http://fortune.com/2016/01/05/virtual-reality-game-industry-to-generate-billions/
Video games will be the key driver of virtual reality hardware this year, according to a new report from SuperData Research. Game developers will have a global audience of 55.8 million virtual reality users and produce 38.9 million virtual reality devices this year.
Consumers will spend $5.1 billion on virtual reality gaming hardware, accessories, and software in 2016. Thats up from $660 million in 2015, says the marketing leader. Meanwhile, the global market is expected to grow to $8.9 billion in 2017 and $12.3 billion in 2018.
A breakdown of this years $5.1 billion global market shows Europe in the lead with a $1.9 billion share and North America close behind with $1.6 billion. Thats followed by Asia with $1.1 billion, and the rest of the world accounting for $0.6 billion.
According to SuperData director of research Stephanie Llamas, light mobile virtual reality devices (like Google GOOGL 0.64% Cardboard) will drive the market at first with an audience of 27.1 million. Premium mobile virtual reality hardware like Samsung Gear VR will account for 2.5 million units sold in 2016. However, PC virtual reality devices (like Facebooks Oculus Rift and the HTC Vive) will sell 6.6 million headsets, with Sonys PlayStation VR selling 1.9 million units.