SURVEY | How to Build and Grow a Thriving VR Game Community
Insights from VR Players on Building Thriving Game Communities
Insights from Clique Games' latest survey on player preferences and engagement strategies.
VR gaming thrives on immersive experiences, but what makes a game community truly engaging? To answer this, we surveyed VR players that are currently members of one, or more of our VR game Discord communities and analyzed their responses through data visualizations. This report highlights key factors affecting player retention, engagement, and community growth. Each section provides data-backed insights, practical takeaways, and strategies for developers, community managers, and marketing specialists.
Get the Full VR Game Community Survey Report
Want to see the full dataset behind these insights? Our comprehensive VR Game Community Engagement Survey Report that includes all survey questions and responses – See exactly how players answered.
1. The Impact of Toxicity on Player Retention
Toxicity in game communities significantly affects player retention. While some players remain despite toxicity, many leave when the negativity becomes overwhelming.
Toxicity is a major factor in community retention—45% of players will leave if toxicity becomes extreme, while 35% avoid toxic spaces whenever possible.
Survey Results: The graph reveals that a majority of players leave if toxicity is severe, while a smaller percentage exits only when personally targeted.
Key Takeaway:
Proactive Moderation is Critical – Developers should implement strong anti-toxicity policies, including:
Strict moderation and reporting tools to address harmful behavior.
Encouraging positive interactions through structured community guidelines.
Dedicated community managers or trusted moderators to enforce fairness.
A well-managed, friendly community keeps players engaged longer.
2. Effectiveness of In-Game Rewards on Community Retention
In-game rewards—such as exclusive cosmetics, badges, and unlockables—are powerful retention tools.
55% of players say in-game rewards encourage them to stay engaged in a community, highlighting the value of exclusive content and achievement-based incentives.
Survey Results: A majority of players stated that in-game rewards significantly impact their long-term engagement.
Key Takeaway:
Use Rewards to Reinforce Engagement – Offer:
Exclusive skins, emblems, or titles for participating in community events.
Referral bonuses for bringing new players into the game.
Timed challenges and loyalty-based perks to encourage sustained play.
Rewards incentivize players to stay involved while adding value to their gaming experience.
3. Frequency of Player Participation in Events
Community events—such as contests, game nights, and developer Q&As—can boost engagement, but are they effective?
Only 5% of players participate in daily events, while 40% rarely join. Well-structured, rewarding events can significantly boost engagement.
Survey Results: Most players participate rarely or monthly, suggesting that events lack compelling incentives or structure.
Key Takeaway:
Increase Event Participation with Better Execution – Consider:
Regular weekly or bi-weekly events to establish routine engagement.
Reward-based participation, such as limited-time cosmetics or leaderboard placements.
Collaborative events (co-op challenges, tournaments) to encourage teamwork and social bonding.
The goal is to make events both fun and rewarding so that players actively seek them out.
4. Most Popular Types of Content in Game Communities
Content fuels engagement. What types of posts do VR players enjoy most?
Developer updates, memes, and gameplay tips rank as the top content players engage with—balancing fun and informative posts keeps communities thriving.
Survey Results: The top three content types players prefer are:
Developer Updates – Players want to stay informed about game progress.
Memes & Fun Posts – Social entertainment keeps the community engaged.
Gameplay Tips & Tricks – Players seek value through strategy sharing.
Key Takeaway:
Content Variety is Key – Developers should provide a balance of:
Regular updates (patch notes, sneak peeks, roadmaps).
Community-driven content (memes, inside jokes, player-created media).
Gameplay discussions (guides, tutorial videos, Q&A sessions).
A well-rounded content strategy keeps discussions lively and engaging.
5. The Impact of Developer Updates on Engagement
Does direct communication from developers influence community activity?
50% of players say developer sneak peeks would definitely increase their engagement, reinforcing the importance of transparency and community involvement.
Survey Results: Overwhelmingly, players want frequent sneak peeks and developer interactions.
Key Takeaway:
Developer Transparency Builds Trust – Best practices include:
Regular AMAs (Ask Me Anything) on Discord to address community concerns.
Behind-the-scenes development blogs with insights into game updates.
Clear timelines for patches and features to maintain excitement.
A transparent relationship between developers and players leads to a more engaged, loyal community.
6. Incentives for Inviting Friends to the Community
What makes players more likely to invite friends to a VR game community?
Fun game modes and better rewards are the top incentives for players to invite friends—social engagement features can drive organic community growth.
Survey Results: The top incentives are:
Fun Game Modes – Unique experiences make social play more enticing.
Better Rewards – Exclusive content for inviting friends.
More Frequent Events – Social engagement opportunities.
Key Takeaway:
Social Growth Strategies – Encourage organic growth by:
Implementing referral bonuses (e.g., earn exclusive skins when a friend joins).
Creating social-friendly game modes that encourage teamwork.
Offering rewards for group participation (e.g., clan-based competitions).
A strong word-of-mouth dynamic can significantly expand the player base.
7. How Players Prefer to Receive Major Game Announcements
Timely and effective communication is key to keeping players engaged with a game. Whether it's a new update, an event announcement, or a major feature drop, how developers share information can impact community response and participation.
40% of players prefer in-game pop-ups for major announcements, while 30% rely on Discord. Multi-channel communication ensures maximum reach and engagement.
Survey Results: Players prefer to receive major game announcements through the following channels:
40% – In-game pop-ups or notifications
30% – Discord announcements
20% – Social media posts (Twitter, Reddit, Facebook)
10% – Email newsletters
Key Takeaway:
Multi-Channel Announcements Maximize Reach – To ensure players never miss a key update, developers should:
Prioritize in-game notifications for critical updates.
Post major announcements on Discord, where the most engaged players interact.
Use social media for broader visibility and to attract new players.
Send email newsletters for detailed patch notes, exclusive updates, and re-engagement campaigns.
By combining multiple channels, developers can ensure maximum visibility and keep their player base informed and excited. 🚀
Get the Full VR Game Community Survey Report
Want to see the full dataset behind these insights? Our comprehensive VR Game Community Engagement Survey Report that includes all survey questions and responses – See exactly how players answered.
Why Download?
If you’re a VR game developer, marketer, or community manager, this report is packed with data-driven recommendations to help you build a thriving, engaged player base.
Take the guesswork out of community engagement—see what players actually want and start implementing strategies that work today!
Conclusion & Actionable Recommendations
Based on survey data, these strategies can significantly improve VR game communities:
Combat Toxicity with Strong Moderation
Proactively create a safe, welcoming space.
Incentivize Engagement with Meaningful Rewards
Keep players invested through in-game perks.
Host Regular, Well-Executed Events
Structure events with clear objectives and exciting incentives.
Diversify Community Content
Maintain an engaging mix of developer updates, entertainment, and guides.
Communicate Transparently with Players
Developer engagement fosters trust and loyalty.
Encourage Friend Referrals with Incentives
Offer rewards to expand the community organically.
By focusing on these areas, developers can build thriving, active VR gaming communities that attract and retain players.
