Tools

By 2025, developers will have access to numerous tools and platforms for building AR/VR applications. The most essential include:

• Unity – The most popular game engine for VR/AR development, offering extensive tools, plugins, and ready-made templates. Unity supports cross-platform development, which is crucial for applications targeting multiple devices.

• Unreal Engine – Known for its photorealistic graphics and high performance, Unreal Engine is a top choice for creating immersive VR environments, interactive simulations, and architectural projects.

• ARKit and ARCore – Native frameworks from Apple and Google that enable AR experiences on iOS and Android devices. In 2025, these platforms have significantly improved, offering enhanced gesture and hand-tracking, more precise plane detection, and better integration with LiDAR sensors.

Optimizing Business Operations with AR/VR

Beyond customer engagement, immersive technologies offer substantial benefits for internal business operations. From improving remote collaboration to enhancing employee training, the possibilities are vast.

For example, Walmart has integrated VR simulations into its employee training programs, preparing staff for high-pressure situations—a crucial advantage during the early lockdowns. 

Leading companies are also leveraging AR/VR for complex data visualization, innovation-driven problem-solving, and virtual prototyping.

Volkswagen, for instance, uses VR to design and test new vehicle prototypes, reducing time-to-market and improving product quality. Why invest heavily in physical prototypes when VR can streamline the process?

As you can see, AR and VR have endless applications, and their influence will only continue to grow. 

Stay tuned for the latest developments—we’ll be sharing more insights on our blog!