Virtual Reality
The VirtualBoy was a "virtual reality" headset that Nintendo released in 1993, and it supported a small selection of games. Even though the idea was brilliant, the execution sucked. It was pricy, it didn't look well, and it was sickening. Overall, a marketing failure. But certainly VR would become popular eventually!
If you've been online between 2010 and the present, you've probably heard about how quickly virtual reality is going to catch on. With the Oculus Rift, which cost Facebook $2 billion back in 2014, they aggressively invested in this. Statistics show that it's still primed to take off years later. The market for VR gaming is valued $22.9 billion globally. VR, however, still makes up a minuscule percentage of the $150 billion worldwide gaming market.
Is virtual reality the future? Probably? Because it has appeared that way for years, it is difficult to say. This may be an instance of technology being introduced too soon. But the reality is that, even 30 years after the VirtualBoy made its debut, VR gaming is still not a dominant force.
VR was a pricey investment for a long time. Just one headset cost several thousand dollars. Costs are a little lower now, but the market is more saturated. Oculus, PlayStation, Valve, HTC, and other options are available. At least Microsoft and Sony are still the main rivals in console gaming, with a bit Nintendo thrown in for variety.
The state of VR technology is constantly changing, making outdated technology riskier investments. Additionally, many people simply dislike donning a pair of glasses that might make them sweaty, obstruct their field of vision, and even break their hair. But not everyone finds it enjoyable. Compared to traditional gaming, it's likely that VR will only ever be a niche industry.
People and animals cannot simply walk past you while you are playing VR games out of fear of being accidentally hit. This is not a leisurely activity. So while virtual reality (VR) may someday become the next big thing, don't plan on it happening anytime soon.
