Schell Games Embraces VR as a Present and Future Technology

Looking at Schell Games' recent releases, a common thread emerges, with VR titles like I Expect You To Die and Silent Slayer: Vault of the Vampire. When asked if the studio has shifted its focus entirely to VR, Schell responds, 'No, we never do that, because that's how you sink a studio.' Instead, the company takes a cautious approach, making 'slow, strategic bets' in the VR space. This method has allowed Schell Games to test various aspects of VR, such as mixed reality and educational content, and make informed decisions about future investments. Schell notes that the VR market is growing, with the number of Quest headsets exceeding 20 million, and the quality of VR games improving. He also highlights the benefits of Meta's dual-store setup for Quest users, which helps address discoverability issues for developers. While Schell is optimistic about the future of VR, he believes it will become a significant but not dominant part of the gaming industry, potentially accounting for around 15% of the market. He also distinguishes between mixed reality and virtual reality, seeing greater potential for mixed reality as a form of children's entertainment. Discussing technology hype cycles, Schell references Sturgeon's Law, which states that 90% of everything is 'crap.' He emphasizes the importance of perspective and timing, noting that some technologies may take decades to become successful. Ultimately, Schell believes that VR has found its place in the gaming industry and will continue to grow and evolve in the coming years.