Meta revealed what makes a VR game perfect, and it could be hinting at big hardware changes

• Meta revealed the ideal VR gaming session is 20 to 40 minutes
• Less than that and VR doesn’t feel worthwhile
• Longer and hardware issues can have a negative impact

The findings of a recent study by Meta on the ideal duration of virtual reality games are consistent with my testing of the company’s prior headsets, Meta Quest 3, and Meta Quest 3S.

This recommendation may result in changes to Meta’s hardware as well as changes to the kind of VR apps available. According to its published findings, there are design flaws in the current gear that many people have, however rumors of Meta’s upcoming headset release indicate that these concerns have been fixed for the company’s next product.

Let’s start with Meta’s research, which suggests that 20 to 40 minutes is the optimal duration for a VR game session. More on that later.

According to their research, the “Golidilocks session length” is roughly 20 to 40 minutes, as Meta describes concisely in the picture above.

A VR experience that lasts less than twenty minutes may leave us feeling let down. VR demands a more rewarding experience because it takes more work to enter (clearing space, wearing the headset, etc.), whereas many mobile games can get away with a shorter 5 to 10 minute loop (or even less).

Shorter loops can still be found in VR, such as Beat Saber’s one-song levels, but they must be meaningfully connected. For instance, you can warm up for your VR gaming session or complete a number of Beat Saber missions as part of your workout. In multiplayer games, it could be a pleasant experience to complete your daily missions in two games, especially if a match lasts 10 minutes on average.

People start to feel the effects of physical limitations after 40 minutes, such as their level of fitness for a more active game, social isolation in single-player mode, low battery life, or (for novice players) motion sickness.

For this reason, Meta claims that it has discovered that most VR players find games of this length to be ideal—that is, in the Goldilocks zone.

Although this will immediately benefit your software if you’re not a VR app developer, there are some things non-developers may learn from Meta’s research.

First of all, it offers more evidence in support of the recommendation I often make to those who are new to virtual reality: start with a headset and add accessories afterward.

Now, it’s one thing if they’re free in a package, but you should probably reconsider if you want to spend a lot of money on a headstrap with an integrated battery right away.

Certainly, there are many people who enjoy playing Batman: Arkham Shadow for longer than 40 minutes, so having a larger battery is helpful. I always remember how annoying it was to wait for my battery to recharge during that time. For many people, however, 20 to 40 minutes is ideal.

Before making a purchase, as I usually advise, test your headset for a few weeks to see whether you need a larger battery or would benefit from any additional accessories. If you do decide they’re for you, you won’t have to wait long to obtain them thanks to quick shipping.

As Meta attempts to lower some of the hardware obstacles associated with VR, this research may also influence the design of its upcoming VR headset.

Its next headgear, codenamed Puffin and now leaking as Phoenix, is rumored to have ultra-slim goggles. Its competitor, Pico, is reportedly working on a comparable design (see the Pico 4 Ultra above).

In order to reduce the weight on a person’s head to just a little over 100g, the majority of the processing power and batteries would be moved to a puck, similar to Apple’s Vision Pro, but with much more packed into the pocket-sized pack.

Given that a Meta Quest 3 weights 515g, this would be a significant shift that might make the Horizon OS headset something people want to wear for hours on end instead of just a few minutes.

Furthermore, Meta might increase its size without compromising comfort while the battery is in a person’s pocket. We’ll have to wait and see what Meta announces next, though, as with other rumors. Maybe it will be nothing more than a smartwatch and a headset.