Despite the economic difficulties, the field of virtual reality has become a real option for investors, even though some, reluctant to new technologies, do not quite accept that within this sector the possibilities for growth are quite high.
The term “virtual reality” may be very familiar to most people, but it is still difficult to recognize it as an investment opportunity. Savvy investors, especially the more forward-thinking ones, are already filling their portfolios with as many VR agency stocks as possible. The secret of virtual reality companies is to go public once their earnings exceed double-digit figures. Some are even waiting for higher profits to put their name on the stock exchange. For small investors, the virtual glasses business is a shot in the dark: the market continues to move on transformative innovations.
Virtual reality in Spain
According to various specialized agencies, more than 45 million euros have been generated by virtual reality in Spain. The great dominator of this field in the country is Samsung, with its Gear VR device, since there are around 4.3 million of this product in the Spanish market. Its closest pursuer is the PlayStation VR, from the Japanese multinational company Sony, with a total of 915,000 devices sold in the country. One of the model agencies, as far as virtual reality in Spain is concerned, is Two Reality. This venture was founded in 2010 with the aim of developing virtual experiences for a growing portfolio of clients. Two Reality brings together a large number of professionals: 3D modelers, engineers, animators and photographers. This company is an example that if you have a good eye, you can reap big monetary dividends in the virtual reality sector. Two Reality currently works with companies such as Aquarius, Red Bull, Indra, Nestlé, Repsol and Reebok.
Large companies
At the moment, three companies are sharing a big slice of the virtual reality revenue pie. Google VR, MSI VR and GoPro VR loosely hold sway over the others. With the slogan, “Virtual reality for everyone,” Google VR is by far the largest company in the industry. The Californian giant has enough financial muscle to maintain and develop its lead in this field, which, by 2022, projects $33 million. Daydream and Cardboard are Google’s flagship products in the field of virtual reality. Of course, both are designed for use on cell phones with Android operating system. MSI, in English Micro-Star International, the thriving Taiwanese company, known for manufacturing hardware, is slowly entering the virtual reality market. With products accessible to all budgets, they are gaining ground. Of course, their low prices do not compromise their reliability. Finally, we have GoPro, the well-known American company dedicated to the development and sale of high-definition personal photographic equipment. GoPro VR, the company’s division dedicated to virtual reality, has a strong presence in the sector with the manufacture of avant-garde devices. Its forte: the drone and its fusion with virtual reality.
Promising outlook
Although virtual reality did not make the economic leap expected, by experts, in 2016, for the next four years the numbers state that this market will be worth $22.4 billion in 2020. Most of the profits will be from software sales. What is most incredible is that these numbers do not include the profits to be made from mobile virtual reality. When the estimates include this, the figure rises to $30 billion. Therefore, virtual reality will experience an upturn in its growth this year. And it will not stop until it is consolidated.
Facebook on the hunt
Oculus Rift, the virtual reality glasses of Oculus VR – owned by Facebook – aims to improve its device for this five-year period. Mark Zuckerberg, owner of this Silicon Valley giant, plans to invest three billion dollars to accelerate the take-off of the Oculus.
