GDC Survey Reveals: 35% of Game Developers Focusing on XR Platforms

Even with the challenges facing the industry, development in the realm of Extended Reality (XR) remains steady. This is highlighted by the latest Game Developer Conference (GDC) State of the Game Industry Survey, revealing that 35% of its respondents are actively working on XR projects.

The GDC, held annually in San Francisco, is a crucial event for game developers worldwide. It’s not just a platform for showcasing new creations; it also fosters community connections and offers cutting-edge insights from leading figures in the gaming world. Although the event takes place in March, GDC’s surveys are conducted online towards the end of the previous year. This timing ensures the data we see is quite current, and for the first time, this year’s survey included specific questions about XR development, which unearthed some fascinating statistics.

According to the survey, the top platforms captivating developers’ interest include Meta Quest at 63%, SteamVR with 45%, Apple Vision Pro at 26%, PlayStation VR/2 standing at 25%, and Apple’s ARKit for smartphones, which drew 12% interest. You can check out the accompanying image for more details.

It’s essential to note that these platforms aren’t necessarily the ones developers are focusing their efforts on. As the GDC indicates, developers are primarily creating content for Quest, SteamVR, and PSVR 2, with respective figures of 59%, 31%, and 16%.

Interestingly, while Apple’s Vision Pro piques the interest of 26% of participants, only about 8% are actively developing for this mixed reality ‘spatial computer.’ The survey results can’t be directly compared to previous years, as this was the inaugural inclusion of XR-specific questions. However, informal feedback suggests that the number of XR developers and their preferred platforms have remained stable.

Amidst the broader turmoil of studio closures and layoffs impacting both traditional and XR-focused companies since 2023, the steadiness in XR development comes as a beacon of optimism. Given that XR games and experiences traditionally have a smaller audience base compared to more conventional platforms, this consistency is promising and suggests studios haven’t been deterred in favor of seemingly safer investments.

We eagerly await further revelations at this year’s GDC, scheduled from March 17th to 22nd at the Moscone Center in San Francisco, California.