It would be hard to argue that Microsoft hasn't tried to innovate in some aspects this gen, not only did they push stuff like Backwards Compatibility or Cross Play hard, but they also took the risk of creating a service like Game Pass and putting every single one of their games there on day 1. Not everything they do is a hit with the gaming community (see: Xbox One reveal), but they don't really strike me as risk-averse at least on the software side of their consoles.
However, if we go back a couple months (feels so long ago, I know), this was what Phil Spencer was saying: "I have some issues with VR — it's isolating and I think of games as a communal, kind of together experience. We're responding to what our customers are asking for and…nobody's asking for VR"
For a company all about taking risks, this honestly felt... kind of shortsighted to me? Many of the biggest innovations across the tech industry haven't really come because people were asking for them, and while I think it's true VR on Xbox One would be a lost cause, as time goes on more and more VR games are getting popular (there are youtube channels that exclusively play Beat Saber with hundreds of thousands of subscribers, for example). Sony has already confirmed the PS5 is compatible with the PSVR, and the only way to play those games on console will be there: this will eventually become a factor for many.
Yes, it's completely possible that those declarations are only because they don't have a VR headset on the market and they're just doing basic PR, but it also doesn't fill me with confidence that they'll ever do anything with the technology. Imagine the beautiful Halo skyboxes, the intensity of the races in Forza Horizon, or just whatever new experience Rare could come up with, it's a big missed opportunity for me. They could even be pushing towards opening VR on consoles by supporting all headsets instead of designing their own.
What do you think? Is Microsoft being shortsighted by not commiting to supporting VR, or are they right in focusing in traditional experiences?
However, if we go back a couple months (feels so long ago, I know), this was what Phil Spencer was saying: "I have some issues with VR — it's isolating and I think of games as a communal, kind of together experience. We're responding to what our customers are asking for and…nobody's asking for VR"
For a company all about taking risks, this honestly felt... kind of shortsighted to me? Many of the biggest innovations across the tech industry haven't really come because people were asking for them, and while I think it's true VR on Xbox One would be a lost cause, as time goes on more and more VR games are getting popular (there are youtube channels that exclusively play Beat Saber with hundreds of thousands of subscribers, for example). Sony has already confirmed the PS5 is compatible with the PSVR, and the only way to play those games on console will be there: this will eventually become a factor for many.
Yes, it's completely possible that those declarations are only because they don't have a VR headset on the market and they're just doing basic PR, but it also doesn't fill me with confidence that they'll ever do anything with the technology. Imagine the beautiful Halo skyboxes, the intensity of the races in Forza Horizon, or just whatever new experience Rare could come up with, it's a big missed opportunity for me. They could even be pushing towards opening VR on consoles by supporting all headsets instead of designing their own.
What do you think? Is Microsoft being shortsighted by not commiting to supporting VR, or are they right in focusing in traditional experiences?
