GAN, also known as GameAccount Network, announced the launch of its first virtual reality product using the Oculus Rift technology from Facebook. The company introduced the VR version of its free to play product called Simulated Gaming which works well on home PCs and is equipped with Oculus Rift headsets for virtual reality. The company’s first client is Empire City Casino in New York.
The VR Simulated Gaming application consists of a range of slot games and other services such as poker dice, gin rummy, backgammon, poker and blackjack tournaments. In addition to the VR environments, the software also has a main casino gaming floor with many bonuses and games.
The CEO at GAN Dermot Smurfit told media that the add-on module will firstly be available only to men aged between 30 and 54 years old. He added that dismissing this technology is naive and that soon virtual reality will become the next big Internet platform.
The real money version of the GAN’s virtual reality product will perhaps be available to players in New Jersey sometime in 2016. For now, it is a subject to approval by the gambling commission. Smurfit believes that VR is the next big thing that will close the gap between the real casino experience and the flat two dimensional rendering which is available via PCs and smartphones and tablets.
According to the CEO, GAN is also planning to offer VR gaming for a couple of markets end the end of 2016 if the political and regulatory authorities allow it.
Simulated Gaming is available as a mobile web, mobile app, desktop web and PC VR. The shipping of the Oculus Rift headsets started this Monday and is available to developers in the hope to find end-user products. They cost $600 and it will take some time before the final version reaches the mass.