It doesn’t sound like VR is coming to Microsoft’s Xbox console any time soon.
Microsoft has been quick to pack up rumors that the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S consoles could soon get VR support.
The rumors started when a message was spotted that mentioned a VR headset when using Microsoft’s new Xbox Wireless Headset.
How Did the Xbox VR Rumors Begin?
A report from IGN Italy claimed that when it plugged within the pre-release version of the new Xbox Wireless Headset, the Xbox displayed a message that translated to “An update for the VR headset is available”.
Speculation began that this message suggested that VR support could soon be coming to the Xbox consoles, which the letter had been incorrectly applied to the wireless headset.
However, Microsoft has now made a press release to dispel these rumors.
In a statement to VGC, an Xbox spokesperson told the location that:
The copy during this error message is inaccurate, thanks to a localization bug. VR for the console isn’t attention for us at this point.
Will VR Ever Come to Xbox?
Unless something drastic happens, it seems unlikely that the Xbox Series X/S will get VR support any time soon.
In February 2020, before the consoles launched, executive vice-president of Xbox Phil Spencer said that while he loves that the games industry is pushing the boundaries of technology, he believes that VR is a niche, isolating it isn’t attention for the corporate.
In a later interview with Gamertag Radio, Spencer clarified his position:
I wanted to be transparent with our customers on where our focus was so that if somebody was expecting us to bring out a VR headset for Series X, at the launch or something… we’re not getting to do this.
Nevertheless, he noted that Microsoft as an entire isn’t getting to dismiss “where things are going”, which he hopes VR continues to flourish and innovating, adding that he hopes “it’s something so important that it might be a no brainer for us to travel support it.”
On the Sony ship, the corporate previously said that it had no plans for PSVR games on the PS5. However, it recently surprisingly announced that a replacement VR system is in development for the PS5, though it gave no clue when this can arrive, except it wouldn’t be in 2021.
VR may be a more significant concern for Sony than for Microsoft, though it’s fair to mention that neither company considers it a primary focus immediately.
