Bad move imo. VR is good enough already. I really hoped they'd do a cooperation with Oculus.
It isn't good in any way but people will turn anything into a positive or negative regardless. When hololens was being shown everyone was all for it. VR didn't show up on xbox in the end and that's somehow a good thing now.So no Xbox fans want to play MS Flight Sim or Forza in VR? I find that surprising because the technology is there. I honestly don’t know how this decision can be deemed as a good one for gamers.
Source: https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/xbox-is-staying-out-of-the-vr-hardware-space-says-spencer/
"We’re big believers in that software platform and the devices that will enable that. Absolutely. [But] we’re focused a lot more on the software side of that right now. When I think about immersive worlds and I think about the connection of a player and community, that’s something that’s very high on our investment list.
I think that the hardware innovation that’s happening is great and it’s an important enabler, [but] right now I’m deciding to stay more in the software side of that enablement. I believe it will scale better in the long run.
“And you know, I applaud what Sony‘s doing, I applaud what Oculus is doing, what Valve has done. I mean, there’s a lot of good players out there that have done some amazing VR work."
That's why collaborating with Oculus would've been a good move. It's not a big ressource drain that way and you still get all the benefits of VR.Bad move why? The market is too small, if they divert resources from the main console it won't pay them back.
Your mistake is thinking they can wait a full console cycle.Market is still too small and the tech still has some ways to go. They will jump in eventually, maybe next console cycle.
Facebook want their own metaverse and creator economy sadly. I think you might be more likely to see a collaboration with Valve just based off the relationship though its just a feeling.That's why collaborating with Oculus would've been a good move. It's not a big ressource drain that way and you still get all the benefits of VR.
Looking back, I think this is why the Wii failed to really take off.BUT
There is no way I'm allowing the kids to flail away in front of the Big Expensive screen tv. It needs to be setup in a room that doesn't care what gets broken. because things will get broken.
Kinect made them a shitload of money. Their issue with the XB1 was bundling it and having a more expensive yet weaker console. They just don't see VR in their roadmap because they are moving to this cloud and services company. The Series S wouldn't exist if VR was a serious consideration too.I think the Kinect failure has knocked MS's confidence to experiment with niche hardware a lot
So more than 5 million people spent $299-$399(console equivalent pricing)on a peripheral that launched almost halfway through the generation and, had sales and production curbed towards the end in anticipation of a new VR that would release with a new console launch. That’s a bad thing?Around 4% of the PS4 istall base bought PSVR and even less were invested enough to buy hames frequently.
The technology is there on pc as well but the majority there seems to agree with Microsoft.So no Xbox fans want to play MS Flight Sim or Forza in VR? I find that surprising because the technology is there. I honestly don’t know how this decision can be deemed as a good one for gamers.
So it’s good not having access to VR? I understand the sentiment that it may stretch MS, but we have to bear in mind that MS are one of the richest companies in the world, so if Sony can do it, then I’m sure MS can manage it too. I find MS’s reluctance to jump on board anything even remotely exciting in the gaming world as depressing because they have the ability to push the envelope more than anyone. All they seem to be interested in is signing everyone up to a subscription service.The technology is there on pc as well but the majority there seems to agree with Microsoft.
So it’s good not having access to VR? I understand the sentiment that it may stretch MS, but we have to bear in mind that MS are one of the richest companies in the world, so if Sony can do it, then I’m sure MS can manage it too. I find MS’s reluctance to jump on board anything even remotely exciting in the gaming world as depressing because they have the ability to push the envelope more than anyone. All they seem to be interested in is signing everyone up to a subscription service.
I don’t think Sony would be invested in VR if it wasn’t profitable, nor would the other players. I found PSVR 1 to be a lot of fun, but also a little lacklustre tech wise, but I’m optimistic about PSVR 2 and I reckon it could really catch on, especially with the new packed-in controller. Regardless, I believe it is better to try and fail, than to not try at all, but that’s just me.I never meant its a good thing that the consumers doesn't have the choice, but I understand why Microsoft doesn't invest in it.
Sony was the front company with VR, and I am sure Microsoft watches on the sideline to see if its profitable or not. Which they decided it wasn't.
Microsoft are more focused getting exclusives now more than ever, which seems to be a better focus than VR not every xbox user would use.
Well, typically when these discussions comes up, it's primarily ps users who thinks Microsoft should do VR, not the Xbox users.I don’t think Sony would be invested in VR if it wasn’t profitable, nor would the other players. I found PSVR 1 to be a lot of fun, but also a little lacklustre tech wise, but I’m optimistic about PSVR 2 and I reckon it could really catch on, especially with the new packed-in controller. Regardless, I believe it is better to try and fail, than to not try at all, but that’s just me.
I agree mostly with what you are saying, but for tech to improve, you need all the big players to invest and to push each other.Im sure they will jump in when the tech is better. Same with Nintendo
I think by the time PSVR 3 comes and after the tech will be cheaper, better and wireless.
Imagine games like Halo, Forza, Animal Crossing, Mario Kart, Pikmin, Luigi’s Mansion Zelda in VR.
PSVR1 was cool with its faults too, but I can imagine the tech getting so much better. Its only the start, the future VR games will be so good
Well, I have a PS5 and Series X, and MS Flight Sim, amongst other games (particularly Bethesda) would greatly appeal to me in VR. I can’t justify investing in PC gaming as well, so I’m just a bit disappointed by this news.Well, typically when these discussions comes up, it's primarily ps users who thinks Microsoft should do VR, not the Xbox users.
I would never buy or use any vr equipment myself, even though pc has the best tech available in that category. It's just not interesting for me and I've tried it.
So more than 5 million people spent $299-$399(console equivalent pricing)on a peripheral that launched almost halfway through the generation and, had sales and production curbed towards the end in anticipation of a new VR that would release with a new console launch. That’s a bad thing?
That's why collaborating with Oculus would've been a good move. It's not a big ressource drain that way and you still get all the benefits of VR.
It’s not defensive. You’re speaking in percentages which doesn’t paint a picture. And I didn’t say PSVR was released with PS5. I said sales of the VR would taper when it wouldn’t make sense to invest $299 in something that was going to be upgraded soon. The peripheral was available 3 years into the life of PS4 and probably sold consistently until sometime in 2020. It costs as much as a console. 1 in 20 attach rate is pretty good for a first attempt at something still considered niche. There may be some people of that 5 million that won’t invest in PSVR2, but I’d bet there will be more that didn’t take the plunge that are ready to buy it if it gets a nice tech upgrade and some cool games.Not sure why so defensive.
Point is that 96% of PS4 owners didn't care about VR for various reasons. And no, a new PSVR didn't release with the new console (PS5) launch. Maybe next year?
Not saying it as a knock or anything. Out of all the PC users out there same thing applies. It just hasn't taken off yet.
Sounds like MS really need to re-evaluate their growth expectationsI remember MS said while ago that Xbox was going to support VR but never mentioned it again. I asume they expected that it was going to grow faster, but since it didn't became a mainstream thing maybe he decided to wait until it grows way more.
It’s not defensive. You’re speaking in percentages which doesn’t paint a picture. And I didn’t say PSVR was released with PS5. I said sales of the VR would taper when it wouldn’t make sense to invest $299 in something that was going to be upgraded soon. The peripheral was available 3 years into the life of PS4 and probably sold consistently until sometime in 2020. It costs as much as a console. 1 in 20 attach rate is pretty good for a first attempt at something still considered niche. There may be some people of that 5 million that won’t invest in PSVR2, but I’d bet there will be more that didn’t take the plunge that are ready to buy it if it gets a nice tech upgrade and some cool games.
I agree mostly with what you are saying, but for tech to improve, you need all the big players to invest and to push each other.
Your mistake is thinking they can wait a full console cycle.
Good luck to them, they will need it.
That shouldn't be the only dictating factor at play here. You can make this same argument about game subscription services and streaming, but hasn't Microsoft invested into GamePass and xCloud for long-term potential even if the market still needs to grow and they have to invest a lot of cash into it to get things going?Bad move why? The market is too small, if they divert resources from the main console it won't pay them back.
I assume that this should’ve been possible to see since the consoles launched.
The PS5 has specific hardware related to VR and its mobo is designed to output a video signal from the front USB-C port. AFAIK Series X/S doesn’t have that.
Well, I wouldn't blame MS. The reality is that the VR market is still small and its technology, userbase, catalog, pricing and dev support still needs to improve to become mainstream. Maybe this generation the technology, catalog, support and userbase will improve significantly but still will need some extra horsepower, tech tweaks, lower pricing and a bigger support.Sounds like MS really need to re-evaluate their growth expectations
Though I’ve said it before, no matter how small the market is, options are good. Why let the competition have something (no matter how niche) which could be a selling point, and not offer an alternative? Short sighted if you ask me. I’d love to be able to plug my Rift into the XSX.
Please do tell- what would the Xbox division down at Microsoft be busy doing right now that would not allow them to focus some energies on VR?Let those others spend the r&d on vr. Then ms can enter when/ if the market develops further. Not worth the hassle for ms right now. They're going after the big fish
At least half of all VR games require some form of movement to experience properly. Some require you to be able to turn your whole body in 360 degree radius and some require you to be standing. If you only want to be seated while gaming, VR is not the right medium unless you're only into simulation-type games.I really don't understand this wireless obsession. I only play games that can be played while seated, so it doesn't mater if there's a cable or not. I'll pass any game that requires me to be standing up doing a lot of movement.
I'm not the one you asked the question, but I think they've already said that they're working/prototyping the next generation console. And honestly if there is the standard 5-7 year cycle they may indeed be thinking about VR integration for that one. Just not this one or any mid-cycle refresh. I could definitely see wireless VR headsets becoming available in 5-7 years which would line up.Please do tell- what would the Xbox division down at Microsoft be busy doing right now that would not allow them to focus some energies on VR?
Don't turn this stuff into ridiculously reductive arguments.Cowards. Wait till the hard work is done and then buy yourself in. MS being MS.