The Uncertain Future of VR Gaming

The VR/AR market appears to be making progress, with companies like Meta and Apple launching new headsets and Sony supporting its PSVR 2 with a steady stream of software releases. However, a recent survey of game developers reveals a more pessimistic outlook, with 56% believing the market is declining or stagnating, and only 23% seeing growth. One major issue is that VR technology has advanced significantly, but not necessarily in ways that appeal to casual consumers. Improvements in resolution and framerate are impressive, but may not be as important to mass-market appeal as innovations in form factor, which have been slower to emerge. VR headsets remain bulky, uncomfortable, and often impractical for everyday use. The tech industry has taken notice of these challenges, with companies like Apple and Meta shifting their messaging towards VR/AR as a tool for work and productivity. This approach may ultimately benefit VR gaming, as people become more comfortable using VR devices for other purposes and then discover games as a secondary use. Historically, gaming on PCs and smartphones emerged as a secondary use for devices primarily used for work or communication. The future of VR gaming may depend on the technology becoming more integrated into daily life, rather than relying on games as the primary driver of adoption. If VR devices become ubiquitous and are used for a variety of purposes, gaming may emerge as a natural extension of their use, rather than a primary reason for purchasing a device. This approach could help to overcome the current barriers to entry and make VR gaming more accessible to a wider audience. Ultimately, the development of VR has been largely focused on gaming, but this approach may have reached a dead end. By expanding the use of VR devices beyond gaming, the industry may be able to create a more sustainable and mainstream market for the technology. As VR becomes more deeply ingrained in daily life, the opportunities for gaming on these platforms will likely increase, and the industry may finally realize its full potential.