Drone Gaming: Could it Make You a Better Pilot?
Can you get the FPV Experience through Gaming?
Video games are dominating the media with advanced graphics, cinematic visuals, A list voice actors, and innovative gameplay. The onset of immersive VR experiences has substantially revolutionized how we interact with our entertainment. Nowadays, people experience many common activities through gaming. There are simulation games for various occupations, relationships, and life in general. Steam, an online distribution platform for games, is home to many products like this, and among their listings are several such simulators for drone piloting.
Even The Drone Racing League has developed their own simulator available on the platform. Their homepage describes it as “the premier FPV racing game and simulator” although on steam, the simulator has received mixed reviews. Issues with bugs and accuracy have been the most common complaints. For troubled players, the DRL Simulator has a FAQ page and a Steam community forum, so player’s can find solutions and discussions by navigating through those pages.
Independent game developers are also seeking to replicate FPV piloting, giving gamers the racing experience at home. For example, Liftoff (released November 2015) is one of several Virtual Reality FPVs available on Steam. Hundreds of reviews rate the game very positively, and commenters applaud the game for being accurate to real life quadcopter piloting experience. Another game with positive reviews is Drone Hero. Released last summer, reviewers describe Drone Hero as having great controls and entertaining VR gameplay.
While still in their early stages, VR headsets are primed to be the next step in gaming. The obvious similarities between VR and FPV make FPV racing a logical business move for any game developer. Especially, considering how deprived the market is for a variety of drone based games.
I am a writer and an artist based in Georgia. Specializing in illustration, graphic design, and video art, I love to explore the new ways technology intersects with art. I think drones have done amazing things for photography and video art, making what would previously be costly and difficult more accessible. As a complete novice, it was only recently that I saw what independent artists could do with their drones, and I continue to be impressed by the sights that drones are able to explore and the images they can capture. Instagram: @tyesha.ferron
