GDC 2025 Session Viewer
Future Realities Summit: Solving VR Gaming's Visibility Crisis: Strategies for Reaching Mainstream Audiences
Jim Squires (Public Relations, Freelance)
Ryan McCaffrey (Executive Editor, IGN)
Maeva Sponbergs (Chief Marketing Officer + Head of Publishing, Beyond Frames Entertainment)
Stephanie Greenall (Founder/CEO, Cake or Death)
Lincoln Davis (Publishing Director, Polyarc)
Location: Room 2002, West Hall
Date: Monday, March 17
Time: 4:10 pm - 5:10 pm
Pass Type: All Access Pass, Summits Pass - Get your pass now!
Track: VR/AR
Format: Panel
Vault Recording: Video
Audience Level: All
VR marketing and communications is trapped in an echo chamber of its own making. Studios can only make sales if they're targeting headset owners — but in failing to prioritize other audiences, the growth of the overall market is poised to stagnate. In this panel, VR marketing and comms experts will be joined by media to explore ways of reaching new audiences, and to solve the riddle that has confounded VR studios for a decade: why aren't mainstream games outlets interested in covering VR games, and what can we do to change that? Featuring Ryan McCaffrey (IGN), Maeva Sponbergs (Beyond Frames Entertainment), Stephanie Greenall (Cake or Death), and moderated by XR games consultant Jim Squires.
Takeaway
Attendees will gain a better understanding of the responsibility VR games marketers feel to grow the overall adoption of headsets, the challenges they face in doing so, and the many solutions proposed and explored that could help attendees connect their games with potential players outside of the existing VR gaming community.
Intended Audience
Marketing and communications professionals in XR gaming, or those transitioning to XR from traditional gaming. A basic understanding of video game PR and marketing will be beneficial in understanding of the unique visibility challenges XR gaming faces.
