Got a headset? You need apps, games and movies
Creating for VR is expensive. And not many people outside tech own a headset yet. So are Oculus, Samsung, Google, Sony and OSVR supposed to pack their virtual reality app stores with games, experiences and films in time for that much predicted explosion in VR headset sales?
The truth is most of these tech companies have been working with developers for months and months to secure exclusive titles and push out the most interesting new uses of VR – such as socialising and multiplayer games – as fast as humanly possible.
Read this: Three experts on whether 2016 will be VR’s breakthrough year
It’s early days but here’s who we think is winning in the race to build the world’s biggest and best VR app store.
WEAR: Oculus/ Samsung
Oculus and Samsung have paved the way for getting a nice selection of VR apps, games and movies ready to consume. With the now very cheap indeed Gear VR running Oculus software and the higher end Rift due in 2016, the partnership has worked out nicely. On Samsung’s headset you can watch highbrow short films in VRSE, play polished mobile games like Land’s End, chat with avatars in AltSpace VR and plenty more.
Read this: The best Samsung Gear VR apps: Demos, apps and experiences
Plus from the developers point of view, Samsung’s store is already charging for some full apps and games. So there’s more incentive to create for this platform.
A more than honourable mention to Valve and HTC’s Vive. For serious gamers, we think the fight will be between this and Sony’s PlayStation VR headset for PS4 in 2016.
NEARLY THERE: Google Cardboard
Google is trailing Oculus and Samsung for high quality apps, experiences and games that people are willing to pay for. Google’s own services make up the bulk of what you’ll want to do right now- including 360 degree YouTube videos, now with added depth, VR Expeditions and Street View for Cardboard.
Read this: The best Google Cardboard apps, games and experiences
But this could all change and if Google’s Works with Cardboard seal of approval comes to more, cheaper-than-Samsung VR viewers, it could be the affordability of the hardware – and the fact it works with any phone – that makes developers sit up and build awesome virtual reality apps for Google’s platform.
SQUARE: OSVR
This open source VR platform, initiated by Razer, has a few big names in both hardware and software (Ubisoft, Leap Motion, Untold Games) signed up but we’re yet to see anything to rival Oculus, Sony and Google.
Read this: The best OSVR apps, games and experiences so far
It might just be that we will have to be patient. Hey, Assassin’s Creed in VR might sneak up on us in 2016. And OSVR does have the advantage that many developers are choosing to also make their content compatible with this as well as more mainstream big name headsets.
There’s some nice indie titles too but it’s mainly games and doesn’t yet offer the breadth of experiences you can get on the Gear VR and Cardboard.