In what has felt like forever, we have all been holding our breath seeing if Xbox would dip its feet in the VR realm. Although Microsoft has released VR headsets that are compatible with PC-based machines, we have seen nothing when it comes to Xbox. The PS4 pairs with PlayStation headset, yet Xbox has nothing to compete against with even though Xbox boss Phil Spencer was once on the record saying that the Xbox One X would be capable of “high fidelity VR”. This late into the game, its hard to imagine a scenario where Xbox feels comfortable with releasing something with these current consoles, but what about the next one?
The PS5 and the next Xbox are already hiding in the shadows, and Spencer has confirmed that “the next Xbox consoles” are already in the making at E3. Sony does plan to skip next years console release, seeming as if it will be poised to have a bigger release in the following year. We keep dreaming about what the PSVR 2 or the PS5 could look like, but the in the shadows the stars are aligning for an Xbox VR headset that could really dominate. Here’s why.
The Foundations Have Been Set
Yes, Microsoft doesn’t have a consumer VR headset to call its own just yet, but the Windows-based devices from Dell, Samsung, and others are all based on a reference design Microsoft made on its own. This is the design that has inside-out tracking that makes it easier to setup, not needing external sensors for positional tracking. In fact, the Samsung Odyssey VR had this technology inside of it, and it took home Best VR Hardware honors last year.
That is positionally great for Xbox, but keep in mind we are most likely still years away from a Xbox VR headset. In that time we can expect big leaps in graphics, physics, and human likeness in the years to come. Especially as Xbox believes that VR console should be wireless.
The technology inside the next Xbox will also play a massive role in its future with VR. Most of the games playable on the PSVR are third party made, and they have had to cut back on its graphics to make it compatible with PlayStation. If Xbox (or PlayStation) can find ways to reduce the cuts third party game makers need to make, either can take over as the sole dominator of console VR. But for any of this to happen, console VR need to not only match, but surpass PC VR to start having more games made for it. Microsoft is building its next console with all of this in mind, and they just bought some of the best VR developers. That is a leap in the right direction.
Microsoft and Their New Developers
Back at E3 2018, we heard the announcement of Microsoft acquiring Hellblade developer Ninja Theory. Although it was big news for a wide range of gamers, it was more interesting for the VR side of development. At the time of the acquisition, the UK- based developer had only produced and released one game, that being a shooter game called Dexed. After the announcement though, he released Hellblade, which is amazing and will most definitely be in the running for VR Game of The Year. He is also working on upcoming Star Wars: Vader Immortal in some capacity.
More importantly than all of that, Ninja is a All-Star when it comes to the technicality of the machines. He developed real-time performance capture to make VR experiences much more immersive and realistic. There has always been great potential with this company, and under this kind of management, it could all be realized very soon. And then just earlier this month, it was announced that Microsoft was buying inXile Entertainment. This company’s best work was Wasteland 2, but to all of the VR fans, their best work came in Mage’s Tale. inXile has been working on a open-world survival RPG for VR that has caught the attention of many. This project will not be canceled in wake of the purchase from Microsoft.
These are the two most powerful and great VR developers at the time, and Xbox has launched themselves into the discussion for the best upcoming VR headsets and games. With Sony, HTC and Oculus having to build their headsets and gaming systems from scratch, Microsoft could benefit from VR developers wanting to get their content out there on as many platforms as soon as possible.
An Xbox VR launch withe games like Superhot VR, Beat Saber, Skyrim VR, Fallout 4 VR and many more that are all ready to be launched. With Microsoft already in the VR game, when the Xbox VR releases, it’ll be a safe bet to buy, and thats the kind of head start Xbox will need.
