AR, VR and XR get used as if they mean the same thing. They don’t, and the difference matters when you’re deciding what to build.
AR adds to your world
Augmented reality layers digital things onto the space you’re already in. You still see your room, your friends and your street, plus something extra: a pair of sunglasses on your face, a creature on your desk, a jersey on your reflection. It works on the phone you already own, which is why it travels so well.
VR replaces it
Virtual reality swaps your surroundings for a fully digital one. You put on a headset and the real room disappears. That’s powerful for immersion, but it asks more of people: a device, a space and a few minutes of setup.
XR is the umbrella
XR is the catch-all term for AR, VR and everything in between. When someone says XR, ask which one they actually mean.
How we choose
At Raccoonies we start from the feeling we want people to have, then pick the channel. A playful moment to share with friends is a Snapchat AR experience. A crowd at a stadium is a big screen. A store opening is an AR mirror. A game that lives in your living room is Spectacles.