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[Ammogeddon]

I know Phil Spencer recently stated they are not interested in entering the VR hardware scene at this time, but would they consider making their current consoles compatible with Meta Quest headsets?

Spencer did intimate they would consider an xcloud app for the Quest. Would it be much more of a stretch to consider tethered compatibility with the Xbox consoles for higher fidelity VR experiences. I can’t think of a reason why Meta would be averse to this either, they are PC compatible already after all.

Both companies would benefit from this and could meaningfully compete with PSVR2 without the need of bringing new hardware to market.

I understand Phil’s mindset about holding off on an Xbox VR headset but I can’t help but think it’s a mistake to not have some skin in the game.

 

[R6Rider]

Not really seeing how Xbox would benefit from this when they wouldn't have any VR titles to put this to use. Would they be adding PCVR ports? Or do you mean for them to start making VR titles in the upcoming years for this situation?

 

[Ammogeddon]

Not really seeing how Xbox would benefit from this when they wouldn't have any VR titles to put this to use. Would they be adding PCVR ports? Or do you mean for them to start making VR titles in the upcoming years for this situation?

PCVR ports in the short term, maybe enhanced versions of whatever games already exist in the Oculus store.

 

[R6Rider]

PCVR ports in the short term, maybe enhanced versions of whatever games already exist in the Oculus store.

I can't see them going this route. I wish they would have a hand in VR soon, but that's not going to happen. Lots of their IPs would be fantastic for VR (Elder Scrolls as seen with Skyrim VR, Fallout with 4's VR, and of course Arkane titles.).

 

[NickFire]

Not really seeing how Xbox would benefit from this when they wouldn't have any VR titles to put this to use. Would they be adding PCVR ports? Or do you mean for them to start making VR titles in the upcoming years for this situation?

I don't know anything about hardware obstacles, what they are, whether they can be overcome, etc.

On the software side though, I would think a deal could be worked out for MS to put existing games on its store regardless of whether they make their own VR. Maybe????

 

[SlimeGooGoo]

.

 

[TheDreadLord]

I don’t think Xbox players are interested in VR now. But I can definitely see VR titles eventually coming to GamePass.

 

[NickFire]

I don’t think Xbox players are interested in VR now. But I can definitely see VR titles eventually coming to GamePass.

Why do you think the games will come to GP if you don't think its audience is interested?

 

[ManaByte]

Why tethered? The Xbox could absolutely support AirLink.

 

[PuffyCan]

WMR support would be nice, they already have some VR games from their studios, and it would at least offer an alternative to PSVR for those who only have an xbox

 

[Ammogeddon]

Why tethered? The Xbox could absolutely support AirLink.

That would be awesome.

 

[Calverz]

I think Xbox current strategy is all hands on deck with increasing quality of traditional first party titles. And that should be their focus after a decade of lagging behind. And gamepass obviously plays into that. I get what you are saying. But I think if MS enter VR it will be on their terms and possibly AR route

 

[BigBooper]

They already have WMR headsets and have done nothing with them. I don't see it happening.

 

[Connxtion]

Getting my Quest 2 tomorrow, wish XSX was compatible and had games.

I would assume it would be simple to port over the windows stuff for Xbox since they both run windows 10 kernels. Then it would be plug and play like it almost is with steam eg…

But looking forward to dipping my toes into VR for the first time. First game am getting is the medieval sandbox game, so I can do what the videos all these years have been showing me is possible

 

[ReBurn]

What I would like more than VR on Xbox would be a way to play my Xbox games in big screen mode on a HMD. I like VR and I enjoy Quest 2, but I don't think it makes sense for Microsoft to chase VR just because Sony is doing it. They have too much to do to on the standard first party delivery side.

 

[Kacho]

I think tethering the Quest kinda defeats the purpose and appeal of the device.

Also Xbox aren’t releasing VR games so they would be totally reliant on what’s available via the Quest store and what business sense would it make for Facebook to do that?

 

[Alexios]

Not really seeing how Xbox would benefit from this when they wouldn't have any VR titles to put this to use. Would they be adding PCVR ports? Or do you mean for them to start making VR titles in the upcoming years for this situation?

Microsoft Flight Simulator supporting VR as it does on PC is pretty hot shit. They could easily expand it for other cockpit games they have like Forza Horizon 5 (not necessarily with the hand controllers) and simply expand/not fall behind on third party VR titles vs PSVR2 & PC.

Microsoft Flight Simulator 40th Anniversary Edition - Microsoft Flight Simulator – Game of the Year Edition - Steam News

Microsoft Flight Simulator is getting a major update.

store.steampowered.com

That said they'd more likely double down on supporting PC Windows Mixed Reality sets. Hopefully with updating the base specs to some Windows Mixed Reality 2.0 wave to improve tracking and controllers and everything else and be on par with other company offerings too.

 

[NickFire]

Why tethered? The Xbox could absolutely support AirLink.

My VR experience boils down to about 10 minutes wearing Quest 2, and reading the spec announcement earlier this week plus some marketing materials for Quest 2. So about this Airlink, my understanding is for big games you need to hook a quest up to a pc. Does the airlink replace that cable, giving you full experience wirelessly?

And not to derail, but does that mean an adapter might be possible for PSVR2?

 

[Alexios]

My VR experience boils down to about 10 minutes wearing Quest 2, and reading the spec announcement earlier this week plus some marketing materials for Quest 2. So about this Airlink, my understanding is for big games you need to hook a quest up to a pc. Does the airlink replace that cable, giving you full experience wirelessly?

And not to derail, but does that mean an adapter might be possible for PSVR2?

Basically yes to everything. Quest 2 utilizes your router so the experience varies based on that and overall set up and program used (official or third party). There is also a wireless adapter for Vive and there was one for Rift also but those are pretty old hat by now and are custom expensive stuff.

 

[NickFire]

Yes to everything. There are also wireless adapters for Vive and there was one for Rift also but those are pretty old by now.

Well hot damn that is kind of awesome to hear.

 

[DaGwaphics]

PCVR ports in the short term, maybe enhanced versions of whatever games already exist in the Oculus store.

Seems logical. Plus they could do VR via first party without committing to VR only games just yet (look at Doom VR, RE4, etc), they could just focus on VR mods at first.

 

[ManaByte]

Does the airlink replace that cable, giving you full experience wirelessly?

Yes

And not to derail, but does that mean an adapter might be possible for PSVR2?

Would just need to be able to connect to WiFi.

 

[ZehDon]

My two cents on this, it's something I've thought would make sense for a while now, but the business of it might not make sense. Quest 2 is, effectively, it's own hardware platform. Oculus are pricing the hardware aggressively, and hope to make it back on a cute of the software sales from their store(s). If the Quest 2 was officially and natively supported on Xbox, the developers would need to make their games native to the Xbox, and Microsoft would get the cut, not Oculus. To work around it, Oculus would need their own store that bypasses the Xbox store, and thus Microsoft's cut, which Microsoft wouldn't allow for obvious reasons. They'd need to work out some kind of revenue share - which is why I suspect this won't actually happen. But, I thought we'd never get Timesplitters: Future Perfect on BC, and I was wrong there, so what the heck do I know?

 

[ReBurn]

My two cents on this, it's something I've thought would make sense for a while now, but the business of it might not make sense. Quest 2 is, effectively, it's own hardware platform. Oculus are pricing the hardware aggressively, and hope to make it back on a cute of the software sales from their store(s). If the Quest 2 was officially and natively supported on Xbox, the developers would need to make their games native to the Xbox, and Microsoft would get the cut, not Oculus. To work around it, Oculus would need their own store that bypasses the Xbox store, and thus Microsoft's cut, which Microsoft wouldn't allow for obvious reasons. They'd need to work out some kind of revenue share - which is why I suspect this won't actually happen. But, I thought we'd never get Timesplitters: Future Perfect on BC, and I was wrong there, so what the heck do I know?

Quest 2 is currently the most used VR headset on Steam. How does Facebook make their cut from that? Seriously, I don't know.

 

[DaGwaphics]

My two cents on this, it's something I've thought would make sense for a while now, but the business of it might not make sense. Quest 2 is, effectively, it's own hardware platform. Oculus are pricing the hardware aggressively, and hope to make it back on a cute of the software sales from their store(s). If the Quest 2 was officially and natively supported on Xbox, the developers would need to make their games native to the Xbox, and Microsoft would get the cut, not Oculus. To work around it, Oculus would need their own store that bypasses the Xbox store, and thus Microsoft's cut, which Microsoft wouldn't allow for obvious reasons. They'd need to work out some kind of revenue share - which is why I suspect this won't actually happen. But, I thought we'd never get Timesplitters: Future Perfect on BC, and I was wrong there, so what the heck do I know?

Doesn't Quest 2 already support PC? I don't see how Xbox would be any different. Oculus wouldn't need to do anything with the games on their store, just like they have nothing to do with the VR software on Steam.

Xbox would just be another PC in the scheme of things. Would probably be a beneficial relationship because now you would have a budget friendly PC that could run experiences that Quest can't, locally. All the more reason to get a Quest. If Oculus was blocking PC or limiting usage to the PC Oculus App I can see it being a problem, but with Steam VR supported I don't see how Xbox would be any different.

 

[GHG]

Facebook would never play ball. They also don't need to considering how aggressive they've been in the last 12 months and the corresponding success in sales.

The most simple route for all of this is to get them to enable WMR headset compatibility for Xbox and to get Phil to make good on the VR promises he made when the One X was being unveiled.

But anyway, if you want to play VR games it's not like you're short of options elsewhere.

Doesn't Quest 2 already support PC? I don't see how Xbox would be any different. Oculus wouldn't need to do anything with the games on their store, just like they have nothing to do with the VR software on Steam.

They have vested interest reasons for enabling support on PC. There are a bunch of PC exclusive oculus games they also sell. Also everything runs through the quest link interface initially before you can access anything else.

 

[DaGwaphics]

They have vested interest reasons for enabling support on PC. There are a bunch of PC exclusive oculus games they also sell.

They don't limit PC usage to the Oculus PC app. They fully support Steam VR. I don't see how Xbox would be any different than Steam VR in this scenario, financially speaking anyway.

 

[01011001]

the Quest line would be the perfect thing to support, it already has a 10 million users install base and they are super easy to use.

the could then support new models going forward that steadily improve over time

 

[GHG]

They don't limit PC usage to the Oculus PC app. They fully support Steam VR. I don't see how Xbox would be any different than Steam VR in this scenario, financially speaking anyway.

They don't support Steam VR, Steam VR supports them. It's an important distinction to make. Steam VR does all the heavy lifting once you run it, it detects the headset then does the rest.

 

[01011001]

They don't support Steam VR, Steam VR supports them. It's an important distinction to make. Steam VR does all the heavy lifting once you run it, it detects the headset then does the rest.

the headset needs to also supported that Einstein.

PSVR does not support it for example and you need to use different user made workarounds to get it running and it will still not work properly.

 

[ZehDon]

Quest 2 is currently the most used VR headset on Steam. How does Facebook make their cut from that? Seriously, I don't know.

Doesn't Quest 2 already support PC? I don't see how Xbox would be any different. Oculus wouldn't need to do anything with the games on their store, just like they have nothing to do with the VR software on Steam.

Xbox would just be another PC in the scheme of things. Would probably be a beneficial relationship because now you would have a budget friendly PC that could run experiences that Quest can't, locally. All the more reason to get a Quest. If Oculus was blocking PC or limiting usage to the PC Oculus App I can see it being a problem, but with Steam VR supported I don't see how Xbox would be any different.

Sure, Quest 2 certainly has PC support, but Oculus also has its own PC store created for its own PC headsets that Oculus Quest 2 owners can use. It would be virtually impossible to actually lock out platforms like Steam given that they specifically created PC support. Steam VR does a lot to make that work. With Xbox, there is no existing support to ride on - if they don't specifically build, it simply won't work. And Microsoft stands to gain more from that than Oculus, unless they profit share. I'm not sure convinced they'll want to do that, but like I said, I've been wrong before.

 

[Edgelord79]

VR in general is probably constantly under consideration for Xbox. They probably have a few prototypes created and a team working on concepts, but that doesn't mean it's feasible for them or it will ever see the light of day.

I suspect they've locked the tires with Valve too on possibilities for compatibility with Steam.

 

[TrebleShot]

Sony didn’t so why would Microsoft

 

[MrFunSocks]

Of course they would. If VR takes off and has devs scrambling to make games for it, they’ll enable support for VR headsets.

My VR experience boils down to about 10 minutes wearing Quest 2, and reading the spec announcement earlier this week plus some marketing materials for Quest 2. So about this Airlink, my understanding is for big games you need to hook a quest up to a pc. Does the airlink replace that cable, giving you full experience wirelessly?

And not to derail, but does that mean an adapter might be possible for PSVR2?

PSVR2 has no battery in it so no, wireless won’t be possible.

 

[GHG]

the headset needs to also supported that Einstein.

PSVR does not support it for example and you need to use different user made workarounds to get it running and it will still not work properly.

Oculus doesn't bar you from running anything on the headset once connected to the PC via link but the SteamVR team have worked to ensure compatibility like they do with all VR headsets (including WMR headsets ironically - without SteamVR there would be no gaming market for those headsets on PC).

Sony haven't provided official PSVR drivers for PC and hence the SteamVR team are unwilling to support it.

If you want oculus support on Xbox then first of all Facebook would need to approve it and then there would need to be a team at Xbox to get it all up and running (along with being responsible for maintaining it).

 

[Ceadeus]

That would be awesome

 

[Three]

It certainly is a possibility. There are a few things that make it less attractive for MS though. For one their install base is made up of mostly Xbox Series S. The experience there and porting to it would be significantly more difficult and lower quality. You can't be running 512p 30fps VR so you would have to optimise in ways that are VR friendly and it would require more dev work/planning if you're aiming for a hybrid game. Second is that MS are trying to push a gamepass/xCloud future. A low install base of xbox users owning a VR headset isn't going to work well for them when selling games. I'd say it's unlikely but you never know.

 

[KAL2006]

I don't think they should waste resources perhaps enable it for quick ports from 3rd parties from their PC games.

With Sony I wish they didn't bother with VR, resources going somewhere else is less resources in traditional games.

 

[Hari Seldon]

There is no benefit to Facebook for this unless there was some deal where the oculus app was installed on the Xbox and they revenue shared.

 

[teezzy]

Kinect VR or bust tbh

 

[DaGwaphics]

They don't support Steam VR, Steam VR supports them. It's an important distinction to make. Steam VR does all the heavy lifting once you run it, it detects the headset then does the rest.

True. Obviously someone at Xbox would have to do this work.

 

[S0ULZB0URNE]

MS just recently said no so no.

 

[THE DUCK]

One reason ms could consider this......while the market may be "small" to them in the big picture, they could include vr titles in gamepass and grab a whole bunch more subscribers. If there is one thing vr gaming is lacking, it's being able to try a bunch of games cheaply and gamepasss word be a perfect fit for this.

 

[Alexios]

One reason ms could consider this......while the market may be "small" to them in the big picture, they could include vr titles in gamepass and grab a whole bunch more subscribers. If there is one thing vr gaming is lacking, it's being able to try a bunch of games cheaply and gamepasss word be a perfect fit for this.

Viveport has the subs thing going and is hardware agnostic like Steam for PC VR games and gets most of the games too, maybe a bit later. And you can always trial games and easily refund on most PC platforms.

True. Obviously someone at Xbox would have to do this work.

Yet can probably use OpenXR for a lot of it and simply maintain compatibility for Xbox. Going for an API like that would also make it easier for devs to port the games, even Oculus is switching to that instead of their own custom one.

But I'm just speaking for WMR and most other native PC VR hardware here, Oculus even on PC does so far require the dodgy Oculus app and Meta login systems (even if they switch from FB) to be running and I doubt essentials can easily be ported/ran by a third party without an agreement.

 

[MrFunSocks]

MS just recently said no so no.

Source?

 

[Gameplaylover]

MS just recently said no so no.

I think Spencer was talking about a Microsoft VR and not some 3rd party VR.

@Topic
I think it's possible that they make Quest 3 compatible if the VR market keeps growing. With Air Link that could be great.

 

[Fredrik]

I don’t think Xbox players are interested in VR now. But I can definitely see VR titles eventually coming to GamePass.

Now that MS own Bethesda I actually see it as a must for them to enter to VR space in some way. Skyrim VR is old news but in VR through Quest it’s awesome and I would be pissed if MS don’t let Bethesda make Starfield in VR.

 

[RJMacready73]

It's a pity tbh that MS isn't getting into VR or at least partnering up with Quest2, I for one will be day1 with the new PSVR2 as it just adds to your console imo giving you more options to game. MS seems to be transitioning themselves towards cloud/software services than traditional hardware devices like Sony

 

[Sosokrates]

Maybe one day if meta becomes the defaco VR platform.

But I think its smart Microsoft is not diluting there studios with VR. For every VR game you make means one less pancake game, where the majority of the players are.

 

[reksveks]

Now that MS own Bethesda I actually see it as a must for them to enter to VR space in some way. Skyrim VR is old news but in VR through Quest it’s awesome and I would be pissed if MS don’t let Bethesda make Starfield in VR.

Got Minecraft VR alot later than the acquisition so I wouldn't worry too much about MS stopping Bethesda from doing it