For many that peep over to the PlayStation spectrum of the video game industry from Xbox, users are questioning the reality of gaming through virtual reality on Xbox. While PlayStation 4 is already accustomed to the peripheral for virtual reality with PlayStation VR, Sony Interactive Entertainment presses that a new iteration for the PlayStation 5 is already in development as we speak.
But for Xbox, there is no word if there is one underway. While there is Microsoft Mixed Reality on PC, the Xbox company did not remark on the possibilities for virtual reality outside of that realm. However, a new report surfaces which suggests that Microsoft could possibly be on the horizon. As part of a system update for the newly released Xbox Wireless Headset that ships this week, IGN Italy reports a message indicating for a VR headset.
“An update for the VR headset is available,” the text reads when processed through an online auto-translator. However, before the report gained much traction, Axios’ Steven Totilo has contacted Xbox PR and learns that the prompt is simply a localization bug for the region.
The clarification from Microsoft happens to reiterate on a statement made by Xbox head Phil Spencer previously. In that, he issues Microsoft’s ambitions with virtual reality does not fit the envision for the platform. While beloved by many users in the industry, Spencer deems the peripheral to be “a communal, kind of together experience,” Spencer tells Stevivor in one interview back in late 2019.
While very upfront about his impression toward virtual reality, Spencer later commented on the topic in Episode 1000 of Gamertag Radio where he insisted that virtual reality is not where Microsoft is leading with Xbox – at least for now that is. “I wanted to be clear with our customers on where our focus was. So that if somebody was waiting for us to bring out a VR headset for Series X, at the launch or something… we’re not going to do that.”
Are you upset learning Xbox will continue with no support for virtual reality?
