It’s been an exciting time for virtual reality (VR) games in 2024, with significant new titles making their debut. The Batman Arkham series has introduced a fresh entry, “Batman: Arkham Shadow,” exclusive to the Meta Quest 3. Additionally, “Metro Awakening” serves as a prequel to the beloved Metro series, while Skydance’s “Behemoth” delves into dark fantasy narratives, expanding on themes established in “The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners.” The psychedelic rhythm game “Thrasher” has emerged as a successor to “Thumper,” and a highly-anticipated remake of the classic VR title “Arizona Sunshine” has also been unveiled, following a sequel released last year.
The VR landscape appears to be at a crucial juncture. Observing the developments of 2023 showcases a steady build-up to this moment, with significant titles like “Asgard’s Wrath 2,” “Assassin’s Creed Nexus,” and the VR adaptation of the “Resident Evil 4” remake captivating audiences. However, challenges remain as the VR sector continues to struggle with niche market issues, including motion sickness and limited accessibility for disabled players.
While game releases highlight the potential of VR, the performance of companies and headsets has raised concerns. Reports indicate that production for the PSVR 2 was paused in March to manage a surplus backlog, and PlayStation London Studio was shuttered in May. Similarly, Meta has witnessed workforce reductions in its Reality Labs division, discontinuations of multiple games, and the indefinite postponement of the VR version of “Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas.” Such developments raise questions about the future of VR game investments, as major players like Meta and Sony seem to be scaling back their commitments.
Several anticipated titles, including “Aces of Thunder,” “Hitman: World of Assassination,” and “Zombie Army VR,” have been delayed to 2025. The trend of delays and less-than-stellar launches has persisted throughout 2024, with titles such as “Bulletstorm VR” struggling to meet the expectations of players until extensive patches were deployed. Notably, horror games “Madison VR” and “Phasmophobia” faced numerous setbacks, causing reviewers to urge potential players to wait for quality improvements.
Developers have cited multiple obstacles impeding VR development, including engine compatibility issues, the use of reprojection that sacrifices image quality for frame rates, and the rigorous technical requirements imposed during certification. Quality assurance testing poses unique challenges as well, often leaving testers feeling detached from reality after prolonged sessions.
Despite the uncertainty, some studios remain committed to enhancing the VR experience. In recent interviews, producers emphasized their belief in the VR market’s potential and the desire to see advancements in hardware affordability and comfort for consumers.
The landscape of VR headsets is evolving, with models like the Meta Quest 3 priced at $499, while the PSVR 2 costs $549, and the Pico 4 Ultra reaches around $630. Despite the growing array of options, the entrance cost remains a considerable barrier for many consumers, and the modest recent advancements in headset technology have not translated into significant price reductions.
Moreover, market fluctuations are also worth noting, with Meta discontinuing the Quest 2 and Quest Pro models by the end of 2024 and launching the Meta Quest 3S at a price of $299, albeit with hardware compromises.
The gaming scene is not without its innovations. Smaller studios such as “The Exit 8,” “Sushi Ben,” and “Umurangi Generation VR” have emerged to offer unique experiences, while rhythm games continue to thrive with adaptations and updates. While popular titles like “Beat Saber” and “Synth Riders” remain relevant, many novelty games from earlier years have not sustained long-term support.
As 2025 approaches, the future of VR remains uncertain amid shifting priorities. Meta appears increasingly focused on the metaverse, prioritizing networking functionalities over traditional gaming experiences. Community efforts, such as Flat2VR, have been influential in introducing VR support to various games, highlighting the vibrant modding scene on PC.
Despite its niche status, interest in VR is not diminishing. Games like “Gorilla Tag” have gained enormous popularity, actively involving youth demographics. Moving forward, there is hope for a renewed focus on gaming experience development for both adults and younger audiences rather than merely integrating more aspects of daily life into virtual environments. As the lifespans of headsets like the PSVR 2 and Meta Quest 3 extend, the industry looks toward establishing new benchmarks for quality and innovation in VR gaming.
