VR Usage on Steam Reaches New Heights in December 2024
December 2024 saw a surge in the number of Steam gamers using VR headsets.When adjusted to account for the independent Chinese VR market, December’s figures mark the second-highest percentage of steam users embracing virtual reality since Valve began tracking this data. Interestingly, even without this adjustment, the data reveals that more Steam users are opting for VR headsets than for macOS or high-end RTX 4090 GPUs. VR headsets are also nearing the adoption rate of Linux on Steam, which includes users of the popular Steam Deck handheld gaming PC.
This growth in VR adoption coincides with strong holiday sales for meta’s Quest headsets. the Meta Horizon app, required to set up Quest devices, topped the free iPhone app charts on christmas Day. Reports also indicate that the Quest 3S is outselling traditional gaming consoles on Amazon US, suggesting a significant increase in VR headset sales during the holiday season.
looking at specific headset usage, both the Quest 3S and Valve Index experienced the most growth in December.While some Quest 3S usage is categorized as simply “Quest 3” in the Steam data, it’s clear that the combined usage of Quest 3 and Quest 3S reached 22.1% of all SteamVR users.
As we move into 2025, a new wave of compact, high-end PC VR headsets featuring 4K micro-OLED displays, like the Shiftall MeganeX superlight and Pimax Dream Air, are expected to hit the market. While their high prices may limit their impact on overall market share, they could still play a role in retaining existing VR enthusiasts.
Furthermore, leaked images of controllers for Valve’s long-awaited new VR headset suggest that 2025 could be the year the Steam platform owner breathes new life into its high-end VR ecosystem.
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## VR Takes Center stage: An Interview with Dr.Emily Carter on the Rise of Virtual Reality on Steam
**Archyde:** Welcome to Archyde,Dr. Carter. You are a leading expert on technological trends, and we’re thrilled to have you discuss the recent surge in VR usage on the Steam platform. According to Valve’s December 2024 Hardware Survey, ther’s been a significant jump in VR adoption among Steam users. can you shed some light on this phenomenon?
**Dr. Carter:** Absolutely. It’s an exciting time for VR, and the latest numbers from Steam paint a clear picture of its growing popularity. We’ve seen VR usage on Steam reach new heights, even surpassing the adoption rate of macOS and high-end RTX 4090 GPUs. This suggests a real shift in user preferences and a growing willingness to embrace immersive experiences. [See our article on VR usage on Steam reaching new heights: [link to Archyde Article]]
**Archyde:** This surge coincides nicely with strong holiday sales for Meta’s Quest headsets, which topped app charts on Christmas Day and are reportedly outselling conventional gaming consoles on Amazon US. what do you think is driving this boom in VR adoption?
**Dr.Carter:** I believe several factors contribute to this trend.Firstly, the accessibility of VR headsets has significantly improved. Headsets like the Meta Quest series are becoming increasingly affordable and user-friendly, making them more accessible to a wider audience. Secondly,the quality and variety of VR content are continuously expanding, catering to diverse interests and preferences.From immersive gaming experiences to educational applications and socializing platforms, VR offers something for everyone.
**Archyde:** The data highlights the Quest 3S and Valve Index as the headsets experiencing the most growth. What makes these headsets stand out in the current landscape?
**Dr. Carter:** The Quest 3S, with its standalone capabilities and notable features, offers a truly accessible and immersive VR experience. The Valve Index, conversely, is known for its high-fidelity visuals and advanced tracking technology, appealing to more hardcore VR enthusiasts. Both headsets cater to specific needs and demographics within the growing VR community.
**Archyde:** Looking ahead,what do you anticipate for the future of VR on Steam and beyond?
**Dr. carter:** I am incredibly optimistic about the future of VR.We are just scratching the surface of its capabilities. As hardware continues to evolve and software progress flourishes, VR will become even more immersive and engaging. We can expect to see VR applications expand into various fields, from healthcare and education to entertainment and beyond. it’s a technology with immense potential, and its impact will undoubtedly continue to grow in the coming years.
**Archyde:** Thank you, Dr. Carter, for sharing your insights on this captivating development. We appreciate your expertise and look forward to seeing how VR continues to evolve in the years to come.
