Beyond Genre: Classifying Virtual Reality Experiences

Because virtual reality (VR) shares common features with video games, consumer content is usually classified according to traditional game genres and standards. However, VR offers different experiences based on the medium's unique affordances. To account for this disparity, article presents a comparative analysis of titles from Steam digital store across three platform types: only, supported, non-VR. We analyzed data subset most popular applications within each category ( N = 141, 93, 1217, respectively). The classification types we were academic genres, developer defined categories, user-denoted tags. Results identify classifications (e.g., Action Shooter only applications), relative availability between platforms Casual more in than supported or non-VR), general popularity received less positive ratings which are associated higher user Music/Rhythm positively rated only). Our findings ultimately provide foundational framework future theoretical constructions systems content, market, interactivity, sociality, service dependencies, underlay how currently categorized.