Ever doubted the potential market of Virtual Reality headsets? You could have questioned whether these devices are actually going to be as game-changing as they are proposed to be. It looks like industry analysts Super Data disagree with anyone having doubts about their true potential of becoming a mainstream product.

Recently it has predicted that the install base for virtual reality (VR) headsets will reach 70 million by the end of 2017. The significant figure would result in $8.8m (£5.8m) in hardware sales and $6.1m (£4m) in VR software sales.

The firm set its targets in the wake of last week’s Samsung Gear VR launch. The $99 headset hit the market on Friday, and has attracted positive launch reviews despite requiring a Samsung Galaxy S6, S6 Edge Plus, Galaxy S6 Edge or Samsung Galaxy Note 5 to function. Superdata believes mobile VR device sales will reach 18 million by the end of 2015.

“Initially, affordable smartphone devices will drive the bulk of sales as consumers first explore virtual reality before committing to the more expensive platforms. After this first wave, however, it will be especially console gamers that will spur growth of high-end VR devices,” said Superdata’s director of research Stephanie Llamas (via VG247).

Superdata believes 31% of American console gamers are willing to purchase PlayStation VR, which equates to 3.4 million of the current US install base for the PS4. Meanwhile their research indicates that 18% of PC gamers will look to purchase an Oculus Rift.