The future of VR is here, and it's an exciting journey! Darshan Shankar, the visionary founder of Bigscreen, is reflecting on a decade of innovation and the potential of their Beyond headsets. With the production of Beyond 2 ramping up, Shankar believes these headsets could soon be among the top five systems on Steam.
Shankar aims to meet the high demand for Beyond 2 by February, ensuring a swift shipping process, including custom and universal fit orders. As Bigscreen celebrates 10 years of shared VR experiences on Steam, Shankar hints at the possibility of keeping the 'beta' tag forever, a bold move that sparks curiosity.
But here's where it gets controversial... Shankar's take on Valve's Steam Frame announcement coincides with a significant sales day for Beyond 2. He sees it as an upgrade path for those seeking lightweight, high-resolution displays while maintaining their preferred tracking and controller setups.
When asked about supporting flat-screen co-watching on devices like Steam Deck, Shankar emphasizes Bigscreen's focus on VR, believing others will excel at cross-play. He teases upcoming software developments, promising exceptional capabilities and knowledge in their niche.
Bigscreen recently launched Dynamic Foveated Rendering for the Beyond 2e, with early access in iRacing and DCS World. This feature, driven by eye-tracking, promises improved performance. Many customers, including those with Valve Index and HTC Vive, are already actively using SteamVR Base Stations and Controllers with their Beyond 2 headsets.
And this is the part most people miss... Beyond 2's success is evident, with December being their biggest shipping month, outperforming the previous years' sales. Shankar attributes this to the high demand for lightweight, high-resolution displays, with Beyond 2 selling approximately three times more than its predecessor.
The Steam Hardware Survey suggests that Beyond headsets still have some climbing to do to reach the top five, but Shankar is confident. He believes they could achieve this within a couple of years, especially with the release of Steam Frame and the growing sales of Beyond 2.
Shankar's vision extends beyond hardware. He sees Bigscreen expanding internationally in 2026, improving fulfillment and support in Europe with a facility in The Netherlands. With a passionate team and a commitment to their values, Bigscreen is here for the long haul, expecting to cross $100 million in annual revenue soon.
So, what do you think? Is Bigscreen's focus on VR a wise strategy, or should they explore cross-play? Share your thoughts in the comments; we'd love to hear your opinions on the future of VR and Bigscreen's role in it!
