Global shipments of computer game (VR) headsets grew 52.4% year over year within the half-moon of the 2021 (1Q21), consistent with new data from the International Data Corporation (IDC) Worldwide Quarterly Augmented and computer game Headset Tracker.
Standalone headsets, which feature an all-encompassing design like the Oculus Quest 2 or the HTC Vive Focus, accounted for the overwhelming majority of shipments, capturing 82.7% share during the quarter, up from 50.5% within the half-moon of 2020.
The growing popularity of the gaming, also as fitness, has helped spread consumer awareness of VR while companies like Facebook have made the tech more accessible.
Image-Jitesh-Ubrani-research-manager-for-IDCs-Mobile-Device-Trackers-MediaBrief.jpgJitesh Ubrani, research manager for IDC’s Mobile and Consumer Device Trackers, said, “Oculus has singlehandedly driven growth within the market because the company managed to capture an almost two-thirds share of worldwide VR headset shipments during the quarter.
“While the corporate currently dominates the buyer segment it faces competition within the commercial segment and its lack of presence in China leaves a chance for local brands also as brands which will cater to businesses,” Ubrani said.
In addition to Oculus, Chinese companies DPVR and Pico also performed well during the quarter, finishing because the second and third-ranked companies and growing 108.6% and 44.7% year over year respectively.
Each of the businesses already features a strong foothold in China and is working to grow its international presence by catering to the commercial segment. Moreover, the short-term outlook for these companies, Pico especially, bodes well as they address the necessity for lower-cost headsets with 3 Degrees of Freedom (DoF) while also transitioning some of their userbases to more immersive 6 DoF headsets and content. HTC and Sony rounded out the highest 5 VR headset companies.
Looking ahead, IDC forecasts VR headset shipments to grow 28.9% year over year in 2021. However, the forecast reflects supply-side constraints as some vendors will struggle with component shortages during the year.
The long-term outlook remains quite strong as global shipments are forecast to grow to twenty-eight .6 million in 2025 with a five-year compound annual rate of growth (CAGR) of 41.4%.
image-Tom-Mainelli-group-vice-president-Device-Consumer-Research-at-IDC-media brief.jpgTom Mainelli, group vice chairman, Device & marketing research at IDC, said, “The commercial use cases for computer game still proliferate.
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