10 VR Game Trends for 2024: How the Market Is Evolving

Udonis ^ | Jan 24 2024 | Andrea Knezovic

[fireman15]

Table of contents
1. VR Is Cheaper Than Ever
2. Major Improvements in VR Experiences
3. VR Games Lead the Way to the Metaverse
4. VR Games Follow Monetization Trends
5. Mixed Reality Experiences
6. Standalone Headsets
7. VR Cloud Gaming
8. Better and More Engaging VR Content
9. Adventure, Shooter, and Simulation Genres Are the Most Popular
10. VR Is Extending Beyond Gaming
VR Game Trends: A Summary

The VR games market is evolving and maturing. It's predicted to almost double in size in 2024 and grow at a CAGR of 42%. (Newzoo) That's thanks to key developments in VR technology, hardware, and software that drive the market forward. Here are the most important VR game trends you should know about.

Data source: Newzoo

1. VR Is Cheaper Than Ever
One of the main reasons why VR is moving closer to mass adoption is more affordable hardware and software. While it's still not accessible to everyone, it's cheaper than it ever was before.

There are even some headsets for under $100. However, don't expect exceptional performance from these.

The best affordable VR headset that also has good performance is currently Meta Quest 2. Even with the $100 increase in price in summer 2022, this is still the best budget VR headset – you can get it for around $400.

2. Major Improvements in VR Experiences
The improvements in headsets, controllers, and peripherals are resulting in more interactive and immersive VR experiences. For example, features like eye tracking or haptic feedback in controllers that are available with headsets like PlayStation VR2.

[fireman15]

You edited out, “The best affordable VR headset that also has good performance is currently Meta Quest 2.”

This is the headset that they were referring to that went up in price. Almost every other headset in the market has gone down in price.

[conservativeimage]

Re:17

I’m just relaying what the overall consensus is from all the gamers I’ve watched on youtube and twitch for a decade. Of all the platforms that are available, VR gameplay make up 10% or less of content for the reasons I mentioned. It makes users sick and scared and frustrated with setup. It seems to end up being more of a torture device.

I have a pair of David Clarks for work but I can never get past half a day without them making me sore and giving me a headache. For both, the ultimate results are not pleasant.

[chemical_boy]

You do know you can get prescription lens that attach to the quest 2

https://www.framesdirect.com/virtuclear-lens-inserts-for-oculus-quest-2.html

[mowowie]

Yea i saw those.
I get get a pair of lens protectors that keeps my glasses from hitting the lenses.
Then there is the sweet spot issue that drives me crazy..
Maybe i’ll use it tonight...i’m gonna go charge it up.
I have this cool Star Trek game that i’ve been meaning to get into.

[mowowie]

get get = got

[fireman15]

I'm just relaying what the overall consensus is from all the gamers I've watched on youtube and twitch for a decade. Of all the platforms that are available, VR gameplay make up 10% or less of content for the reasons I mentioned.

I have no doubt that many people get nauseas wearing VR goggles. Outside of flight simulators I don't have much actual gaming experience. I think that it probably depends a lot on the type of goggles and optics, the game, and how motivated the person is to overcome this problem.

If most people continued to have much of a problem with this after they became used to them... I doubt that VR use would be growing at the rate that it currently is.

"The global virtual reality market size was valued at $19.44 billion in 2022 & is projected to grow from $25.11 billion in 2023 to $165.91 billion by 2030."

Virtual Reality [VR] Market Size, Growth, Share Report

[MCH]

Have an Oculus Rift 2. Pretty cool. Retired a couple months ago and have finally had a chance to get into some VR games in earnest via Steam. Absolutely love it, especially Skyrim VR even though it’s a bit long in the tooth for a game. Early on there were some minor nausea issues, but with more use that has gone away and I can easily go a couple or three hours with no problem.

[fireman15]

Thank you very much for mentioning your experience! I looked up both the Oculus Rift 2 and the Skyrim VR game on Steam. Both seem very interesting. Some people seem to be having configuration issues with MSFS 2020 and the VR headset. I need to put together a more powerful computer to use any VR headset with the latest version of Microsoft Flight Simulator.