Xbox VR: everything you need to know
Will Microsoft make Xbox VR a reality?
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The release of aMicrosoftXbox VR headset is a question that everyone’s asked since thePSVRand the PSVR 2 was released, but so far, the Redmond-based company has been reluctant to enter the field of console-based virtual reality officially. That said, it hasn’t stopped players from speculating what could be in store.
The Meta Quest 2 is one of the most accessible andbest VR headsetson the market we’ve seen since theMeta Quest Pro. Elsewhere,Sonyhas doubled down on its commitment to virtual reality with thePSVR 2, its next-generation successor toPSVR.
VR gaming has arguably never been more popular, which has inevitably led to speculation over whether or not Microsoft will support the tech onXbox Series XandXbox Series S. After all, the only thing more impressive than seeingMicrosoft Flight Simulatorrunning on a console would be playing it using an Xbox VR headset. It officially supports PC VR headsets, after all.
Microsoft also has experience in the VR market with itsHoloLensmixed reality headsets. It’s not too difficult to imagine the idea of Microsoft allowing functionality with Xbox Series X|S consoles instead of creating a proprietary headset just for the console, as Sony has done with PSVR.
Xbox VR: is it likely?
However, at the incredibly steep price of $3,500 for theHoloLens 2, the wireless headset simply isn’t at a consumer-friendly price point to be feasible, not to mention that as a mixed reality headset, it’s not designed to fully immerse you in VR.
Still, could Microsoft be gearing up to make its own affordable gaming-first consumer VR headset for Xbox Series X|S? Below, we’ve rounded up all the information and rumors on the matter, and whether playingHalo Infinitein VR could become reality in the near future.
Microsoft’s history with VR
While Microsoft hasn’t officially announced that its making a VR headset for Xbox consoles, it’s been involved with the technology in various ways. TheKinectmade forXbox 360used RGB cameras and infrared detectors for motion-sensing inputs without a controller, which it also (albeit unsuccessfully) added toXbox One.
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It might have been feasible for that technology to be implemented with VR, similar to Sony adapted itsPlayStation Movecontrollers and thePlayStation Camerafor its original PSVR headset. Microsoft has also collaborated with Valve andHPin designing theHP Reverb G2VR headset, and it also released its own mixed reality headset, the HoloLens.
However, the latter is astonishingly expensive, with HoloLens 2 starting at $3,500, making it unviable for consumer gaming. It’s not even designed to fully immerse you in virtual reality, either, as it’s a mixed-reality experience that relies heavily on AR: augmented reality.
However, it was also reported last month thatMicrosoft has scrapped the development of HoloLens 3, leaving its future commitment to VR in doubt. On the other hand, with a greater interest in consumer VR and the metaverse (something mentioned as part of itsacquisition of Activision Blizzardfor $67.4 billion), it could also be that the company is changing direction.
The intent might be developing a more affordable consumer-friendly VR headset, rather than the pricey HoloLens. That range has so far been focused on business use, including commercial contracts with the US army. If this was the pivot though, it wouldn’t explain why it’s had trouble retaining specialist staff. LinkedIn profiles show at least 25 Microsoft mixed-reality employees left for Meta in 2021, including several multi-decade veterans. Still, Microsoft has shown interest in this space recently.
DuringMeta Connect 2022, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella joined Mark Zuckerberg to confirm thatXbox Cloud Gamingis coming to Meta Quest 2 andMeta Quest Pro(formerlyProject Cambria). Unfortunately, these games remain a flatscreen experience, so you can’t suddenly jump into a VR mode for big hits likeForza Horizon 5.
Either way, long as you’re subscribed toXbox Game Pass Ultimate, the platform’s slowly expanding as time goes on. It also meansMeta Quest may beat PSVR 2 for one simple reason.
Should VR come to Xbox Series X|S?
The VR gaming market may be small compared to consoles, with Sony’s PSVR having sold through just 5 million units as of January 2020 (compared to the over 110 millionPS4units sold in its lifetime), but it is nonetheless growing. The Meta Quest 2 (orOculusQuest 2) has gained ground as a wireless and self-contained headset that can still be plugged into a more powerful PC, playing games likeHalf-Life: Alyx.
With Sony releasing PSVR 2 in February 2023, there’s a sense that Microsoft won’t want to miss out on this emergent market by developing its own consumer-friendly headset. The potential to transform the experiences of its games could also be huge. Imagine just how more immersive Microsoft Flight Simulator would be when you’re right in the cockpit looking out over literally anywhere in the world.
We’ve seen a similar impact with PSVR, though it was admittedly held back by its less than impressive technical specs. Nevertheless, it provided an even more realistic experience in Gran Turismo Sport (and we hope thatGran Turismo 7 will get VR support for PSVR 2when it arrives). EvenMinecraft has PSVR support, one of Microsoft’s biggest first-party games.
Nonetheless, there’s a lot of untapped potential from this new console generation. However, Microsoft would need to act fast if it doesn’t want to be left behind when it comes to virtual reality.
Why you shouldn’t expect VR for Xbox Series X|S
Yet, despite the potential of VR, the market does remain rather niche. It’s one that Microsoft may simply want to avoid it, fearing a potentially small return. In terms of power, there’s no doubt that Xbox can run VR games. However, when broached on the topic, CEO of Gaming Phil Spencer’s main concerns highlight why the platformer holder isn’t yet ready to bring VR to its consoles.
In 2017, following the reveal ofXbox One Xat E3, Spencer appeared in aGiant Bomb videowhere he discussed Xbox’s lack of VR. While he said he was a “believer in the category”, he had reservations over its suitability in the living room, especially with the cords.
This barrier may have been addressed over the years, with PSVR 2 requiring just one cable and doing away with the need for an external camera. Meanwhile, the Meta Quest 2 is fully wireless but when it comes to processing power, that’s also one of the weaker headsets on the market.
Spencer hasn’t ruled out Microsoft getting to a point where it would invest in VR, but Xbox owners probably shouldn’t expect a dedicated headset (or third-party headset support) anytime soon. Or, at least not until another console generation when pricing, audience reach, and the problem of cables, have hopefully been resolved.
Can you use a VR headset with Xbox Series X|S?
Xbox Series X|S does not officially support any VR headset. Although a message discovered byItalian Xbox usersin 2021 saw a pop-up message indicating that “An update for the VR headset is available” when connecting anXbox Wireless Headset, Microsoft has since quashed this rumor as a translation error. There is also no Xbox software that supports any VR modes currently.
Alan Wen is a freelance journalist writing about video games in the form of features, interview, previews, reviews and op-eds. His work has appeared in print including Edge, Official Playstation Magazine, GamesMaster, Games TM, Wireframe, Stuff, and online including Kotaku UK, TechRadar, FANDOM, Rock Paper Shotgun, Digital Spy, The Guardian, and The Telegraph.
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