# VR Board Games 'Mask of Anubis' Combines Virtual Reality and Gaming By Laura McQuarrie | Published 2016-04-07 | Life-Stages Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/virtual-reality-and-gaming References: [japantrends](http://www.japantrends.com/mask-of-anubis-virtual-reality-board-game/) & [japantrendshop](http://www.japantrendshop.com/mask-of-anubis-virtual-reality-board-game-p-3352.html) Virtual reality and gaming go hand-in-hand, but Mask of Anubis is a board game that enhances ordinary gameplay with cutting-edge technology. The game challenges players to venture into a pyramid in order to retrieve a lost treasure. While this storyline could play out using only a board game format, Mask of Anubis enhances the game's story with immersive [virtual reality content](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/slice-of-music). It can be incredibly costly for consumers to acquire [virtual reality headsets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/snack-vr), but this board game includes a shapely paper headpiece (inspired by the Egyptian god Anubis) that's used in conjunction with a smartphone. Through the lens of the VR headpiece, users are able to get a glimpse of the maze inside the pyramid. With enough exploring, they'll be able to piece together the location of the treasure and win the game. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.4/10 - Popularity: 47% | Activity: 48% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 70% men, 30% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial - Top markets: Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Life-Stages](https://www.trendhunter.com/life-stages) > [Youth](https://www.trendhunter.com/youth) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Immersive Board Games:** Combining traditional board games with cutting-edge technology like virtual reality creates immersive gameplay experiences. - **Affordable Virtual Reality:** Incorporating virtual reality in board games through low-cost accessories allows broader access to immersive gaming experiences. - **Enhanced Storytelling:** Using virtual reality technology in board games enhances the narrative and brings the game to life. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Board Game Industry:** Integrating virtual reality elements into board games opens up new possibilities for innovation and growth within the board game industry. - **Virtual Reality Industry:** The use of virtual reality in board games presents opportunities for the virtual reality industry to expand its market and reach a wider audience. - **Mobile Gaming Industry:** Developing virtual reality board games that utilize smartphones as the primary interface taps into the growing market of mobile gamers and virtual reality enthusiasts. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Immersive XR Board Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sportrack.md) - [Multimedia Treasure Hunts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/madoks-interactive-treasure-hunt.md) - [Guided Challenge Party Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/human-controller.md) - [Extended Reality Gaming Glasses](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/virtue-one.md) - [Phygital Kids Board Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tacto.md) - [Immersive Halloween-Themed VR Experiences](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/zero-latency-vr.md) - [Connected Digital Game Boards](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-last-gameboard.md) - [Adventurous Story-Driven Board Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/rpg-board-game.md) - [Digitized Board Game Consoles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/board-game-consoles.md)