The rise of Free-to-Play on Quest, a paradigm shift in virtual reality

Meta has revealed a shocking statistic: more than 70% of the time users spend on Quest devices is spent on free apps with free-to-play purchases. This data, shared alongside a new blog for developers focused on monetization, raises questions about the future of the virtual reality (VR) business model and its impact on the developer community.

The Free-to-Play Mastery on Quest

The growing popularity of free-to-play apps on Quest comes as no surprise. Platforms like VRChat have demonstrated the potential of this model, and Meta's active promotion of Horizon Worlds has accelerated this trend. However, the magnitude of the change, with 70% of usage time spent on these applications, suggests a significant transformation in the way users interact with VR.

Impact on developers

This shift towards free-to-play has raised concerns among developers of paid apps. In a recent report, numerous creators expressed frustration with the decreased visibility of their products and the negative impact on sales. The merging of App Lab and content curation have also been pointed out as contributing factors to the difficulty in discovering new paid apps.

Metas response

Meta has responded to these concerns through a blog by Samantha Ryan, VP of Metaverse Content. Ryan highlighted the 12% growth in total payment volume on the platform in 2024, driven by in-app purchases. He stated that free-to-play and premium apps will coexist, and attributed the rise of free-to-play to young users and the growing base of new users.

A hybrid future?

Meta's statement suggests that free-to-play won't completely replace paid apps. Instead, both models are expected to coexist, catering to different user segments. However, the growing popularity of free-to-play poses challenges for developers of paid apps, who will have to find innovative strategies to stand out in an increasingly competitive market.

Virtual reality at Binarybox Studios

At Binarybox Studios, we understand the importance of adapting to emerging trends in the VR market. While the free-to-play model has gained traction in the entertainment arena, we also believe in the value of traditional monetization experiences, especially when it comes to enterprise solutions. Developments such as Digital Home, Sensorial VR or Beagle Virtual Workplace are an excellent example of this.

Conclusion

The rise of free-to-play on Quest represents a significant shift in the VR landscape. While this model offers opportunities for monetization and new user acquisition, it also poses challenges for paid app developers. The key to success will lie in the ability to adapt to this new paradigm and find a balance between different business models.

Questions amp; Answers

• What percentage of time on Quest is spent on free-to-play apps? More than 70%.
• How has free-to-play impacted paid app developers? It has decreased the visibility and sales of its products.
• What is Meta's response to developers' concerns? Meta highlights the growth of in-app purchases and states that free-to-play and premium apps will coexist.
• What does the free-to-play model entail? The user can download and use the app for free, but there are in-app purchase options.

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