The future of VR gaming was a hot topic at the Game Developer Conference (GDC) 2025 last week. A session titled “Solving VR Gaming’s Visibility Crisis: Strategies for Reaching Mainstream Audiences” brought game developers, marketers, and gaming media like IGN together for a discussion.
Polyarc Games, the VR game company behind the adventure game Moss, reflected on the booming VR era. They used to showcase their game at E3 booths and promote it at concerts and sports events, offering free demos at board game stores. Meanwhile, Meta also made a big splash by featuring Moss in a $42 million Super Bowl ad.
However, the golden age of promoting VR games seems to have come to an end. Game stores no longer have VR headset demos, and Sony is focusing on capturing the hardcore gaming market rather than VR enthusiasts. Meta seems to be prioritizing their own games like Beat Saber or Supernatural.
Ryan McCaffrey, IGN’s managing editor, shared his insights, stating that VR games based on popular franchises like Batman: Arkham Shadow or Alien: Rogue Incursion may still attract interest. However, standalone VR games struggle to grab gamers’ attention.
The survival strategy for VR game studios now lies in promoting their games collectively through social media channels and offering discounts to gamers who buy partner games, which can help support their revenue.
TLDR: The future of VR gaming is uncertain, with strategies shifting towards collective promotion and partnerships to attract mainstream audiences, as standalone VR games struggle to maintain interest in the gaming market.
Leave a Comment