People have been talking for years about how virtual reality (VR) technology will change gaming, entertainment, and education. Despite significant progress in this area, it’s still a niche market. Millions of VR headsets are sold every year, but their use is by no means universal. Why isn’t VR as popular as it could be, especially when companies like Meta, Sony, and HTC are pushing the industry? Let’s figure it out together.
High Cost of VR Gear
Virtual reality goggles have always been expensive, and that hasn’t changed. The $500 Meta Quest 3 is considered a cheaper option. Believe it or not, the PlayStation VR2 is even more expensive at $550. If we consider PC-based models, the Valve Index costs $999. This is without taking into account a sufficiently powerful PC, which itself should cost more than a thousand dollars. Also, even the cheapest models require add-ons in the form of special controllers, consoles, and tracking devices. Because of this cost, many consumers can’t afford them.
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Technical Hardware Barriers
In addition to costly barriers, VR users face additional technical hurdles that make things even more complicated:
- Requires expensive components: High-end GPUs, such as NVIDIA’s RTX 3070, are required to utilize VR PCs, incurring hundreds of additional costs.
- Software support: Most virtual reality systems lack the necessary applications and features to make them functional. They typically require regular updates, firmware changes, and even driver changes, which can sometimes be difficult for the technically unsophisticated user.
- Complicated setup: Many VR systems require external trackers, proper calibration, and enough space to be fully functional.
- Battery life isn’t the best: Single headsets like the Meta Quest 2 can only last 2–3 hours on battery life, making it difficult to play for long periods of time.
All these elements together form a lot of difficulties that make VR games quite difficult for the casual player. And while we’re all waiting for these problems to be solved, we advise you to subscribe to MelBet. With this group, you can always stay up to date with all the sports news and events, and funny memes that are published there by the best content-makers won’t let you get bored even on the gloomiest day!
Limited Content Availability
The content library for VR systems is, unfortunately, still inadequate, even with the latest developments in the industry. In reality, many VR games remain short experiences rather than full-fledged AAA titles. While games like Half-Life: Alyx have become the benchmark, most VR titles lack this. Many franchises that appeal to the masses, such as Call of Duty, Grand Theft Auto, or even FIFA, are barely represented in VR. If they are, they’re abandoned.
Content restrictions don’t just apply to games. VR movies and other similar mediums are available but not yet ready to take the place of traditional formats. Many educational and business applications remain in purely experimental form rather than being full-fledged tools.
Motion Sickness Issues
One of the difficulties of VR is motion sickness, which affects a large number of users. VR motion sickness occurs when the mind receives conflicting information from the eyes and ears. Some users may get used to this ailment with time, but some people feel nauseous, dizzy, or even have severe headaches after any short session. Techniques such as increased frame rate (90Hz+) are commonly used, but, alas, even that doesn’t help everyone.
This problem makes VR less attractive to people who want to play or work for long periods of time. Without a significant leap in hardware and software, motion sickness will always remain a major hurdle to overcome.
Space Requirements for VR
Another issue that remains unresolved is the challenge associated with the space required to have the best VR experience. Here are some of them:
- Room-scale VR requires space: Games like Beat Saber or Superhot VR require the player to move, hit, and even dodge, which means at least two meters of uncluttered space in all directions are necessary.
- Furniture and barriers are a problem: Many users don’t have a dedicated VR area, which leads to them resting against walls, tables, or chairs.
- Sitting VR isn’t as engaging: Some experiences can work in a seated position, but they don’t compare to what room-scale VR has to offer.
- Wired headsets restrict movement: Virtual reality headsets for PCs with wires attached with clips greatly restrict movement, creating a tripping hazard.
Almost all families are unable to use devices such as VR headsets due to limited space in their homes.
Slow Software Development
Innovation and the creation of new apps and games are severely slowed down due to the complexity of developing software for VR. Studios and developers often avoid investing a lot of money into new content that’s VR-exclusive due to the small market that exists. The process of creating VR games is much more complex and time-consuming than other types of games, as various working elements, such as motion tracking and hand interaction, need to be developed.
Operating systems and user interfaces for VR systems also need further development. A combination of complex and unfriendly menus, long recognition times, and chaotic control systems make VR-enabled devices less interesting to the average user. Without spending a lot of money on these areas, it’ll be very difficult to get all users to embrace this new technology.
The Future of VR Expansion
Even despite the setbacks, VR is slowly improving. The changing prices of individual headsets and the development of eye tracking, wireless technology, and improved haptic feedback will greatly improve the immersive experience. The possibilities of VR are limitless. Companies are pouring billions of dollars into the metaverse, so if prices come down, more content becomes available, and motion sickness solutions improve, VR could become popular. But we still have to wait a bit longer. The revolution is coming!
