Meta is shifting its focus from first-party development to third-party games for Meta Quest headsets, with Horizon Worlds taking a mobile-only approach. Oculus Founder Luckey Palmer refuted claims that Meta is abandoning VR.
Microsoft has introduced several innovations in Windows, including Windows 365 Boot, which allows users to access a personalized cloud desktop without a local operating system. Windows 365 Switch enables seamless transitions between local and hosted sessions, making a cloud PC function like a regular desktop. The Windows App supports various services such as Azure Virtual Desktop and Remote Desktop Services, and is compatible with multiple devices, including Macs, iPhones, iPads, other Windows machines, web browsers, Linux PCs, Chromebooks, Android devices, and even Meta Quest VR headsets.
Steam's list of the most played PC VR games for 2025 features only one new title, "VR Secretary: Ailey Edition," which is an early access dating sim and has received a silver rating. The top-ranked games include:
Platinum:
- No Man’s Sky (2016)
- Beat Saber (2019)
- Hot Dogs, Horseshoes & Hand Grenades (2016)
- The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim VR (2018)
- Phasmophobia (2020)
- Gorilla Tag (2023)
- Blade & Sorcery (2024)
- Ark: Survival Evolved (2017)
- Vtol VR (2017)
- VRChat (2017)
- Half-Life: Alyx (2020)
- Assetto Corsa (2014)
Gold:
- BONELAB (2022)
- The Forest (2018)
- Hard Bullet (2020)
- Superhot VR (2017)
- War Thunder (2013)
- Pavlov (2024)
- BONEWORKS (2019)
- Google Earth VR (2016)
- Euro Truck Simulator (2012)
- Blood Trail (2019)
- Rec Room (2021)
- Half-Life 2: VR Mod (2022)
Silver:
- Automobilista 2 (2020)
- DCS (2013)
- Assetto Corsa Competizione (2019)
- Arizona Sunshine II (2023)
- Ghosts of Tabor (2023)
- Bigscreen (2016)
- The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners (2020)
- The Lab (2016)
- Contractors Showdown: ExfilZone (2024)
- Five Nights at Freddy’s: Help Wanted (2019)
- Subnautica (2018)
- Metro Awakening (2024)
- Into the Radius 2 (2024)
- Fallout 4 VR (2017)
- Tactical Assault VR (2023)
- Elite Dangerous (2015)
- Into the Radius (2020)
- Propagation VR (2020)
- Job Simulator (2016)
- VR Secretary: Ailey Edition (2025)
- DiRT Rally 2.0 (2019)
- Hitman World of Assassination (2022)
- VTOL VR Mod Loader (2024)
- Contractors (2018)
- Arizona Sunshine Remake (2024)
- BeamNG.drive (2015)
The report indicates a trend of established games maintaining popularity, with a growing community of PC VR users and an increase in monthly connected headsets on Steam. The anticipated Steam Frame may influence future PC VR game adoption.
Valve is set to reintroduce the Steam Machine, aiming to provide a ready-built PC gaming experience. The company is also developing new virtual reality headsets to enhance gaming immersion. Additionally, there is speculation about the release of Half-Life 3, which could generate excitement among fans.
Playing PC games on an Android device using GameHub and GameNative is legal and does not involve questionable workarounds. Game emulation for older systems and retro consoles is different and may have legality issues. GameHub and GameNative are recommended methods for playing games on Android, with GameHub being the best all-rounder. Tweaking settings may be necessary for optimal performance. Android handhelds have advantages over x86 gaming handhelds but may not be a proper replacement yet. The future for PC gaming on Android looks promising as more development is being done in this area.
Asus has collaborated with Hideo Kojima to create a new collection of gaming peripherals, which includes the ROG Keris II Origin gaming mouse, ROG Delta II gaming headset, ROG Scabbard II XXL mouse mat, and ROG Flow Z13 tablet. Each item features a design inspired by Kojima Productions' astronaut mascot, Ludens. The ROG Flow Z13 tablet has a larger form factor, a new color scheme of white, gold, and gray, and playful details on the keyboard cover. It retains the AMD Ryzen AI Max 390 processor for high-performance gaming. The ROG Keris II Origin mouse has a unique color palette and features a 42K DPI sensor and RGB lighting. The ROG Delta II headset includes the Kojima Productions logo and a humorous warning about comfort. The ROG Scabbard II XXL mouse mat features a large Ludens-inspired design and motivational phrase. Pricing and release dates for these limited-edition items have not yet been announced.
Asus is introducing the Asus ROG Xreal R1 AR gaming glasses, which are the first-ever 240Hz gaming glasses, providing a viewing experience equivalent to a 171-inch screen from four meters away. They feature a vision-filling display, portable design, and a higher refresh rate with a distinctive ROG aesthetic. The glasses include "optical engines" for simultaneous real-world and projected display experiences, with outer lenses that use electrochromic technology to enhance contrast and image quality. Each arm has a Bose speaker system for audio without earbuds, and connectivity options include a USB cable, two HDMI 2.0 ports, one DisplayPort 1.4, and two USB-C inputs. They have a 57-degree field of view, covering up to 95% of the focused viewing area, but the resolution is capped at 1080p. A now-removed webpage suggested a launch in the first half of 2026, with a price range similar to current Xreal glasses, which start at 9.
The Microsoft Teams platform has received several updates during December, including the ability to pop out core functions into separate windows, and the integration of third-party ISV compliance recording at the call queue level. Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat now generates meeting summaries, highlights key discussion points, and suggests actionable tasks. A new security feature protects Teams messaging by identifying external users attempting to impersonate a tenant's domain. A Frontline Hub has been established for IT administrators to manage frontline Teams experiences more efficiently. Additionally, several new devices have been certified for Teams, including various EPOS headsets, Lenovo webcams, and Yealink devices, ensuring quality and compatibility.
The OnePlus 15 was named Best Android Phone, featuring a fast chip, three-day battery life, and a 165Hz display. The Google Pixel 10 Pro won Best Camera with its Gemini-powered photo system. The Nothing's CMF Phone 2 Pro was recognized as the best budget option. The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 was awarded Best Foldable Device, while the Motorola Razr Ultra 2025 was named Best Flip Phone. Samsung was recognized as the most improved brand. The Google Pixel Watch 4 won Best Smartwatch, and the Oura Ring 4 was the top smart ring. The Ray-Ban Meta Gen 2 was the best smart glasses, with the Oakley Meta Vanguard for athletes and the Xreal One Pro as Best XR Glasses. Marvel's Deadpool VR won Best Single-Player VR, and Demeo x Dungeons & Dragons: Battlemarked was Best Multiplayer VR Game. The Lenovo Chromebook Plus 14 was the Best Chromebook, and the OnePlus Pad 3 was the best tablet. The Amazon Kindle Scribe was awarded Best E-Reader. Spotify was named Best Music Streaming Service, and Netflix was Best Video Streaming Service. The Gemini app won Best Android App, and Pokémon TCG Pocket was Best Android Game. Spigen was recognized as Best Phone Case Manufacturer, Anker was the top charging brand, Sony WH-1000XM6 won Best Wireless Headphones, and Apple AirPods Pro 3 were the best earbuds.
The Xreal One Pro XR glasses feature a new optics stack that makes them slimmer and widens the field of view. They also include a dedicated X1 chip for spatial tracking, a first for XR glasses.