VR Companies Report Uptick in Viewership Since Dawn of Social Distancing

VR Companies Report Uptick in Viewership Since Dawn of Social Distancing

LOS ANGELES — Sector specialists like VR Bangers and studios that offer virtual experiences like Erika Lust’s XConfessions are reporting an increase in demand since the advent of social distancing protocols caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Technology is really saving our lives during lockdown times," Lust told Lindsay Dodgson, a reporter for news site Insider. "People are consuming more adult content lately and I believe that at some point they may be longing for something more interactive and more liberating than 2D porn."

Insider also interviewed Daniel Abramovich, the CEO and co-founder of VR Bangers, who said his company had seen a 30 percent growth in sales since the coronavirus lockdown began, because "people are going crazy at home."

"VR Porn actually gives you the opportunity to get transferred into a different part of the world," Abramovich added. "We have experiences in the woods, in hair salons, hospitals, restaurants, other countries, you name it — pretty much places that people miss the most right now."

The VR Bangers CEO explained that during these times of isolation, the virtual reality experience can help people "feel the butterflies in their stomachs."

According to Abramovich, "you're still able to get all the intimacy in VR Porn videos such as kissing, whispering in the ears, and all the other feelings that you get in real life and don't normally get in regular porn."

Kayden Kross, award-winning director and head of Vixen Media Group's Deeper, concurred. "It's the safest option right now as an outlet for sexual needs," she said. "There's a lot of boredom, maybe even new curiosity after a lot of people have gone through their usual routines over and over again at home and are looking for novelty."

For Erika Lust, whose XConfessions offers the novel, in-the-round "360º of Lust" experience, "you can experience a greater emotional engagement and a different sensorial interaction with VR porn. So I guess people watching it could definitely feel less lonely and give a boost to their mood while relieving the stress we may be feeling at the moment."

The VR experience can also offer some variation to the standard cam model show. Stan Gearson, CEO and cofounder of VR camming company DreamCam said he thinks "this situation with coronavirus will have some long-term impacts for users' behavior, for entertainment behavior."

While Gearson admits some users cannot take advantage of his platform because "they are now locked in their houses with their families, at the same time, there are some new users who are using it because they are sitting in their houses alone. So there is a balance between all those trends."

Ultimately, the VR evangelists are offering the same fantasy of escape that they’ve been providing before the pandemic.

"This lockdown makes people feel like they are in jail, and what do people want to do when they are stuck in jail? Escape!" said VR Bangers' Abramovich. "So the only safe place to escape to would be a virtual world. It might not cure your depression or loneliness by 100 percent, but it will for the time being."

To read the Insider article on VR porn during COVID-19, click here.

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

European Commission to Assess Pornhub, XVideos, XNXX Compliance With Digital Services Act

The European Commission plans to conduct a study to determine how well adult sites Pornhub, XVideos and XNXX are addressing illegal content and other potential harms under the EU’s Digital Services Act.

German Higher Court Upholds Ban on PornHub, YouPorn

The Higher Administrative Court of Rhineland-Palatinate on Thursday upheld a “network ban” on Aylo-owned adult sites Pornhub and YouPorn for failing to comply with German age verification regulations.

Alabama Notifying Adult Sites of New Tax Set to Take Effect Sept. 1

The Alabama Department of Revenue has begun sending notices to adult site operators about a new 10% tax on their revenues, set to be enforced starting Sept. 1.

Ondato, CCBill Announce Strategic Partnership for Global High-Risk Market

Age and identity verification firm Ondato and payment processor CCBill have formed a strategic partnership to serve the global high-risk market.

Ofcom Investigates 4 More Adult Companies for OSA Compliance

U.K. media regulator Ofcom has launched investigations into whether four companies operating adult websites have implemented requisite age assurance measures under the Online Safety Act, the agency announced Thursday.

Taylor Nicole Launches New Site Through YourPaysitePartner

Creator Taylor Nicole has launched her new official website through YourPaysitePartner (YPP).

Adult Networking Platform SpicyGigs.com Launches

SpicyGigs, a new adult industry networking platform, has officially launched.

Pineapple Support to Host 'Cream Pie Challenge' Fundraiser

Pineapple Support is hosting its Cream Pie Challenge through August to raise funds for mental health services for industry performers.

Kyrgyzstan President Signs Measure Outlawing Internet Porn

President Sadyr Japarov of Kyrgyzstan on Tuesday signed into law legislation outlawing online adult content in the country.

NC Legislature Overrides Veto of Extreme Anti-Adult Industry Bill

The North Carolina state legislature on Tuesday voted to override Gov. Josh Stein’s veto of a bill imposing regulations that industry observers have warned could push adult websites and platforms to ban most creators and content.

Show More