Comment on Minecraft is losing VR support next year
FeelzGoodMan420@eviltoast.org 1 month agoProbably because VR gaming is basically dead. It never really took off and it’s a waste of time and money for them to drvote resources to it. Probably like 0.1% of users are in VR.
That being said, part of why it’s dead is because no developers want to take chances on it, so it’s a self fulfilling prophecy.
Mistic@lemmy.world 1 month ago
That’s not even accurate.
If VR gaming is dead, then what does it say about Linux with about 5 times less users? Like, a low poly game about monkeys has a daily playerbase of a million people there. Mind you, Mincraft has 1 to 1.5 million. Not bad for a “dead” platform. Also, Valve isn’t even the last one to enter the market.
I think what you’re actually trying to say is that it’s niche, which it absolutely is.
linearchaos@lemmy.world 1 month ago
It’s math. The amount of money they’re spending on supporting the VR platforms is less than the amount of money they make for the people on those platforms. They probably have to dedicate several multi-person teams to manage the clients.
Linux has some pretty good hedging going on with steam deck.
Mistic@lemmy.world 1 month ago
Well, I’ve decided to check the financials of a couple of VR companies since your counterpoint sounded reasonable. The only one working at a loss is Meta. I could argue their business model is in Death Valley right now. After all, they have major capital expenses, which aren’t easily covered unless you have a big userbase.
But that’s their VR sector. Overall, Meta’s profitable and can easily cover all the expenses several times over.
Also, what do you mean by “they have to dedicate several multi-person teams to manage the clients?” Firstly, who’s “they,” secondly, if I understood you right, that sounds prepostrous, unless you’re talking B2B.
linearchaos@lemmy.world 1 month ago
I’m not talking about VR companies I’m talking about Mojang.
The teams that Mojang keeps to work on the platforms cost more than the income from the people using those clients.
If you make a game, and you decide to support Mac, and Mac only brings in $500 a month but you have to pay somebody $3,000 a month to maintain the client, You’re losing $2,500 a month for that particular market segment.
Nothing says you have to get rid of those people or that client, But it’s a fiscally sound decision.
shapis@lemmy.ml 1 month ago
I don’t see how what they said was contradictory. VR gaming is indeed dead. And Linux gaming with 5 times less users is also even more dead.
There’s a reason why game devs completely ignore Linux as a platform.
Mistic@lemmy.world 1 month ago
For how big PS5 is and how small VR is, VR sure has a lot of people playing.
Lemmy has userbase (not even monthly activity) of 0.6mil. Is lemmy dead?
What constitutes for a dead platform to you?
shapis@lemmy.ml 1 month ago
I mean. Yeah ? Can you imagine any large companies investing in this in any way? I sure can’t.