Augmented reality: storytelling of the future

Last week I was introduced to a new form of technology called augmented reality. Augmented reality is a technology that uses computer graphics and elements, similar to virtual reality, but in a way that will kind of enhance how we sense things in that kind of environment. This is the nerd in me talking, but it kind of reminds me of the moving pictures in Harry Potter.

Examples of how this technology can be used would be someone looking at the different restaurants on the street and seeing  ratings and customer comments streamed along the restaurant's window that are updated every few hours, or advertisements can display the use of their products. Sports cards can almost come to life with this technology.

In my 225 class our teacher Jason asked us how this could relate this technology to storytelling. If someone was doing a story on a fire and it was going in print, they could have the people who were affected and have the fire going on in the background, while the steam and smoke come out of the paper.

Using my friend's Sarah's Figpickle's story as an example, a reader could hear the sound of kids playing, a cash register in use, and the shop's doorbell ringing as a customer left with their new purchase.

This technology could help also help tell fictional stories in a more visual way. Mystery fans can seemingly follow in the footsteps of their favorite detectives and find clues that could help them solve a murder.  Fantasy fans could get an up close view of a hobbit fighting a dragon.

Two Marvel comics I would like to get a chance to write are Thor and the Incredible Hulk. With augmented reality, I could easily set up a fierce fight between the two powerhouses that someone could read at home, but it would either make it seem to the viewer that they were in the middle of the battle, or it could look like Thor and Hulk were fighting in their own home.

Although it may seem that books and newspapers are being replaced by more visual ways of telling a story, if a person can still enjoy the story then it's all that really matters.

Off the top of your head: What kind of potential do you think augmented reality can serve in the future? How far do you think it could go? Could it be just limited to only storytelling or advertisements, or are there possibilities where we could make entire worlds out of it?

Links:


Sarah's Figpickles multi-media piece

Jason's new blog

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