Reality Check

It has been an enlightening experience watching Jeremy Dalton explore and explain the world of VR and AR to the rest of us for the past years. Experiences are also the core foundation of any value-adding XR delivery, and there is still so much more value for businesses to unlock with this technology. That is why this book is so important. In his book, Jeremy Dalton democratizes the understanding of both the problem and the possibilities with XR technology. This book is a must-read for businesses and practitioners who want to understand the past, present, and future of this field.

Jeremy Dalton's Reality Check is essential reading for anyone aiming to navigate the transformative potential of XR in business, especially in these uncertain times, and with so much noise out there. With clarity and depth, Jeremy dismantles myths, clarifies misconceptions, and provides insights. Anchored in reality, this book is for leaders ready to leverage immersive technologies within their businesses and creative work. As someone deeply involved in XR and strategic foresight, I appreciate how the book cuts through hype, making complex topics accessible and practical. With the hype of the metaverse in past years, and the hype of AI in current times, this is like fresh water, and as I like to say, 'Snap back to reality, here comes gravity.' A highly recommended guide to understanding the real-world impact of XR.

Reality Check, the first edition, was such an accessible, comprehensive, and informative read that I advised my clients and colleagues at the time to buy it! I also bought it for some prospective clients. These were decisionmakers who were on the fence about adopting immersive technologies for training, and they found the proof of efficacy they needed to convince them - in the book. Reading one or two of the excellently compiled case studies provided the exact metrics and validation needed to close the deal. The second edition of this book comes at another key moment in relation to technology adoption lifecycles. AI is the hot new topic - drawing funding and focus away from the proven value-add of immersive technologies across all verticals, from tourism to education, to healthcare, and training across industry. The new chapters on AI and XR presented in this publication are vital for decision-makers at this time. Throwing the baby out with the bathwater and thinking AI will replace the unique affordances provided by spatial mediums is, literally -short-sighted! As so eloquently outlined in this book, AI and XR are complementary bedfellows, where headsets of all descriptions will be used for the dissemination of powerful AI-driven applications. This book is not just a vital read for adopters, or those curious about the value-add of immersive technologies - it also serves as an important resource for those of us in the industry. From Jeremy's vast experience implementing immersive solutions at scale, he brings the wisdom outlined in the chapter on '5 phases of XR implementation'. This is a very useful framework to ensure the solutions we build have 'stickability' and move the roll-outs past the pilot stage. Reality Check, 2nd edition, is an essential read at this crucial stage in our industry. I recommend you buy copies for colleagues and clients if they need some convincing!

When the first edition of Reality Check came out, VR/AR was still an emerging field. Since then, Jeremy has been on the front lines deploying these cutting-edge technologies within enterprises looking to unleash their potential. Four years on, and the technology has matured. This book now serves as a thorough resource for anyone looking to cut through the hype and understand how VR/AR can deliver true ROI to their business.