Skip to main content

More developers are targeting the Vive than the Rift, according to survey

Best VR Headset
Jessica Lee Star/Digital Trends
For most consumers, the question of which virtual reality headset is a smarter purchase at this point in time revolves around which piece of hardware is likely to gain the most support going forward. Content will decide who comes out on top, and a new industry report suggest that the HTC Vive is edging ahead of its competition.

Figures released by the UBM Game Network state that 49 percent of developers polled are working on their current VR project with the Vive in mind, according to a report from UBM Game Network. Meanwhile, just 43 percent and writing software for use with the Oculus Rift.

It seems that this discrepancy could grow even larger moving forward. When questioned about their next project, almost 35 percent stated that it was in development for the Vive, while just over 23 percent planned to release the game for the Rift.

One of the biggest differences between the two headsets is the Vive’s emphasis on room-scale experiences, which might put the hardware a nose ahead of its biggest competitor. Oculus recently expressed doubts about this form of VR, but there was some suggestion that the company’s stance could change in the future.

The backing of Valve and collaborations with major creators like Lucasfilm has certainly allowed the Vive to cement itself as a VR superpower. However, Oculus has ample support to remain competitive, given its relationship with Facebook — the social media giant’s recently announced gaming platform could well be a difference maker.

Meanwhile, there’s reason to believe that Samsung Gear VR will struggle to compete with the headsets at the top of the tree. Almost 34 percent of the developers polled are creating content for the hardware right now, but only 14 percent plan to target Gear VR on their next project.

Editors' Recommendations

Brad Jones
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Brad is an English-born writer currently splitting his time between Edinburgh and Pennsylvania. You can find him on Twitter…
The best VR-ready laptops you can buy right now
oculus quest hand tracking hands on review cameras vr 2

While VR headsets need a fairly robust GPU to operate properly, you’re not completely bound to a desktop computer. With the right laptop, you can run VR just fine, making it easier to find the perfect VR setup around your home or on the go.

Virtual headsets like the Vive Cosmos or the Rift S have their own recommendations for how much computing and GPU power you need. And while this is a good starting point, it doesn’t really give you an idea of what laptops can really run VR well.

Read more
Oculus Rift vs. HTC Vive
msi oculus vr rift collaboration backpack pc on matt back2

The virtual reality headset industry is far more mature than when it re-emerged with exciting new hardware in 2016, but Oculus and HTC's flagship PC headsets are still two of the best choices out there.

Yes, there are other versions of these PC headsets, and while you might be more excited about the HTC Vive Pro, Oculus Go, or Oculus Quest, the Oculus Rift (and updated Rift S model) versus HTC Vive (now currently on the Cosmos line of products) comparison is still a major debate worth having when it comes to picking the right VR headset for you -- especially if you already have a capable gaming PC.
Design

Read more
Oculus Quest vs. Oculus Rift
oculus rift vs vive pro availability

Virtual reality is still a relatively new concept with plenty of room for improvement, but the Oculus Rift headset is one of the top competitors. With the introduction of the Oculus Quest headset, many people are wondering how the two products measure up to each other. 

By comparing factors like design, price, and performance, we can help you figure out which VR headset is the better choice for you.
Design
The Oculus Rift is the older of the two designs and though it does show, it's not an antiquated device. It sports a similar fabric-coated exterior to the Quest, a similar tri-strap adjustable head mount, and built-in audio. But it's not identical to the Quest. The Rift is lighter by a full 100 grams, due to the onboard hardware of the Quest, which includes its own processor and battery for wireless operation.

Read more