Razer uses projectors for more immersive gaming

Declining prices of projectors in recent years has helped increase the popularity of home theaters. Some consumers appreciate being able to get a larger display for less money, effectively replacing their TVs. Projectors do not have to replace TVs, though. They can work as a complement, as Razer has shown with its Ariana projector concept. The idea is part of the Razer Chroma, which is meant to help developers add lighting and video effects to games.

The way Ariana works is by projecting an image on the wall behind a TV or a monitor. In demonstrations, the image from the projector looks slightly out of focus or more washed out while the image on the screen is sharp. This is supposed to mimic how people see by focusing on what is directly in front of them with everything else blurred out. The effect is that a room can become a vessel for virtual reality, no headset required.

The projector that Razer uses to demonstrate this concept supports 4K and has depth-sensing cameras. This allows the projector to account for other objects in the room like furniture and, of course, the screen that will be at the center of the projected image. Razer expects to have this out by the end of the year.

The concept is exciting for more than just what Razer showed off. It is easy to imagine a future in which 360-degree projectors could allow for even more immersive gaming. This kind of technology would compete with VR headsets, of course. Not everyone has the space for a projector, so VR headsets have an advantage in that respect. There has not been a lot of innovation with projectors beyond making them brighter with higher resolution, though. Razer is finally changing that and might give more people a reason to equip their house with one.