If free-to-play games are ever going to take root in virtual reality, they’re going to need a way for people to pay for sparkly outfits, extra energy, and other in-app purchases while still in VR. Looks like someone is working on that.
Worldpay is demoing a system to make payments in VR work. This could be a crucial step in not just helping games gain a stronger footing in VR but also enabling so much of its commercial potential as a virtual showroom. Imagine picking up a book in a digital bookstore, flipping through its VR pages, and then buying a copy for your e-reader of choice … or a good old-fashioned hardcover.
Or ordering red seats when buying a car in a VR showroom. Or seeing just how cool that electric nimbus will look on your character’s bow in an online VR game.
But none of this can happen without a way to pay for it. With a VR brouhaha brewing on mobile and more folks getting into VR broadcasting, it’s important that we find an easy way to make purchases without having to take the Rift off our head and face … a reality.
For AR/VR coverage, send news tips to Dean Takahashi and Jeff Grubb (for those that cross over into PC gaming). Please send guest post submissions toRowan Kaiser. Please be sure to visit our AR/VR Channel.
—Jason Wilson, GamesBeat managing editor
P.S. Rogue One: A Star Wars Story screenwriter Gary Whitta has thoughts on VRthat have nothing to do with a galaxy far, far away.
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Source: Venture Beat