They say there is nothing like the VR experience. Many gaming consoles have already started to introduce games that include VR, however the numbers indicate that sales are mediocre at best.
While virtual reality started as a major phenomenon, the craze is slowly dying down with less and less people showing interest in playing VR games. This has become a challenge for developers, but many believe that the potential is still there.
So what’s causing the VR industry to report such dismal numbers? Here are six challenges the industry faces:
Health Concerns
One major issue that is preventing people from using VR headsets is the risk of health related consequences. Developers are trying to create systems with improved ergonomics to fight this issue.
Most systems rely on tools that encumbers a player with the help of physical tethers. In the absence of a proper working hardware, a player could feel nauseated due to the virtual environment.
While cybersickness is a real phenomenon, not everyone who tries virtual gaming reports of symptoms that include headache and vomiting. However, according to reports, 60% users have reported of sickness after playing games using virtual reality. The issue seems to be present among both genders with the situation being more common among men.
2. Psychological Issues
Many experts are concerned about the psychological effects of immersing in virtual environments.
Video games presents various situations, including violent atmospheres. Many psychologists are afraid that being virtually present in such environments may cause the user to get desensitized.
Many psychologists are also afraid that excessive use of such gaming may cause mental illnesses among people and increase the number of sociopaths in the society. However, there isn’t any report to verify this claim yet.
In addition to this, many experts argue that this new world of virtual gaming may cause players to get addicted and go further away from their real lives. Gaming is considered a form of addiction, and this new method of enjoying games may cause players to get addicted even more.
3. Cyber Bullying
Cases of cyber bullying and harassment may increase due to the use of virtual reality. The Guardian reported a case of a woman suffering from sexual harassment in the virtual reality world, saying it felt very real.
While the industry is trying to make VR safer and for everyone, such limitations do exist and it will be awhile before companies are able to find a permanent solution to this challenge.
4. The Price Tag
Many users argue that virtual gaming is very expensive with the required gadgets costing thousands. Plus, you have to spend more on VR games than you do on regular games, causing some buyers to stay away from VR.
While it is believed that the price would eventually fall down in the next few years, businesses are indeed finding it difficult to market VR games due to the high price tag with many people not being able to see the benefits or to justify the higher price tag.
This becomes even more difficult because one can play free games on different platforms, such as the web and even gaming consoles. Moreover, many games even offer bonuses to players to attract them. Such a thing is currently unheard of in the VR industry, but rumors suggest that there are plans to offer more incentives to buyers to attract them.
5. A Lack of Education
Many users are not very well aware of VR and how it actually works. There are certain myths that seem to be doing the round that prevent people from trying VR.
A section of the audience believes VR is too expensive, while other thinks it’s only for certain audiences.
There is a need to eradicate these myths and market the product to a wider audience. The current plan is to go big with giants such as Facebook also jumping the bandwagon and supporting virtual reality.
6. Not Many Options
The technology hasn’t fully reached globally yet with users in several countries have to import devices adding to the cost. In addition to this, many users are unhappy due to a lack of available titles on certain gaming consoles.
While there is tonnes of content on YouTube and app stores, there aren’t many VR games for consoles like Playstation.
Virtual reality isn’t certainly dead yet. It’s a budding phenomenon that will be bigger in the next few years. The market is expected to be worth $30 billion by 2020.