Probably a good call
With high-end virtual reality headsets coming to PC and PlayStation 4 over the past couple years, the common presumption was that Xbox was just waiting for the right opportunity to enter the market. Xbox leaders even suggested as much when describing the potential of the Xbox One X back when it was still Project Scorpio. And, that partnership between Oculus and Microsoft was always a strong indication that the Rift might be a VR platform that could be adapted to run on an Xbox.
As it turns out, Microsoft has nixed any virtual reality plans for Xbox One. In an interview with GamesIndustry.biz, chief marketing officer of gaming Mike Nichols said “we don’t have any plans specific to Xbox consoles in virtual reality or mixed reality,” while adding that “our focus is primarily on experiences you would play on your TV” (or PC monitor, presumably).
This was probably a foreseeable outcome, as Xbox hasn’t been publicly enthused about VR for a few years now. If there were something in the works, VR-capability would’ve been one of the selling points of the Xbox One X either E3 last year or this year. That’s unfortunate for the people who were holding out for Xbox as the platform that introduces them to VR. But, it seems like a shrewd and savvy move by Xbox. With VR growing more slowly than expected, it’s not the time to dive headfirst into headsets when Xbox has more pressing problems to focus on.
Xbox’s evolving first-party strategy [GamesIndustry.biz via The Verge]
