USA Virtual Reality Market Outlook to 2028

USA Virtual Reality Market Overview

• The USA Virtual Reality (VR) market has seen substantial growth over the past five years. By 2023, it grew to USD 3 Bn, demonstrating a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 43.1% from 2018-2023. This growth is driven primarily by the increasing adoption of VR in various sectors such as gaming, healthcare, education, and real estate. The enhancement in VR technology, coupled with decreasing hardware costs, has made VR more accessible to consumers and businesses alike.
• The key players in the USA VR market include Oculus VR (Facebook Technologies), HTC Corporations, Sony Interactive Entertainment, Microsoft Corporation, and Google LLC. These companies have significantly contributed to the market's growth through continuous innovation and strategic partnerships.
• In 2023, Sony Interactive Entertainment announced the launch of the PlayStation VR2, a next-generation VR headset for the PlayStation 5. This new device features improved resolution, advanced haptic feedback, and eye-tracking technology, setting a new standard in VR gaming. The PlayStation VR2 is expected to enhance user experiences and drive further adoption of VR technology.

USA Virtual Reality Current Market Analysis

• Continuous improvements in VR hardware, such as higher resolution displays, more accurate motion tracking, and more immersive audio systems, are making VR experiences more realistic and appealing. These technological advancements are driving adoption across various sectors.
• The VR market is transforming various industries by providing immersive experiences that enhance user engagement and interaction. In gaming, VR offers more engaging and interactive gameplay. In healthcare, VR aids in patient treatment and medical training. The overall impact of the VR market is the creation of new ways to engage with digital content, leading to increased efficiency and improved outcomes in various applications.
• The Western region of the USA, particularly California, dominates the VR market. This dominance is due to the presence of major tech companies, a strong innovation ecosystem, and significant investment in VR technology development. Silicon Valley, in particular, serves as a hub for VR innovation, attracting talent and investment from around the world.

USA Virtual Reality Market Segmentation

By Component: By Component, USA virtual reality market is segmented into hardware, software & services. In 2023, Hardware segment dominated the market. It is due to the high demand for VR headsets and controllers. Innovations and decreasing costs are driving consumer adoption. This drives consumer demand for the latest VR headsets and accessories, keeping the hardware segment at the forefront.

By End-User: By End-User, the market is segmented into gaming & entertainment, healthcare, education, retail & e-commerce. In 2023, Gaming & Entertainment segment dominates the market. This segment is dominant due to the immersive experience VR provides, high consumer engagement, and substantial investment from major gaming companies.

By Application: The market is segmented into consumer, commercial & enterprise. In 2023, the consumer segment dominates the market. The US boasts a massive and enthusiastic gaming community. VR gaming has been a major driver of VR adoption, with consumers eager to experience immersive games. This creates a large and active consumer base for VR hardware.

USA Virtual Reality Market Competitive Landscape

• Oculus VR: Leading the market with innovative VR headsets like Oculus Quest 2, Oculus VR recently announced the Meta Quest 3, set to release on October 10, 2023. The Meta Quest 3 features higher resolution, stronger performance with a next-generation Snapdragon chipset, and advanced Meta Reality technology. The price starts at $499.99 for the 128GB version, making it a highly anticipated upgrade in the VR market​.
• Varjo Technologies: Varjo focuses on professional-grade VR and mixed reality solutions. In 2023, Varjo released the XR-3 Focal Edition, designed for industrial applications requiring precise visual fidelity. This headset features human-eye resolution and a 115-degree field of view, enabling detailed simulations and training programs. The XR-3 Focal Edition is already being used by automotive manufacturers like Volvo for design and prototyping.
• Microsoft Corporation: Microsoft focuses on enterprise solutions with its HoloLens mixed reality headset, impacting sectors like healthcare and education. The HoloLens 2, with its advanced spatial mapping and real-time data overlay, is widely adopted in medical training and surgical planning. In 2023, Microsoft announced a partnership with Johns Hopkins University to enhance medical education using HoloLens 2, benefiting over 1,000 medical students annually​​.

USA Virtual Reality Industry Analysis

USA Virtual Reality Market Growth Drivers

• Increased Investment in VR Startups: Investment in VR startups has surged, reflecting growing confidence in the market's potential. In the second quarter of 2022, venture capital investment in VR-related startups in the USA reached USD 66 billion in 2022. This influx of capital is driving innovation and development in VR technologies and applications, fostering a competitive environment that accelerates market growth.
• Adoption in Healthcare: The adoption of VR in healthcare is expanding rapidly, driven by its potential to revolutionize medical training and patient treatment. For example, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center has been utilizing VR for more than five years, helping cancer patients manage anxiety and pain. UConn Health uses Oculus Quest VR systems to train orthopedic residents, allowing repeated practice on virtual models, which has saved approximately $500,000 in cadaver costs​.
• Expansion in Education: VR is transforming the education sector by providing immersive learning experiences that enhance student engagement and retention. By 2025, the number of VR users in education is expected to reach 15 million globally. Educational institutions are integrating VR into curriculums, with studies showing that students using VR for learning exhibit higher engagement and understanding of complex subjects. For example, a VR-based learning program at Stanford University has improved student retention rates significantly​

USA Virtual Reality Market Challenges

• High Cost of VR Equipment: Despite decreasing prices, the high cost of high-quality VR equipment remains a significant barrier to widespread adoption. The average cost of a high-end VR headset in the USA was USD 599 in 2023, compared to USD 799 in 2018. While this represents a decrease, the cost is still considered high for mass-market adoption, particularly in price-sensitive segments.
• Technical Limitations: Technical limitations, such as motion sickness and limited field of view, continue to challenge the VR market. Additionally, the limited field of view in many VR headsets can detract from the immersive experience, reducing user satisfaction and repeat usage. Efforts to address these issues through improved hardware and software solutions are ongoing, but they remain a barrier to broader adoption.

USA Virtual Reality Market Recent Developments

• In 2023, Alphabet, Google's parent company, invested USD 500 million in Magic Leap, a company specializing in augmented reality (AR) and VR technology. This investment is aimed at boosting Magic Leap's enterprise solutions and expanding its market presence. Alphabet's significant investment underscores the growing importance of VR and AR technologies in the enterprise sector and their potential to drive market growth.
• Microsoft partnered with Cleveland Clinic in early 2023 to develop VR-based training modules for medical professionals. This collaboration aims to create realistic and immersive training experiences for surgical procedures and patient care. The partnership highlights the potential of VR in medical training and is expected to set new standards in healthcare education.
• In 2022, HTC launched the Vive Pro 2, a high-end VR headset featuring 5K resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate. The Vive Pro 2 is aimed at professional users and gamers, offering an enhanced and immersive VR experience. The introduction of the Vive Pro 2 is expected to drive market growth by attracting professional and enterprise customers.

USA Virtual Reality Future Market Outlook

The USA VR market is expected to continue its robust growth, driven by technological advancements, increased investment in VR content, and expanding applications across various industries.

Future Market Trends

• • Rise of the Metaverse: The concept of the metaverse, a virtual world where people can interact, work, and play, is gaining significant traction. Companies like Facebook (Meta) and Microsoft are investing heavily in creating metaverse platforms that rely on VR for immersive experiences. The rise of the metaverse will drive demand for VR technology and creating new opportunities for businesses to engage with consumers in virtual environments.
  • VR in Remote Work: With the shift towards remote work, VR is being utilized to create virtual workspaces that enhance collaboration and communication. VR platforms like Spatial and VirBELA are enabling remote teams to work together in virtual environments, offering a sense of presence and interaction that traditional video conferencing tools cannot match. This trend will drive demand for VR technology in the corporate sector and fostering market growth.