People making content for virtual reality like Google and Facebook. But they like HTC even more.

recode.net

Almost half of VR developers are building content for HTC.

If you’re building an app for a mobile phone, you have two options: iOS or Android.

If you’re building an app for virtual reality, though, you have a lot more options and a lot less clarity over which platforms will stick around for the long haul. The industry is new enough that a lot of big companies are still jockeying to become Apple's equivalent in the world of VR.

Not surprisingly, Facebook’s Oculus and Google’s VR products like Cardboard and Daydream are popular platforms for industry developers. But they aren't the most popular. That (unofficial) title goes to HTC, which recently launched its new high-end headset, the HTC Vive.

According to a new survey from the Virtual Reality Developers Conference (the same people who put on the popular Game Developers Conference each year), more than 48 percent of VR developers are building VR content for HTC compared to 43 percent for Oculus and less than 30 percent for Google Cardboard.

You may have noticed that these numbers add up to well over 100 percent. That’s because many developers are building on multiple platforms, which is the key reason why this data — while a good sign for HTC — doesn’t mean a whole lot right now. Just like how most mobile app developers build for both iOS and Android, VR developers are hedging their bets by building for multiple headsets. In fact, only 22 percent of those surveyed said their next VR title would be exclusive to any given platform.

Which is to say that while HTC is the popular pick right now, and worth keeping in mind when deciding which headset to buy for the holidays, but don’t count out Google, Facebook or Sony just yet.