Dark Mode Light Mode
How to Optimize YouTube Videos for Maximum Reach
Here’s How Long Meta Says the Ideal VR Gaming Session Should Last

Here’s How Long Meta Says the Ideal VR Gaming Session Should Last

Here's How Long Meta Says the Ideal VR Gaming Session Should Last Here's How Long Meta Says the Ideal VR Gaming Session Should Last
Here's How Long Meta Says the Ideal VR Gaming Session


We may earn a commission from links on this page.


A recent post on Meta's developer blog hints at the future of virtual reality . 's research in Quest users' habits identified the “Goldilocks zone” for virtual reality experiences on its headsets, concluding that the optimum time for a VR gaming is between 20 and 40 minutes—VR may provide players with a totally immersive experience, but people generally don't want to be immersed for too .

Citing “observations of behavior with the majority of VR users, as well as research into when and why users end sessions,” Meta concluded that most Quest users feel that a VR session shorter than 20 minutes is not the commitment it takes to strap on a headset, adjust it, the controllers, make sure the couch is out of the way, etc.—the kind of quick-hit experiences you get on mobile don't work as well in VR. But neither do the hours-long, melting-into-the-couch sessions of console and PC gaming. Enjoyment of VR experiences tends to hit a point of diminishing return if it goes on longer than 40 minutes. The eye strain, nausea, physical exertion, and sense of isolation take over eventually, and the fun goes out the window.

How game developers can hit the VR Goldilocks zone

Meta's post offers helpful suggestions instead of iron-clad rules, but the company's guidance seems likely to trickle down to game developers and influence what they create in the future. First because it's Meta saying it, and they own the store, but maybe more importantly, because it's actually good advice. From an anecdotal perspective, a “40 minute time limit” rings true—any longer than that, and VR gives me a vaguely panicky, “I gotta get out of here” feeling. Virtual reality has always been a struggle between “this is really cool” and “I don't like having this thing on my face!” and it's refreshing that Meta is spelling that out.

Hitting an optimal time for a gaming session doesn't necessarily mean that more complex, more involved experiences like those of “traditional” AAA video games are impossible in VR, but they'd work better if structured differently. To that end, Meta recommends game developers avoid long tutorials in favor of incorporating controls and mechanics into actual experiences, chaining together shorter “progression loops” together, building in breaks every 10 or 15 minutes, and frequent autosaves “so players are confident they can pick up where they left off.” Among other things.


What do you think so far?

Lighter headsets could change the rules

Meta's vision of virtual reality has evolved since the early days of the Oculus, when the vibe seemed more like “people will live in the virtual world all the time.” In the blog post, the company points out that the “time limits” of VR gaming are based on the form factors of Quest devices, and future hardware developments—like, say, a pair of lightweight, Meta smart glasses that could deliver a viable AR experience—would change the “Goldilocks zone” time limits significantly.





Source link

Keep Up to Date with the Most Important News

By pressing the Subscribe button, you confirm that you have read and are agreeing to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use
Add a comment Add a comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Previous Post
How to Optimize YouTube Videos for Maximum Reach

How to Optimize YouTube Videos for Maximum Reach