Meta is the latest company to come out and make a statement about developers and VR games. They recommend that developers aim to make games that last between 20 and 40 minutes to accommodate changing consumer demands and preferences. The company has justified this announcement with usage data, comfort studies, and the limitations of their current hardware. With this announcement, it makes perfect sense that recently released games have got shorter, and how shorter gameplay loops are now the norm.
Modular Game Structures Have Been Big for Some Time
Meta’s announcement reflects a broader trend. Modular game structures have been big for quite some time, so it’s not surprising to see VR finally follow in similar footsteps. If you want to stop, then you can do so without feeling as though you have been interrupted, or that you are in the middle of a game. Puzzle games are a prime example here, as you can complete a level and then come away with the new level being a fresh start. We are also seeing new story sections in games being shorter, due to people simply having less time to play, and therefore are desiring shorter experiences.
VR and puzzle games aren’t the only verticals we are seeing short games thrive either. Many casino games online also adopt a short structure. A single spin on a roulette table can be done in under 30 seconds, and a hand of poker can be played in less than a minute. As you can cash out whenever you want, formats like this really lend themselves to not only mobile play, but playing for shorter durations, without compromising the experience.
The issue with Meta advising developers to make shorter games is that putting on a VR headset comes with significant effort. You need to connect the headset, clear the room and essentially gear-up to play the games you want to play. If this effort is only going to lead to a ten-minute session, many may feel as though the effort is simply not worth it. If anything, Meta has highlighted the fact that VR headsets can cause discomfort after 20 minutes as well.
What does the Future Hold?
Even though the announcement does highlight the cumbersome nature of the VR headset, interestingly, this could lead to improvements being made down the line. VR games becoming smaller and shorter could actually pave the way for new and exciting developments within the VR sector. If games were smaller, headsets wouldn’t need to be as powerful, which could lead to them being less cumbersome to wear.
When you break down information like this, it may be that Meta haven’t highlighted an issue with their headsets, but more that they are opening the door to new and exciting opportunities that stem from issues everyone who has a VR headset knows are present. Things like this could mean that the future of VR is exciting and full of possibilities, especially when you look at how the sector is already following the same trends as other gaming verticals.