Virtual reality (VR): records on SteamVR

In December 2024, usage of VR headsets on Steam reached near-record levels. This renewed interest in virtual reality (VR) reflects a growing market, supported by technological innovations and promising consumer trends.

VR adoption on the rise on Steam

The percentage of Steam users equipped with VR headsets has reached 2.13% in December 2024. Adjusting this data to exclude the Chinese market, this becomes the second highest level on record. This figure reveals growing adoption of VR headsets among PC gamers.

Data shows that more Steam gamers use a VR headset than macOS or an RTX 4090 GPU. Moreover, the number of VR users is almost equivalent to that of Linux, including Steam Deck. This puts VR in a comparable niche to other popular technologies.

A holiday season beneficial to VR

The end-of-year holidays gave a boost to sales of VR headsets. L’application Meta Horizonused to configure Quest headsets, became the most downloaded free iPhone app on Christmas Day. This underlines a marked revival of interest in these devices during this period.

Additionally, the Quest 3S outperformed some traditional consoles on Amazon US. This excess thus confirms an increase in sales. In terms of usage on SteamVR, the Quest 3 and Quest 3S together accounted for 22.1% market share in December. This performance demonstrates the growing attractiveness of these models.

Outlook for 2025

The year 2025 could mark a turning point for VR thanks to the arrival of new high-end headsets. Devices like the Shiftall MeganeX superlight and the Pimax Dream Air promise even more immersive experiences thanks to their 4K micro-OLED screens. However, their high prices limit their impact on the general public of users.

At the same time, Valve is preparing a new VR headset, with controllers revealed in a leak in November 2024. This expected launch could breathe new life into Steam’s VR ecosystem. This by consolidating its place among technological leaders.

A technology that continues to appeal

VR on PC confirms its appeal, although it remains a technological niche. The rise of headsets like the Quest 3S and the innovations planned for 2025 thus show a constantly evolving market. With continuous improvements, virtual reality is establishing itself as an essential option for fans of gaming and immersive technologies.

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