Will Microsoft ever make an Xbox VR headset? It's a question that's been on everyone's lips since the launch of Sony's PSVR, but so far the Redmond-based company has been reluctant to jump into the VR arena.
However, with Meta Quest 2 (previously known as Oculus Quest 2) becoming the most affordable and one of the best VR headsets on the market, and Sony doubling down on its commitment to virtual reality with PSVR 2, its next VR. State-of-the-art headset for PS5: It is clear that virtual reality is not a passing fad.
Indeed, it could be argued that VR gaming has never been more popular, which has inevitably led to speculation as to whether Microsoft will also join the race by supporting the technology on Xbox Series X and even Xbox Series S. After After all, the only thing more impressive than seeing Microsoft Flight Simulator running on a console would be being able to play it with an Xbox VR headset.
Microsoft also already has experience in the virtual reality market with its HoloLens mixed reality headsets. It's not too hard to imagine the idea of Microsoft licensing features with Xbox Series X/S consoles instead of creating a console-exclusive headset like Sony did with PSVR. However, at the incredibly high price of $3500 for the HoloLens 2, the wireless headset simply isn't affordable for the consumer, let alone being a mixed reality headset, it's not designed to fully immerse you in VR. .
However, could Microsoft be preparing to create its own affordable consumer VR headset for the Xbox Series X/S? Below, we've rounded up all the information and rumors about it and whether playing Halo Infinite in VR could become a reality in the near future.
Microsoft's history with virtual reality
Although Microsoft hasn't officially announced that it will be making a VR headset for Xbox consoles, it is still involved with the technology in a number of ways. The Kinect designed for Xbox 360 used RGB cameras and infrared sensors for controllerless motion-sensing inputs, which it also (albeit unsuccessfully) added to Xbox One. It might have been possible to implement this technology with VR in the same way that Sony adapted its PlayStation Move controllers and PlayStation Camera for your original PSVR headset.
Microsoft also collaborated with Valve and HP to design the HP Reverb G2 VR headset, and also released its own mixed reality headset, HoloLens, though the latter is surprisingly expensive, with the HoloLens 2 starting at $3500, making it unfeasible for the mainstream. gaming. . It's not even designed to fully immerse you in VR, as it's a mixed reality experience that leans heavily on AR - augmented reality.
However, it was also reported last month that Microsoft had abandoned development of the HoloLens 3, leaving its future bid for virtual reality in doubt. On the other hand, with increased interest in consumer VR and the Metaverse (something mentioned in connection with its €67,4bn acquisition of Activision Blizzard), it could also be that the company is changing direction, with the intention to develop a more affordable user. -friendly VR headsets instead of expensive HoloLens that have so far been focused on professional use, including commercial contracts with the US military.
If he were the pivot, that wouldn't explain why he fought to retain specialized staff. LinkedIn profiles show that at least 25 mixed reality Microsoft employees left for Meta in 2021, including several decades-long veterans.
Should virtual reality come to Xbox Series X/S?
The VR gaming market may be small compared to consoles, with Sony's PSVR selling just 5 million units as of January 2020 (compared to over 110 million PS4 units sold in its past year). life), but it continues to grow. The Meta Quest 2 (or Oculus Quest 2) is gaining traction as a standalone, wireless headset that can still be plugged into a more powerful PC to play games like Half-Life: Alyx.
With Sony planning to release the PSVR 2 in late 2022 or early 2023, there's a feeling Microsoft won't want to miss out on this emerging market by developing its own user-friendly headset. The potential to transform your gaming experiences could also be huge. Imagine how much more immersive Microsoft Flight Simulator would be when you're in the cockpit looking literally anywhere in the world.
We saw a similar impact with PSVR, although admittedly it was held back by its less-than-impressive tech specs. However, it provided an even more realistic experience in Gran Turismo Sport (and we hope that Gran Turismo 7 will be VR compatible for PSVR 2 when it arrives). However, there is a lot of untapped potential in this new generation of consoles, but Microsoft should act fast if it doesn't want to fall behind when it comes to virtual reality.
Why you shouldn't expect VR for Xbox Series X/S
Despite VR's potential, however, the market remains niche, and it's a market Microsoft might want to avoid given such poor performance.
In terms of power, there is no doubt that the Xbox can run virtual reality games. However, when he does broach the subject, gaming CEO Phil Spencer's main concerns point to why the platform game owner isn't quite ready to bring VR to its consoles just yet.
In 2017, after the Xbox One X was revealed at E3, Spencer appeared in a Giant Bomb video in which he discussed Xbox's lack of VR. Although he called himself a "category fan," he had reservations about his suitability on the floor, especially on the strings. This hurdle may have been overcome over the years, as the PSVR 2 requires only one cable and eliminates the need for an external camera, while the Meta Quest 2 is completely wireless, but is also one of the headsets. weakest in the market in terms of computing. energy.
While Spencer hasn't ruled out that Microsoft is getting to the point where it would feel comfortable investing in VR for Xbox, it seems more likely that Xbox owners won't be expecting a dedicated headset or third-party headset support anytime soon, or at least. At least not until another generation of consoles when, hopefully, the price, audience reach, and cable issue have been completely ironed out.
Can you use a virtual reality headset with Xbox Series X/S?
The Xbox Series X/S does not officially support any VR headsets. Although a message discovered by Italian Xbox users in 2021 saw a popup saying "an update is available for VR headsets" when connecting an Xbox Wireless Headset, Microsoft has since dismissed this rumor as a translation error. There is also no Xbox software that currently supports VR modes.