Virtual Reality's Content Gap: Tech Outpaces Meaningful Experiences

The virtual reality industry is currently focused on economic and financial development, with major investments from developers, engineers, startups, and financial institutions. However, content remains weak. Oculus's best apps of 2022, excluding gaming, include fitness simulators, bartending games, and world-building tools. Creative apps merely emulate real-world activities like oil painting or playing instruments. A notable exception is 'Goliath,' a VR film presented at the 2021 Venice Biennale Cinema, which uses VR's potential to tell a story. The article argues that VR's evolution depends not only on technology but on identifying content that leverages VR's unique capabilities. Without compelling content, the path to the metaverse is flawed, as investments in technology may become obsolete. The author, Stefano Monti of Monti&Taft, emphasizes the need to develop titles that allow more people to enjoy VR's potential within current limits, rather than building solely for gaming enthusiasts.