Unlocking the Potential of VR Natives: The Future of Virtual Reality

The virtual reality landscape is evolving, with a new generation of gamers - dubbed VR natives - at the forefront. This demographic, spanning 13 to 24 years old, is characterized by a willingness to experiment with novel experiences and a preference for social, slower-paced interactions. According to research, VR natives spend more time playing VR, with sessions lasting 20-30 minutes longer, and engage in 3-4 sessions per day, compared to 1-2 sessions for older audiences. They are also more likely to embrace room-scale experiences, unencumbered by space constraints, and are culturally invested in the VR ecosystem, actively sharing their experiences on social media platforms. To cater to this audience, Compass Studio is focusing on developing social, sandbox-style games that promote player interaction and engagement at a self-determined pace. While solo games will not be entirely overlooked, the emphasis is on creating immersive, shared experiences that resonate with players across the VR native spectrum. By leveraging a combination of quantitative and qualitative data, including regular playtesting sessions with VR natives, Compass aims to craft compelling, engaging experiences that meet the unique needs and desires of this emerging demographic. As the VR native audience continues to grow and evolve, their tastes will inevitably shift, but the demographic itself is poised to endure, with new players entering the ecosystem at a rate that surpasses the rate at which existing players leave.