The impact of VR on adult gaming

In the ‘80s and ‘90s, and even earlier than that, sci-fi authors were obsessed with the idea of virtual reality. From early cyberpunk landmarks to blockbuster films, the idea of strapping on a helmet and being transported to an alternate reality has been explored across hundreds of books, movies, games, and TV shows.

But in 2021, virtual reality is yesterday’s news and tomorrow’s hot new commodity. Silicon Valley start-ups and gaming giants alike are cashing in on the fledgling technology, each with their own headsets and ecosystems to choose from. The question with virtual reality these days isn’t “can we?” anymore – it’s “how far are we going to go?” Social media giants are putting out headsets to explore a shared virtual “metaverse,” and PC gaming developers are making room-scale experiences to rival the Holodeck.

A big part of VR’s success, however, isn’t just because it’s a useful tool for chatting with coworkers, or an immersive gaming experience. Much like VHS and Blu-Ray before it, porn sealed VR’s place in the world from the get-go. Early on in the technology’s life, a select group of brave pioneers struck out to take porn into the next dimension. It started out with a few sites offering live-action VR scenes in the early 2010s, which gave early adopters a chance to live out their dream of bedding their favorite porn stars. As new headsets entered the market, and VR became a more accessible reality for consumers, more studios began to upload premium VR experiences.

Once PC gaming GPUs caught up with VR, game developers got to work on taking virtual porn to the next level. This started with indie projects that paved the way for others to follow, such as the open-source Waifu Sex Simulator. Based on a modded dancing game engine, Waifu Sex Simulator allowed players to create their ultimate hentai fantasy inside a world they had total control over. With a few keystrokes, players could hop into an intimate bedroom or kinky dungeon, then have their way with their favorite anime, gaming, and cartoon characters. Whatever your fantasy, you could create it and watch it come to life in front of your very eyes for the first time.

Soon, though, developers got more ambitious. Outfits like Illusion and Kiss began to make lavish, big-budget VR experiences for the discerning erotic gamer. Titles such as Custom Order Maid 3D2 and Honey Select took the Waifu Sex Simulator experience a step further with in-depth customization options and easy-to-use character creators. Creating and bedding your ideal anime girls was now easier than ever, and anybody with a capable PC and headset could give it a try. It wasn’t just something you could do in VR if you knew a thing or two – it was a mainstream selling point.

But why? What draws people to VR porn, when it can never deliver anything close to the real thing? One factor is definitely the freedom for sexual exploration. In VR, you’re safe to explore fantasies and kinks you might be too embarrassed to bring up in real life. Through video games, you’re getting a better sense of who you are and what you’re into. Used responsibly, that can make a huge impact on your everyday sex life. You heard it here first: playing video games can actually make you better at sex! 

Virtual reality also makes porn more interactive, which is an experience unto itself. There’s a big difference between looking at a sexy picture of your favorite anime girl and watching her come to life right before your eyes. All of a sudden, she’s not just a fantasy – she’s looking at and talking to you, waiting for your next move. And with the aid of a good toy and some lube, it can really feel like you’re getting intimate with girls you only ever thought you could dream of. There are even toys that sync up with certain VR titles now - using Bluetooth and teledildonic tech to give you a lifelike sexual experience while you’re gaming. The future is now!

And luckily, the future also is bright for VR porn. As gaming technology improves, experiences like these will continue to make the sci-fi writers of yesteryear weep, as the future of virtual sex was far safer, less risky, and more fun than they ever could have imagined. Feeling ready for the deep dive? Check out some of our VR titles!