MrFunSocks
Banned
“wait and see” is the correct approach here imo. The PSVR isn’t going to be the industry standard headset, is it? No. The Quest is looking to be the standard going forward as it’s cheap, wireless, great hardware, and works standalone or via PC. It wouldn’t take much for MS to allow it to work with Xbox consoles if they want.Meanwhile, Microsoft continues to have a questionable stance on VR in gaming. It's kind of ridiculous that they teased it as a possibility in 2018 and yet, as of this year, they have no commitment to pursue it in the gaming space.
I very much hope they have a change of opinion and at least open up their consoles to support 3P VR headsets. As-is, everyone else from Facebook, and Sony especially, are gaining valuable marketshare in that segment, building brand name presence in that segment, and most importantly, learning and building upon game design within that segment. I still wholeheartedly believe VR (and maybe some form of AR) will be standardized and mainstream, mass-market ready by time of 10th-gen consoles to be included by default at a very reasonable cost.
If Microsoft wait until then to even begin supporting VR in any capacity on the gaming front, they'll have way too much to try catching up on. I would make a similar argument for Nintendo but they've already kind of dipped into (cheap) VR for Switch somewhat, and they have the brand name and IP, plus general hardware creativity and perception among many they're in their "own lane" that they can make a VR solution work in short while and not get compared at a detriment to other solutions on the market.
Microsoft might have the sheer financial and technical resources but how quickly would specific 1P teams be able to shift to VR and AR? iD Software? Maybe Rare? I'm talking about genuine VR/AR-first gaming experiences, that'll require certain skillsets gathered over the years. Also anything MS does by then will be pitted directly against PSVR, Oculus, Vive, and Valve's VR.
Anyway tho, back on topic; GGs OQ2, wish it had a better company as a platform holder but that aside it's great to see VR solutions gaining traction among the larger market. Lots of growth potential this gen between that and PSVR2.
VR is still a niche. Remember how Sony went all in on 3D while Microsoft chose to “wait and see”? Microsoft were right on that one. VR on consoles especially is tiny. The PSVR sold to like 2% of the 120 million PS4 owners. PSVR 2 is rumoured to be wired again, which means it’s a no go for a lot of people. It also requires a console no one can buy, and then will likely cost more than the Quest as well. If MS just add Quest support to the Xbox that’s an instant win over PSVR, and if VR gets big enough that’s what they’ll do. They don’t need to make their own games or hardware for it.
Not to mention that there is zero chance of the PS5 or future consoles supporting the Quest or any other non Sony VR headset since they make their own.
Last edited: