VR headset shipments continue to increase and exceeded 1 million units for the first time in Q3, according to a study by Canalys. Sony is
leader with more than 490,000 PlayStation VR (PS VR), followed by Oculus with 210,000 shipments of its Rift headsets, and HTC with 160,000 shipped Vive VR units. Sony,
Oculus and HTC together made up 86 percent of the total market in Q3.
Oculus increased shipments of its Rift headsets by cutting the price to USD 399 for a limited time, matching that of the PS VR. The positive results of the Q3 summer sale prompted Oculus to permanently lower the price of the Rift to USD 399 in November.
In Asia, Japan’s unique gaming and entertainment culture has helped VR adoption, the research said. VR in Japan benefited immensely from the emergence of VR experience zones across the country, such as in Shinjuku, Tokyo. Japanese consumers enjoy living their fantasies in virtual reality, a trait that stems from their anime and gaming culture. Sony dominated the Japanese VR headset market since the release of the PS VR, taking more than an 80 percent share, and will continue to lead as it increases supply of the PS VR headset with bundles featuring new titles from popular franchises, including Doom, Skyrim and Gran Turismo, researchers noted.
The global VR headset market is expected to gain a sizeable boost in 2018 from new entrants supporting Microsoft’s Windows Mixed Reality platform.
