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[Gamer_By_Proxy]

I love Batman. You love Batman. But Batman alone cannot save/revive the VR Market...(you know this to be true)

That’s a different topic altogether. It’s the cheap mass market product with a GOTY VR game packed in. I think the marketing is shit. I didn’t even know about this quest 3s bundle til the day I bought it in the store and I’m all over gaming news everyday.

 

[Dr. Wilkinson]

It really shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone. Who wants to wear a plastic helmet over their head in front of other people? And where’s the big killer app that makes me feel like I need to go out and buy a VR set because I have to have that game? Neither of those things ever happened. I’d say we’re a decade or two away. Likely longer because of the failure of PSVR and PSVR2 and others have made it so companies are wary of trying it again. And then all the people who got motion sickness? Yikes. Sounds like it’s not ready for prime time yet.

 

[consoul]

What if being enthusiastically supported within a segment isn't failure?

Mainstream adoption isn't the only definition of success.

 

[Three]

And where’s the big killer app that makes me feel like I need to go out and buy a VR set because I have to have that game? Neither of those things ever happened. I’d say we’re a decade or two away.

That happened ages ago already with the likes of Astrobot, HLAlyx, Beat Saber, RE, GT7 etc. They were must have games but if you don't have any interest in those then you're not really going to have any interest in some mythical game that hasn't come out yet either.

 

[LavitzSlambert]

VR is inherently a new, but not default way to play games. Too many people have bad physical reactions to VR, whether it's motion sickness or eye strain, or fatigue. I think it could have had its mainstream moment if Sony didn't fuck up the PSVR2 launch so badly. $550 for a rushed wired headset that requires a PS5, with no exclusives or backward compatibility, and no PC adapter until years later.

 

[Three]

VR is inherently a new, but not default way to play games. Too many people have bad physical reactions to VR, whether it's motion sickness or eye strain, or fatigue. I think it could have had its mainstream moment if Sony didn't fuck up the PSVR2 launch so badly. $550 for a rushed wired headset that requires a PS5, with no exclusives or backward compatibility, and no PC adapter until years later.

The only thing that sucked about the PSVR2 was the baffling lack of BC. Everything else was gravy, it has exclusives too, and I'm enjoying mine a lot.

 

[LavitzSlambert]

The only thing that sucked about the PSVR2 was the baffling lack of BC. Everything else was gravy, it has exclusives too, and I'm enjoying mine a lot.

It has exclusives like Xbox has exclusives, good if you were going to own the device, but not killer app system sellers. I only picked up a PSVR2 bundle recently, but it was only because of the price drop, the Resident Evil games VR mode (as close to exclusive as it gets), and because it can play Half-Life: Alyx, someday.

At launch, it had very little to offer and was priced far too high for the experience. Jimbo screwed it up big time.

 

[Wonko_C]

That’s a different topic altogether. It’s the cheap mass market product with a GOTY VR game packed in. I think the marketing is shit. I didn’t even know about this quest 3s bundle til the day I bought it in the store and I’m all over gaming news everyday.

I know a lot of great VR games can go over the radar if you're all over gaming news everyday, but not VR-specific gaming news. I swear mainstream gaming media have it in for VR. They likely begrudgingly reviewed Batman only because they got sent review copies (and even then Meta had to send them a Quest 3s so they could play it, so it's not like they're not trying to market their thing).

Where were the IGN/Gamespot reviews when Skydance's Behemoth came out during the same period? Metro Awakening? Arizona Sunshine Remake?

Even their "news" are biased with headlines such as: "A new Batman game is coming, but it's exclusive to VR". Did we ever hear the same thing about Astro Bot being PS5 exclusive? Nah, they celebrate that type of BS.

 

[Gamer_By_Proxy]

I know a lot of great VR games can go over the radar if you're all over gaming news everyday, but not VR-specific gaming news. I swear mainstream gaming media have it in for VR. They likely begrudgingly reviewed Batman only because they got sent review copies (and even then Meta had to send them a Quest 3s so they could play it, so it's not like they're not trying to market their thing).

Where were the IGN/Gamespot reviews when Skydance's Behemoth came out during the same period? Metro Awakening? Arizona Sunshine Remake?

Even their "news" are biased with headlines such as: "A new Batman game is coming, but it's exclusive to VR". Did we ever hear the same thing about Astro Bot being PS5 exclusive? Nah, they celebrate that type of BS.

Ikr, I bought Metro and Behemoth too. Theres tons of great games to play now. The gaming media doesn’t know how to draw in the hardcore gaming base. They won’t even do articles on topics that blow up on X. I thought they need clicks . . . now they’d rather have articles on Netflix shows and movies that no one gives two shits about.

Quest 3s with Batman would be a great ad/article. Steam Deck and utilizing gg.deals would be a great ad/article. Using psvr2 on pc to play Half Life. Using that big screen app on quest. Etc.

There’s a lot of great gaming topics they ignore that keep gamers in the dark. Hell they usually don’t even tell us when demos for big games drop.

 

[poppabk]

A survey of game developers opinions? The same ones who just burned hundreds of millions of dollars on DEI games that no-one wanted to play?

 

[Arachnid]

When they have a better/larger selection of Alyx/RE4 level games, the headset gets downsized, the price isn't ridiculous, AND they stop making games exclusives to headsets (my VR should be universal like my Arctis 7 headset, it's too expensive to not be), I'll support it.

Until then, I patiently wait for it to become worth it.

 

[ResurrectedContrarian]

It is a bit weird to hear people ask for a killer app/game, when Alyx exists.

If Alyx didn't exist, and we were having this conversation today, and I said to you: "well, imagine if Valve basically put Half Life 3 on VR as an exclusive, would that do it for you?" and anyone hearing that would say, sure but that'll never happen. But it did happen. Quite literally the most anticipated game of the past several decades -- a real, full-size follow-up to the Half Life series--was a VR exclusive. It's not hyperbole to say that's probably the greatest hardware exclusive to happen in decades.

 

[DownLikeBCPowder]

I still want a VR headset really bad. I've been waiting for years for the tech to "get there" - wherever there is. I'm sure I'd have a good time with it, but I know there are walled gardens and while that in itself isn't an issue for me, I don't think there's any killer app out there for me (that I know of), but at the same time, it's harder to become aware of such killer apps due to the nature of the technology. It's not like seeing Mario 64 on the display television at Target and understanding the revolutionary nature instantly, or even watching a video or preview of a next gen title.

 

[BackBackPunch]

Meta/Quest, as much as it has accomplished, isn't mass market.

Sony, Nintendo, and (once upon a time) Xbox are "Mass Market" when it comes to videogames...

GameCube sold 20 million. There’s really no excuse for a 20 million install base to not have quality software

 

[semiconscious]

What if being enthusiastically supported within a segment isn't failure?

Mainstream adoption isn't the only definition of success.

as long as that enthusiast support (hardware/software) translates into putting food on the developers' tables, then, sure, that's fine...

 

[tr1p1ex]

IMagine VR hardware manufacturers eventually able to make gaming more convenient by getting rid of the helmet, putting the image on a flat screen on your wall and letting you control your game from the couch? And the new fangled controls allowed a new class of fast action games not possible in VR. IMagine you and your friends playing together on the same screen and being able to see each other's reaction. And no one would get sick, you could easily snack and look at your phone during downtime in the game. Imagine this new tech...

VR is tech going backwards in many ways.

 

[SatansReverence]

VR works fine for me.

Been getting into sim racing a lot over the last 18 months and ended up wanting to try it before shelling out for a 3 screen setup.

It was quite the ball ache getting it working just right but now I'm doing multi hour endurance races in a quest 3.

Also dabble in other titles occasionally like Alyx, beat saber and even a Halo CE vr mod.

Never had motion sickness issues.

VR definitely has its place but generally its not in the mainstream casual experiences.

 

[sono]

I keep saying but no one listens you need trial headsets in retail. Most folk have never seen or tried a headset first hand.

 

[buenoblue]

I was incredibly hyped for VR.

Then I tried it, I felt sick.

Every time I played VR I feel sick

There’s only a handful of games where my head and body movement is the only thing that can move me in the game that don’t make me sick.

As soon as I have to use a stick to move my character I’m done for.

This 100% games are all about fast movement. Vr is not suitable for this. Apart from a small minority, most people feel weird and sick in vr. It's fucked lol

 

[Hohenheim]

I've tried several times to enjoy VR, but only game I really enjoyed was Resi Evil 7. That was probably because I used a normal controller. I hate having to wave my arms around and "pick up" stuff etc.
And it's a hassle to get the room ready for using it too.
Not even the mighty Half Life Alyx did it for me, although it's technically fantastic.

 

[crackajack]

VR is pretty much dead just like 3D TVs.

the stupid thing about this is, both died (are on life support) for no real reason. Both are gimicky more intense additions to the regular chill stuff. The devs just would need to plan ahead if they want to have it, can't fake stuff for a 2D output when that won't work for 3D, but almost every game would work in 3D or VR without major problems and imho much additional work if just done mindfully alongside regular development. Everyone expected too much instead, mostly from VR, less from 3D, almost like a whole new platform and additional sales on top of the regular platforms while all it could ever do was be another neat feature for any game, just like nice graphics, good voice acting, interesting story etc. are too. Not its own thing, just an additional thing.

 

[JCK75]

I love VR but it's an expensive hobby that requires a lot of empty space to use.. I used mine every day before the divorce but once I had more limited space to work with in the apartment it's been two years and I've not even taken it out of the box.

 

[ResilientBanana]

No one really made that much killer content. They monopolized first person but not much else.

 

[rodrigolfp]

I love Batman. You love Batman. But Batman alone cannot save/revive the VR Market...(you know this to be true)

Good think Batman is far from being the only one.

 

[rodrigolfp]

It really shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone. Who wants to wear a plastic helmet over their head in front of other people? And where’s the big killer app that makes me feel like I need to go out and buy a VR set because I have to have that game? Neither of those things ever happened

Anyone that is not a special snowflake plus you don't need to be in front of anyone and there are tons of killer apps like Asgard Wraths, HL Alyx, Batman, Dooms, Quakes, Assetto Corsas, Skyrim VR, Fallout VR, Metroid Primes VR, etc etc...

 

[Majukun]

it definitely did not became as popular as i thought it would.
but the tech is here to stay and improve, get lighter, better and cheaper

 

[Dr. Wilkinson]

Anyone that is not a special snowflake plus you don't need to be in front of anyone and there are tons of killer apps like Asgard Wraths, HL Alyx, Batman, Dooms, Quakes, Assetto Corsas, Skyrim VR, Fallout VR, Metroid Primes VR, etc etc...

Well, obviously, not though, because companies are divesting away from it and no longer supporting their VR platforms. Reality is the opposite of what you’re saying, except for a small niche.

 

[rodrigolfp]

Well, obviously, not though, because companies are divesting away from it and no longer supporting their VR platforms. Reality is the opposite of what you’re saying, except for a small niche.

The existing games and the "small niche" games will still be around so still very worth.

 

[damidu]

tech is impressive, and has the wow factor modern gaming is lacking
and don't think there is a killer app issue too.
there are already couple of them available.

it still just feels too much of a hassle to use. whenever i cave in and buy one of these, it always ends up collecting dust.

I don't think it can get mainstream, before we have some quantum leap to that ps9-ad type mind control thing.

 

[Minsc]

The game release I'm most looking forward to next month in April (Pinball FX) is on a failed VR platform, and I'm ok with that.

To be honest, VR being successful or failure doesn't really seem to matter in what games we get on it. Success or failure, more or less the same spread of games release.

VR needs to fully evolve, a few times, to actually be a mainstream success. And by evolve I mean MUCH, MUCH more than just Index > Deckard.

 

[Wonko_C]

IMagine VR hardware manufacturers eventually able to make gaming more convenient by getting rid of the helmet, putting the image on a flat screen on your wall and letting you control your game from the couch? And the new fangled controls allowed a new class of fast action games not possible in VR. IMagine you and your friends playing together on the same screen and being able to see each other's reaction. And no one would get sick, you could easily snack and look at your phone during downtime in the game. Imagine this new tech...

VR is tech going backwards in many ways.

So basically the Nintendo Wii.

I've tried several times to enjoy VR, but only game I really enjoyed was Resi Evil 7. That was probably because I used a normal controller. I hate having to wave my arms around and "pick up" stuff etc.
And it's a hassle to get the room ready for using it too.
Not even the mighty Half Life Alyx did it for me, although it's technically fantastic.

thisisneogaf.gif

I understand some people use games to relax, not to challenge themselves. Whenever possible and when it makes sense, VR games should have options to let people play how they want, (It's not like you could play games like Beat Saber with button presses).

That being said, enjoyed RE7 too but I always wished I could play it with motion controls like RE8/4. I like the extra interactivity of having to manually reload, aiming is much more fun and easier when you do it like a real gun instead of moving a stick to aim a cursor only to keep overshooting or undershooing everything, and overall I find first-person perspective in VR to be way more natural than in flatscreen games. Not to mention the advantage of having your two hands and your head being able to move independent from each other.

FPP in VR feels like moving in real life, while FPP on a TV feels like you're remote-controlling a robot-camera attached to a floating weapon that is too close to the lenses of said camera. (And on the same note, do these people who hate that VR games are in FP hate that their life is viewed in first-person too? LOL!)

 

[rm082e]

I've played a variety of games on the Rift, the Vive, the Quest 2, and PSVR. Every experience I've had in VR has been either "meh", or "oh, that's kind of neat". I have never once felt excited to spend hours playing in those experiences like I do with regular AAA games.

HL Alex, Moss, and Beat Saber are the high water marks for me. None of them blew my mind. They all felt like supplemental games. I'm not trying to be mean here, but I have more fond memories of playing mobile games over the years than I do VR games.

 

[Herr Edgy]

Does success for VR imply every grandma wears a VR headset instead of watching TV in the evening?

VR is successful enough. It's just not for everyone.

Would appreciate more games on the quality level of Alyx though

 

[SirKicksalot]

the stupid thing about this is, both died (are on life support) for no real reason.

Avatar 3D being a Panasonic exclusive for two years was so stupid. You could only get it with a Panasonic TV or in a kit with glasses that only worked on those TVs. Rechargeable glasses sucked btw
The killer app was unavailable for most people.

 

[ResurrectedContrarian]

Well, obviously, not though, because companies are divesting away from it and no longer supporting their VR platforms. Reality is the opposite of what you’re saying, except for a small niche.

Not sure this is the reality at all; perhaps for Sony, but they simply have a poor track record of supporting anything. The leader in this tech -- Meta -- is still apparently all-in with its investment, and doing very well with it from what can be guessed at sales etc. And Valve is supposedly about to move into its new hardware investment with Deckard sometime soon.

 

[Hohenheim]

I understand some people use games to relax, not to challenge themselves.

I definitely like to challenge myself with games, but prefer to do it with keyboard/mouse or a controller while watching a screen, and leave the moving around to a proper workout at the gym
Also I get some motion sickness too, especially when having to move around.
Never got sick playing RE7 with a controller in VR.

 

[Miles708]

Using VR is like going inside a rollercoaster in your house.

I don't want a rollercoaster in my house.

 

[rodrigolfp]

I definitely like to challenge myself with games, but prefer to do it with keyboard/mouse or a controller while watching a screen, and leave the moving around to a proper workout at the gym
Also I get some motion sickness too, especially when having to move around.
Never got sick playing RE7 with a controller in VR.

Play not moving around. You move with the controller stick.

 

[genesisblock]

Too expensive for the average consumer and even gems like Half Life: Alyx is too much of a niche for the general audience. Another technology markdown for affordable headsets might revive the industry.

 

[Mithos]

Right now VR hardware is to large in size and expensive in price for an accessory.
If I could run it as a 3D screen on all my PC games it could be interesting, because I have a 3D TV and it looks very cool in many games (that support 3D) but you're locked to 30fps in 3D due to the TV.

 

[rodrigolfp]

Too expensive for the average consumer and even gems like Half Life: Alyx is too much of a niche for the general audience. Another technology markdown for affordable headsets might revive the industry.

$300 is too expensive how?? Alyx is too much of a niche how??

 

[Lunarorbit]

Fucking Sony. Why did they even bother with psvr2? Seriously.

If you aren't going to support it at all why even spend all that money and R&D? Sony releasing psvr2 is up there with Embracer group wasting 100s of millions of dollars being boneheads.

 

[RafterXL]

There are too many hurdles for VR to become popular with the mainstream. It's just going nowhere, and to actually get over the hump and become a household thing would piss off the people who already enjoy it. Here is what you would need:

1) Glasses. Anything bigger than a pair of Ray Bans isn't going to work for the average person. *** tech isn't even there.
2) Full library support. That means traditional games with added VR support, not just gimmicky VR games designed to sell a headset. *** will literally never happen.
3) Traditional controller/keyboard/mouse support, by default. Most gamers, even those interested in VR don't want to stand, run, jump, flail their arms around, none of that. I can't count the number of people who've been excited for VR only to fall off because they just want to sit down, relax, and play their games. *** VR purists will think this is sacrilege and make for a lesser immersive experience, and they're right, but so what?
4) Cost. We all have expensive hardware, consoles, video cards, tvs, etc. No one wants to spend $500 on a headset that only plays a limited amount of games that you also have to pay for.

So, yeah, it's never happening and the people who love VR should probably be happy that it is what it is and just enjoy what they have.

 

[fart town usa]

Fucking Sony. Why did they even bother with psvr2? Seriously.

If you aren't going to support it at all why even spend all that money and R&D? Sony releasing psvr2 is up there with Embracer group wasting 100s of millions of dollars being boneheads.

I'm pretty sure Sony has always sold the headset at a profit though. I'd be surprised if they lost a serious amount of money, and if they did, it has to pale to their other boondoggles in their GAAS push.

PSVR2 is nice but the tracking tech isn't unique and it's ultimately just a monitor with a USB C cable.

 

[Dr.Morris79]

One of the greatest concepts you could possibly imagine, run by complete incompetence.

 

[Lunarorbit]

I'm pretty sure Sony has always sold the headset at a profit though. I'd be surprised if they lost a serious amount of money, and if they did, it has to pale to their other boondoggles in their GAAS push.

PSVR2 is nice but the tracking tech isn't unique and it's ultimately just a monitor with a USB C cable.

I don't understand the strategy. Is it just cause Sony has been a hardware company for so long and they wanted to have their own experience with the tech? Remember gaika and how much they spent only to be lapped by xbox. Is this just a similar situation?

 

[fart town usa]

I don't understand the strategy. Is it just cause Sony has been a hardware company for so long and they wanted to have their own experience with the tech? Remember gaika and how much they spent only to be lapped by xbox. Is this just a similar situation?

I think they just wanted a foot in the door in case it took off.

They really aren't doing anything with it though. They funded RE VR ports, which is awesome, but outside of that we got Horizon COTM, which is pretty but forgettable. And then GT7 which is a banger. Humanity as well but completely irrelevant game.

I'm glad PSVR2 exists but I don't blame anyone for not buying one.

 

[rodrigolfp]

There are too many hurdles for VR to become popular with the mainstream. It's just going nowhere, and to actually get over the hump and become a household thing would piss off the people who already enjoy it. Here is what you would need:

1) Glasses. Anything bigger than a pair of Ray Bans isn't going to work for the average person. *** tech isn't even there.
2) Full library support. That means traditional games with added VR support, not just gimmicky VR games designed to sell a headset. *** will literally never happen.
3) Traditional controller/keyboard/mouse support, by default. Most gamers, even those interested in VR don't want to stand, run, jump, flail their arms around, none of that. I can't count the number of people who've been excited for VR only to fall off because they just want to sit down, relax, and play their games. *** VR purists will think this is sacrilege and make for a lesser immersive experience, and they're right, but so what?
4) Cost. We all have expensive hardware, consoles, video cards, tvs, etc. No one wants to spend $500 on a headset that only plays a limited amount of games that you also have to pay for.

So, yeah, it's never happening and the people who love VR should probably be happy that it is what it is and just enjoy what they have.

1) Why would not work?? Don't tell me average people think a Quest is too heavy...
2) There are tons of those games for Quests standalone + PC VR.
3) Not a problem having options for controller/keyboard/mouse support by default. But most of the big games can be played siting down and moving the character using the controller stick. Only the arms you need to move.
4)Quest 2 and 3S are cheap.

 

[RafterXL]

1) Why would not work?? Don't tell me average people think a Quest is too heavy...
2) There are tons of those games for Quests standalone + PC VR.
3) Not a problem having options for controller/keyboard/mouse support by default. But most of the big games can be played siting down and moving the character using the controller stick. Only the arms you need to move.
4)Quest 2 and 3S are cheap.

1) Yes, they do. The average person thinks wearing the Quest is stupid and bulky and weird. That is the problem with fandoms, we see things as they are acceptable to us, not average people. You are literally not going to go mainstream with a headset.
2) It's not enough. People invested in their gaming want to play the games they like. They don't want Horizon Bullshit VR edition, they want Horizon Forbidden West. Look at your VR library and then look at the library for whatever platform you choose, and see how unappealing the VR library is in comparison.
3) Most VR games are gimmick games. People just want regular games, with regular controllers. That's how you pull the masses.
4) Quest 2 doesn't exist to purchase anymore and the 3S is $300. That's not cheap for an unnecessary gaming device with a limited library that you have to wear on your head like a helmet. Come on, man.

That's what I'm talking about, these things seem reasonable to you, or even me, but to the average person they are all unreasonable things. That's why I'm saying it's probably destined to just be a niche that and people who already think it's great can just enjoy it for what it is. It's like buying a $2000 video card, it's there if you want it, but most people aren't going near it.

 

[rodrigolfp]

1) Yes, they do. The average person thinks wearing the Quest is stupid and bulky and weird. That is the problem with fandoms, we see things as they are acceptable to us, not average people. You are literally not going to go mainstream with a headset.
2) It's not enough. People invested in their gaming want to play the games they like. They don't want Horizon Bullshit VR edition, they want Horizon Forbidden West. Look at your VR library and then look at the library for whatever platform you choose, and see how unappealing the VR library is in comparison.
3) Most VR games are gimmick games. People just want regular games, with regular controllers. That's how you pull the masses.
4) Quest 2 doesn't exist to purchase anymore and the 3S is $300. That's not cheap for an unnecessary gaming device with a limited library that you have to wear on your head like a helmet. Come on, man.

That's what I'm talking about, these things seem reasonable to you, or even me, but to the average person they are all unreasonable things. That's why I'm saying it's probably destined to just be a niche that and people who already think it's great can just enjoy it for what it is. It's like buying a $2000 video card, it's there if you want it, but most people aren't going near it.

1) Then average people that are stupid.
2)Some people buy consoles to play only GTA, CoD and FIFA and you are saying that a library with much more than that are not enough??
3) If people just want regular game of course they will not want VR the same way people wanting regular games will not play on phones.
4)$300 is cheap af for a device that is a standalone gaming platform plus an accessory for PCVR. "Unnecessary or not every gaming platform can be.