Virtual Reality Is Still Not On The Menu For Xbox, Phil Spencer Explains

While console gaming is still the norm for traditionally experiencing video games, PC is continuing to be the rise for many players looking for a larger threshold in better performance or niché peripherals that brings a new experience to the table. With that, virtual reality is one that many are heavily interested to see expand throughout the industry.

Already, Sony Interactive Entertainment shows interest in the growing platform with the release of PlayStation VR years prior. Now, the firm is prepared to ship a second iteration for the PlayStation 5 sometime following 2021 at the earliest. But, not so much from Microsoft. While speculation appeared to shine in favor of the Xbox company in the past, it was later clarified to be a mistranslation from one of its divisions in Italy.

To reiterate, Xbox head Phil Spencer elaborates on Microsoft’s disinterest in the platform. He explains that while an exciting venture for the industry still does not truly have a place on Xbox when Oculus already exists.

Not really, we’re watching what happens on PC,” he said. “As it relates to VR specifically, the best experience that I’ve seen is Quest 2 and I just think its untethered [and] ease of use in its capability just doesn’t to me require it being connected to an Xbox in any way.

So when I look at a scenario like that, I think of xCloud, I think of the Xbox Live community, I think of other things of how could we bring content to a screen like that. Whether we do something like that through first-part or third-party partnerships is kind of a second step, to do we think the games that we currently have that we’re able to run on our platform would work there.

It is not to say that Microsoft did not pursue the platform in the past. Most notably is its pursuit for a Halo virtual reality experience back in 2017. However, other modern plans that branched outside of the one instance does not truly reflect the aim for the future of Xbox. Alongside Microsoft Mixed Reality, the firm does not see it bridging with Xbox to coexist.

Lately, it appears that perhaps Microsoft is experimenting with virtual reality potentially in a case-by-case basis. In that, it seems that 343 Industries recently hired ReclaimerVR developer @nibre_. While there is no official plans for Halo: The Master Chief Collection to receive a VR update, Microsoft could be experimenting with the peripheral for specific instances. You can read the full report by heading here.

Would you prefer Xbox gets involved with virtual reality?