VR game downloads on Android devices are experiencing a significant surge in growth, with the first half of 2024 seeing an estimated 5.5 million new downloads for the top 28 VR games. This represents a 40% increase compared to the previous year. If this trend continues, VR game downloads on Android are on track to reach a record-breaking 11 million downloads by the end of the year. This milestone is particularly noteworthy as it surpasses the download totals of both 2022 and 2023.
According to Thomas Kriebernegg, the general manager at Splitmetrics, the VR gaming sector is quietly growing at an impressive rate, despite the diminishing hype around VR technology. He emphasizes that we are still in the early stages of VR adoption and expects more game developers to experiment with VR as the industry develops further. For developers, it is crucial to refine their games’ user experience, while marketers should focus on identifying and attracting early adopters.
Top VR Games on Android
Using data from its App Radar platform, Splitmetrics has identified the top VR games based on Android downloads. The firm estimates that their list captures around 90% of the market on the Android platform. In the first half of 2024, the top five downloaded VR games on Android were Rec Room – Play with friends! (2.7 million downloads), VR Thrills Roller Coaster Game (470,000 downloads), VR Roller Coaster 360 (335,000 downloads), Sky On Fire: 1940 (313,000 downloads), and Fulldive VR – Virtual Reality (295,000 downloads).
VR Game Portals
It is important to note that the VR game download numbers mentioned earlier do not include top VR game portals. Splitmetrics reveals that both Google’s Cardboard and Meta Quest have experienced significant growth. Combined, these apps have amassed a total of 54 million lifetime downloads on Google Play.
Although Meta Quest has a long way to go to catch up to Cardboard, the release of Meta Quest 3 has sparked a surge in downloads. In December 2023, the app saw a 277% increase in Android downloads, followed by a 147% increase in January 2024, likely due to the holiday season.
In conclusion, the VR gaming sector is thriving, with Android VR game downloads projected to reach record-breaking numbers in 2024. As the industry continues to develop, developers and marketers have the opportunity to refine their games’ user experience and attract early adopters. With the growth of VR game portals such as Google’s Cardboard and Meta Quest, the VR gaming ecosystem is expanding further, providing more options and experiences for VR enthusiasts.
