A year after its unveiling and around six months after hitting the stores, it's fair to say that the reception to Apple Vision Pro has been somewhat mixed. Sales were initially strong, but the excitement has dissipated. Reports are rife on social media of users sending their headsets back for refunds, with some citing discomfort. Others have simply cited the expense – around $3K – as a reason not to shell out for the Vision Pro.
Yet, that's not to say the device has a bleak future – far from it. Some argue that, despite the expense, Vision Pro is still at a kind of prototype stage, and Apple will eventually perfect it. Of course, the device also needs to have a raison d'être, a niche that compels people to buy and keep using the device. Could that niche be gaming?
The short answer is: potentially. It's worth noting that Apple has been auspiciously light on its marketing of the Vision Pro as a gaming device. Now, that's not to say you can't find top games to experience on Vision Pro, both from Apple's own catalog and 3rd party gaming providers. Moreover, some of the titles that will come to the device in the future could revolutionize AR/VR gaming experiences overall.
Users must see the potential
Of course, Apple Vision Pro's current status as a luxury item places it in a unique position within the gaming market. Historically, high-end gaming devices have faced similar hurdles – steep prices and initial skepticism – yet many have gone on to become industry staples. For instance, when the first PlayStation and Xbox consoles were released, there was considerable hesitation due to their costs. Over time, however, these devices proved their worth by offering immersive gaming experiences that justified their price tags. So to an extent, it's about seeing the potential of the Vision Pro device, not just what it offers today.
In a broader sense, it's understandable that Apple did not focus solely on gaming. Those with rival devices, such as Meta and PlayStation, focus on gaming, but Apple has had to justify having a device costing up to ten times more. It's for that reason it has promoted the Vision Pro as a computer, not a console. Indeed, the phrase that it used was spatial computing, although that arguably hasn't caught on in common parlance.
Gaming fundamentals could change
There is, however, a fundamental issue that Apple faces. Namely, that gaming is something that you do with your hands with the action taking place on screen. The step to an immersive AR world, where gaming is something you do with more than your hands and has the action taking place around you, is a big leap. Gaming was broadly the same for 50-odd years in terms of the physical actions, and now we are being asked to change that.
Another hurdle it must cross is the comfort of the device, as well as the attached battery pack. Modern gaming is something that lends itself to long sessions, and Apple won't make inroads if users feel the device getting heavy after 30 or 60 minutes, as some reviewers have claimed. MMORPGs and esports-style titles tend to have average gaming session times of 2-4 hours. So, for the moment, Vision Pro users might be better off playing some of the casual titles found in Apple Arcade.
Despite these challenges, there are several reasons to remain optimistic about the Apple Vision Pro's potential in gaming. First, Apple's track record of innovation suggests that the Vision Pro will continue to improve in terms of both hardware and software. The company has a history of refining its products post-launch, addressing early user feedback to enhance usability and comfort. Additionally, Apple's robust ecosystem and loyal developer community are likely to generate a diverse range of gaming experiences tailored specifically for the Vision Pro. The device's advanced technology, including high-resolution displays and spatial audio, could deliver truly immersive experiences that captivate gamers and set the Vision Pro apart from its competitors.
While the Apple Vision Pro faces significant obstacles – its high price point, comfort issues, and the challenge of altering long-established gaming habits – it should not be dismissed as a potentially transformative force in the gaming sector. Vision Pro is still in its early stages, and with continued development, it has the potential to revolutionize the way we engage with digital entertainment.
As Apple refines the Vision Pro and as developers create more compelling content, the headset could redefine the boundaries of gaming, blending the physical and digital worlds in ways previously unimaginable. Therefore, while it may take time for the Vision Pro to fully realize its potential, it holds promise as a pioneering device in the future of gaming.