Virtual Reality Check: Wait...Are Microsoft The Good Guys?

Asa from Gameondaily takes a look at all the heavy hitters in the new Virtual Reality game and assesses which company is doing right (and wrong) by gamers and whether Microsoft's attempts to enter the VR market are positive or otherwise.

[TankCrossing]

I'm going for a Rift, but expect to get most of my software from Steam. If Valve played for a closed system I'd have no confidence in either PC option, and I'd probably get PSVR.

Microsoft don't figure into the decision at all right now, because right now is when I want VR and they have nothing... i hope their Windows VR stuff is fully inclusive of both Vive and Rift when it does arrive though.

[Yohshida]

They have nothing but people need to look at Oculus, the first of the big 3 out and coming with a xbox one controller, why you may ask.... well MS owns a good amount of Facebook which would lead into basically partly a MS product. Since they also got the partnership with valve, they would be happy you buy one of these 2.

[Fatal-Aim]

@ the title

Only when they're getting their butt kicked royally.

[MyDietEqualsGames]

Microsoft owned about 1.6%of Facebook and sold some shares after IPO. Their strategic search partnership floundered and both parted ways.

[donthate]

I got a Rift too, but if I knew about this before that I might have waited and see where it is going. At $299, it is a good deal if the headset is good. It also requires less equipment to setup.

That said yeah, MS is certainly the good guys here and they are trying to unify VR development so we don't have a gazillion different API's. The downfall is of course, you might end up with 3 popular ones instead of one dominant one or two as it is now.

[Mexxan]

I totally rate Rift - but only with the touch controllers. Being a previous Vive owner and now having a PSVR I can honestly say PSVR is VR done badly. Only plus is significantly less SDE.

[2pacalypsenow]

Based on what MS did with the forced windows 10 updates, no they are not.

[miyamoto]

100% agree

[maybelovehate]

You mean offering an OS for free so they can offer users better security? Damn them.

@whinersBelow: No one is forced to upgrade. I have machines that still have Windows 7 on them. You guys are so emotional and misinformed. And the only time it can auto update on Windows 7 is if you have that feature turned on.

As for Apple, they do charge for updates. At least major updates. Microsoft has never or will ever charge for Service Packs or minor updates.

[2pacalypsenow]

if it means leaving your computer on then coming back and its already updating without your consent then yes damn them, they got sued and lost for it too. Apple gives you free upgrades too but doesn't force the download on a consumer to inflate their numbers.

[IamTylerDurden1]

Or stealing from Apple and running a monopoly? They were taken to court and found guilty of being a monopoly. Funny how they mysteriously won the appeal...

[darthv72]

As far as W10 goes, it was not "forced" on me. I voluntarily chose to upgrade and it has been a pleasure with no issues to report. That was on my Vaio laptop but my sons tower that he built had some issues so he went back to 7. For some it was a snap, others not so much but it wasn't "forced".

[jznrpg]

THey fuxking installed it on my windows 7 computer without me doing anything

[threefootwang]

MS and "good" in the same sentence? UH OH. Incoming backlash in 3..2..1..

Only on N4G will you see something good being done by MS turned into something hateful and horrible.

As for Win10 update, it was free and completely voluntary. Even better I have the full option of reformatting back to Win7 if I want. But no yes, damn the evil MS for "forcing" me to upgrade. Lmfao, I tell yah!

[MyDietEqualsGames]

I see you forgot to mention the dx12 trojan horse so it would get gamers to switch from lord tier win7. That shit is shrewd.

Wanna know why it was free? Microsoft store trojan horse.

[DragonKnight]

@darth: W10 was HEAVILY pushed, to the point that it was made a recommended download towards the end of the free offer, some people even had it download without their consent. Of course you didn't have to install it, but that tactic was incredibly invasive and annoying.

Also, W10 has caused no small number of problems for many people around me. I even spoke to an IT guy who had to go to multiple offices and reinstall new drivers on printers and scanners because a W10 update rendered the scan function unusable.

W10 is awful.

[ArmrdChaos]

Microsoft could throw a mountain of 1000 dollar bills out a window down onto the public and people on this site would be preaching how evil Microsoft was for littering. The psychosis is rather amusing.

[Mulando]

I don't understand those people, too.
If you don't want to use Windows 10, use windows 7,8, xp, Macos or linux if you want. But don't expect MS will support those (windows-)OSs forever.
Every MacOs oder iOS support is way shorter than the windows support. You even could not install newer MacOS updates on older machines (like 5 years old machines). If you don't want it, use something else.

MS is still a company that must make money (as every other company). They gave out windows 10 for free and people are still complaining.
They develop their OS like they think, it would be ready for the future. Sometimes they have a perfect match (like XP or win7) and sometimes they don't (like vista). They must evolve and btw, they are still backwards compatible to every 32-bit windows process. Even to 16-bit DOS if you use a 32-bit windows (but that is a limitation of processors, not OSses).

And for those people that think their App store is a mess, think about people, that don't know much about computers. They just want to start their programs and that is all they wanne do. They want to click something in a shop and open the application, nothing more. And that's where their app-model is needed for the future of the system.

@2pacalypsenow
apple gives you only free updates for a specific time. If you want to update from an older version (if they still support the hardware) you must pay for the update.
MS also gives free updates, they are called service packs and there were plenty of them for every OS. Now with windows 10 they are regular updates 2 or 3 times a year.
Btw, windows 10 is one of the savest OSs on market. they have the least amount of security vulnerabilities of current OSes (well, maybe unix has less (not Linux)).

[Aenea]

Apple doesn't even charge for major upgrades! You're misinformed! :p

[TankCrossing]

That's a bit of an odd criteria to base your decision on since Valve, Sony, and Oculus all force you to keep their respective platforms up-to-date as well.

[2pacalypsenow]

But none of those will update automatically without your permission or trick you into updating.

[TankCrossing]

No they have settings that let you control whether they automatically install updates or not. As does Windows.

It isn't really an apples to apples comparison, but actually the other 3 force you to stay offline if you don't update so I guess Microsoft are the most flexible in that regard.

[donthate]

2pac:

No, Sony instead put DRM on your music CD, auto-install a rootkit on your computer, and alters your ability to legitimately rip your CDs and open your computer up to vulnerabilities. It affected 22 million CDs and:

"Following public outcry, government investigations, and class-action lawsuits in 2005 and 2006, Sony BMG partially addressed the scandal with consumer settlements, a recall of about 10% of the affected CDs, and the suspension of CD copy protection efforts in early 2007."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wi...

Sony got a slap on the wrist and music business is good as usual.

Also, don't forget the forced update to PS3 that removed features from your console, like OtherOS/Linux!!!

[aconnellan]

@2pac

Will your PlayStation continue to let you play games online if you don't update it? Will Steam?

[freshslicepizza]

Doesn't Sony also force updates on the consoles? I remember a time many didn't want to update their PS3 systems but they had to if they bought certain games that had it built in and if you want to play online.

This is why Android is such a mess, millions refuse to update and this can cause serious risks and security. So you have to balance the interest of the consumer and also the stability of the service. Bottom line, some people don't like being told what to do even if it has no effect at all with their worries of what they may be concerned about.

[trooper_]

No they don't.

[freshslicepizza]

@spectre_

please get your facts right, thanks.

http://www.playstationlifes...

and this,

http://www.pcworld.com/arti...

"When Sony's PS3 firmware update 3.21 debuts on April 1, it'll disable the "Install Other OS" feature on millions of older systems. While you don't have to install the update, opting out will bar access to the PlayStation Network, newer games and Blu-ray movies, copyright-protected videos streamed from a media server, and any other new features in firmware version 3.21 forward"

[Aceman18]

They tried to force it everytime i turn on my laptop but i just decline the update everytime.

[zb1ftw777]

Hey.

How about the forced iOS updates too?

How about the forced Sony os firmware updates on their consoles too?

Dont single MS out and paint them as the bad guys unless you intend on calling every other company the bad guys too.

That would make you a........hypocrit !!

[freshslicepizza]

There is so much venom towards Microsoft that some become oblivious of what is and what they want to portray what might be.

Who is locking its vr to just one console? Who is charging to play older games and has gotten away from backwards compatibility that used to be be a major marketing plug back in the day? Who kept talking about how open they are only to now remain silent about cross play with other consoles, blocks services like EA access and restricts mod support?

I can't believe people are still going on about how evil they are and want to monopolize everything as their direct competitor is trying to secure any IP they can and restrict access in games like street fighter forever.

I guess focusing on what is instead of what might happen is too much of a reality check for some

[gangsta_red]

Lol, it always slays me how some folks like to paint MS as "forcing" them to do something and yet open wide with a smile for the same type of supposed forced 'options' from other companies.

[2pacalypsenow]

Please tell me one other company as big as MS that automatically updates your device over night without asking you to press ok to update?

[darthv72]

@2pac, please tell me you arent that lazy to change the settings so as to keep the system from auto updating overnight like you say. Sounds like your issue is you and the lack of understanding how to customize it to your needs.

MS aint the one to blame in your situation. User error in this case.

[gangsta_red]

@2pacalypsenow

You're kidding right? Because I was asked to upgrade to Win 10 not forced. I seriously don't know one person that was forced to upgrade. I still know a couple of people still on Win 8.1 for whatever reason.

And I guess you never encountered updates for any device that were necessary for new features to work eh?

Again, it's beyond comical how MS always seems to force certain people to do things against their own will.

[2pacalypsenow]

Obviously none of you work in the tech field to know how many people's computers got updated to 10 over night without them knowing it, and in some cases causing their Os installation to get corrupt.

http://www.breitbart.com/te...

http://www.infoworld.com/ar...

http://www.howtogeek.com/24...

Yeah "Not Forced"

[babadivad]

2pac is such a troll.

MS has not forced you to upgrade your OS.

I'm still on win8.1 and Win7[different computers of course].

There's a small icon in the system tray that ask every to upgrade to Win10. But if I don't click on it and say yes. It won't "force" anything.

I wish you blind fanboy guys would be as hard on Sony so they can do better as well. Whatever, trolls run this site now. You guys have lost all objectivity.

[MasterCornholio]

How does this happen then?

https://www.youtube.com/wat...

Pretty sure he didn't agree to upgrade during the stream.

[gangsta_red]

@MasterCornholio

As many have stated, there are options in settings that can prevent that from happening.

So again, how is it any different from any other device that "forces" you to upgrade? Why is MS always painted as some sort of villain for common practices?

[trooper_]

Well said. I could be working in something important, get something to drink and come upstairs to see an automatic update running.

It's annoying.

[xDealtwithIt]

You read a couple of posts of people not being informed enough and now it's MS's fault and they were "forcing" Win 10 on people.

I bet you think MS is going to come to your house and force their VR on your face like you believe they did with Win 10.

But yea, let's also ignore the many forced updates and money hat tactics that made something or a product exclusive to Sony and every other company that has pulled the same thing on the consumer.

Nope, only MS is the bad guy. I guess it would be true to the parrotive hive mind that seems to read MS is evil then applies that to their personal life.

[freshslicepizza]

How did this topic get so sidetracked? Microsoft is offering $300 vr headsets and some think this direction means vr as a whole will be locked to Windows? This is becoming Comedy Central.

[xDealtwithIt]

@moldybread

I'm waiting for the sony fanboys to start reaching even further and say that MSVR headsets will give anything you're looking at to the NSA.

[babadivad]

The fact that you have so many agrees for a patently false statement shows the state the site is in. As long as it's Microsoft bashing, you can sit back and let the agrees pour in I guess.

[Raiden]

You didn't have to UPGRADE, you could have continued using whatever version of WINDOWS, also your statement is make no business sense, every company that has device upgrades it and the software, every year you see a new IPHONE or ANDROID, how many people rush to get these new devices, many do, yet there have a choice not too, all hardware and software developers create and move forward if they don't they will be left behind, MS W10 was created for far more complex options for developers, tools that communicate better than the other OS on there platforms, a bit like ANDROID (which is more opened friendly with security or policies) but still W10 close ecosystem allows for a better security, anyway my point is you did have to change, it was you choice to do so.
I MAY GET FLAMED FOR THIS BUT DON'T CARE, I UNDERSTAND THAT MANY OF YOU HAVE A HATE FOR MS BUT DONT LIE ABOUT IT SO..........

TO ALL THE COMMENTS BELOW THAT CLAIMS MS FORCE W10 ON THE ARE ALL LIERS, EITHER THAT OR CAN'T READ.

As you had the option to reinstall/ REVERT your previous version of Windows also you had to request the UPGRADE in the first place, so stop the MINDLESS BS and come back with some other lies.

[Why o why]

There will be a massive u turn by many if ms jumps in.

Laud what you have. . . Downplay what you don't have. . . . Until you have it too of course ;)

[Yohshida]

They already are invested into VR, but please don't tell anybody

[IamTylerDurden1]

Or Microsoft's actual internal mantra "embrace, extend, exterminate". Good guys..

[Condemnedman]

boo hoo

[gangsta_red]

I personally can't wait for VR now that MS announced it! I always said VR was the future!

[Errorist76]

Lol Rookie...at least you don't seem to take yourself serious anymore...just like anybody else!

[gangsta_red]

@kraenk12

You can't be too serious, especially when it involves video games.

[shiva1]

Lol. Whatever MS does people have something negative to say about.

This December though a new line of VR products are being described to those who already shut their eyes and ears with whatever they got. They have been announced on Oct 26th and no article was out on it. Oooh well its PSVR everyone is after and they need a reason to say that Microsoft has nothing for now or ever.

Really, no matter what is coming from MS there's a group which cannot even see or want to hear it. Makes me believe their heads are stuck so deep in what ever they are in.

[SpaceRanger]

MS digs their own holes then tries to crawl out and fill them with BS. They and their fanbase didn't care for VR and now talk about wanting to lead in it.

So I don't think it takes a genius to be skeptical about their take on anything. The backtracking and hot air they've spewed over the years only gives more reason to be skeptical.

[danny818]

backtracking has done them well and has won back the hearts of some gamers perception of the Xbox brand. Now this article is about VR hardware. As a company dumping R&D into a market that has not proven itself. For now the the games feel great because of the new experience but feel empty. I would say also feel like glorified demos

[IamTylerDurden1]

Danny818,

Do you have PSVR?

Have you tried full games like Rigs, Eve Valkyrie, Battlezone, Bound, Driveclub VR, Robinson, or Tethered? Call Arkham VR or Until Dawn RoB demos, but they are great VR experiences. Ppl who don't own PSVR are way off and seem to think that every VR game is a 15min demo. Maybe the 5 demo games in VR Worlds is the reason?

[343_Guilty_Spark]

What hole did they dig?

They have said the future is mixed reality, which is why they developed the technologies behind the software and hardware that drives Hololens. Google tried something similar with Glass but it was a terrible device.

Many of the core technologies that power the Hololens such as inside out tracking which eliminates the need for Kinect or PS Eye has been open sourced to developers of VR headsets.

Microsoft is also working on technology for wireless low latency cloud based (using high end GPUs) VR as illustrated by there MS research project called IRIDES.

On top of that they are working on new inputs for VR and mixed reality that will allow users to touch and feel objects in the virtual world such as Texture and Normal touch. Please google it.

So to say that are just sitting back waiting to see what Sony does is a flat out lie.

What they are doing is working with manufacturers to distribute core APIs and technologies via Windows Holographic that will power the next generation of VR/AR headsets. This is turn will coincide with the launch of software that fully takes advantage of the newer headsets.

What this means for PC and Xbox gamers is:

Cheaper headsets
VR without the need of external cameras.
More mobility
Less horsepower to drive the headsets
More open platform

[shiva1]

To you and those who liked your comment... Just go fucking check how many patents are being filed between Microsoft and Sony. Search from day one of their existence... Microsoft did take billions of loss and went on to buy a game for 2 billion, beam for 300+mil and alot of things as well. They dont care if there are holes...one big hole for sony can tear it apart.

[cyber_daemonx]

Yup bandwagoning again lol.

[xDealtwithIt]

Spaceranger, could you show us some examples of their fanbase not caring about VR and now wanting to lead in? Or is this more generalization from a certain fanbase that are constantly moving goal posts and critizing every little thing the competition does?

It was pretty much a given that MS would reveal a VR headset soon. It's obvious that they will have something with the release of the powerful Scorpio.

I'm sure when that happens then you'll be back saying how MS fans never liked VR and how Sony were the first to create it and bring it to the children.

Only to the sony faithful do they take offense and call everything MS does a conspiracy all the while not even realizing (or defending) that Sony has done everything MS has in terms of "shady" business practices.

[IamTylerDurden1]

Are you joking? Microsoft howls to the moon about how much better they'll be than the other guy "in the future". Ppl are tired of it after dx12, cloud, and esram. Now, all you hear is how great xbox will be in a year from now. MS did it to themselves and they are still doing it.

Ppl want PSVR, ppl are more concerned about PSVR right now bc IT ACTUALLY RELEASED. PSVR is a consumer product that is currently available. Of course ppl are more concerned with a product they can actually play right now. Microsoft never brags about what they have, they brag about what they will have in the future.

[shiva1]

You need to know one thing. VR is not xbox division bound. It is for all devices for Microsoft. They are not talking about Xbox only.

You did not read the article, but the article itself is stupid. This is about VR for Microsoft and the VR's coming out this december and not two or twenty years later. The VR's which are coming from microsoft announcement are advanced than Rift, Vive or PSVR as they dont need camera, which this article did not even mention.

Oculus division is working on cameraless (a possible dent for kinect) VR device and Mark himself said that it is still in idea phase. Windows 10 is getting VR this december which does not require camera and the device starts at $299. This was announced on Oct 26th and you were busy and excited for 27th for apple conference as rest of the world is.

PC master race>any existing devices..... You know why... Cause its open standard.

[xDealtwithIt]

More die hard sony fanboys complaining about MS and them advertising and explaining what they will have for their fans. I wonder if other companies show off and talk about upcoming features, products or devices? Oh yea, Sony!

If MS didn't talk about anything you all would be here saying how MS isn't saying anything and has no answer.

MS does show off something (at their own event by the way) and now you complain how they talk too much and about future products at that.

No matter what MS does it seems to haunt and bother you to no end and that is the real issue. The fact that you complain about a regular business practice that every successful business does, show off future products to their users as well as shareholders.

And you're either a liar or a fool if you think MS isn't bragging (promoting) their current products now.

[s45gr32]

People also care about Vive/Oculus not just PSVR

[Mrveryodd]

you mean the own arses? and i find Apple the worst , they ditch there hardwear after a few years (ipod 4 touch)

[OB1Biker]

Really you guys are getting ridiculous with that victimised attitude. N4G hates Ms right? Millions of people can't express themselves on this site right?
Yes that news was on here and there was not much to say about those VR things because nobody knows much about them. And the day after that article about Phil talking about VR and stuff. And again and again. Arent there enough of those Phil says articles for you? Project Scorpio that nobody saw anything about isn't talked enough for you?
People always have something negative to say about everything and Ms is not the victim you pretend on the contrary a lot of the internet is rolling for them.

[trooper_]

Gee, now VR is a good thing?

Lol, the goal moving cracks me up every time.

[xDealtwithIt]

Like paying to play online? Yea, I laugh at that too.

Who said VR is a bad thing?

[BLKxSEPTEMBER]

I'm not a big fan of the VR craze these days. I bought a PSVR but haven't been able to try it because I sold my ps4. I can't really say if it's good or not but usually gimmicks don't work out to well in my household. I think it's smart for MS to wait it out and see how this all goes. Early adaptors usually get screwed on new tech price wise and feature wise.

[ritchi45]

You bought a PSVR even though you don't have a PS4?

[BLKxSEPTEMBER]

I had a ps4 at the time I paid off my pre order for the psvr. I recently sold the ps4 to upgrade to the PRO. During that time the PSVR was released which is how I now have a PSVR without a ps4 until the 10th.

[yeahright2]

Now that makes sense. you had me scratching my head there for a second.

[TankCrossing]

"I bought a PSVR but haven't been able to try it because I sold my ps4."

Whups.

[Babadook7]

Let's all agree on one thing. VR in general is a 'good guy' and we want it to win on its own terms. I'm a very happy PSVR owner, and before I even consider who's good and who's bad, I just hope for a world where VR's incredible potential is fully realized in AAA quality games. The sooner that happens the better and in a way, any success in the VR space, be it Oculus or even Microsoft, will mean better VR budgets and support down the line.

[shiva1]

But PSVR is in closed ecosystem. If you want VR to be successful it should be on open standards.... Few hundred Million of PCs vs 40 mil ps4, which will get support? Open or closed system? And what else can PSVR do other than games and movies?

Ya ya.... Only gaming. No other experiences can be achieved then.

[yeahright2]

How many of those PC's are VR capable?
the most successful console ever was on a closed platform. the top games sell better on a closed platform, ubisoft just said so yet again.
The PS1 couldn't play movies, had no online multiplayer, no streaming, nothing. compare that to what the PS4 is capable of. PSVR is not a one and done device, it will probably have more to offer within it's first generation, much like the PS4 of today can do a lot more than the PS4 at launch.

[Aenea]

Okay, find the financial numbers of the big publishers that have recently surfaced (or check last year's), you will see that even though there are way more PCs out there than there are PS4 consoles that PS4 (and consoles in general I might add) sell way more units than the PC...

Conclusion: the number of potential PC users out there doesn't mean much if less of them will be buying VR games....

[medman]

No.

[IamTylerDurden1]

Good guys? Embrace, Extend, Extinguish...

[PistolsAtDawn]

Yes. MS played this card well. They support a wide array of options at various levels of quality and price that work on multiple devices. So if you know you want or have a rift now foe your PC...use it with your PC then later with your Scorpio. Not only that.....they have already allowed cheaper devices to perform better and provide options more expensive devices don't provide....through DX12 and their HoloLens tech they are sharing with 3rd parties.....so yes, providing consumers with options and flexibility and Devs with r&d assistance that puts them immediately on top makes them good guys here

[Cy]

There are no "good guys" or "bad guys". This is such a stupid mentality to have towards companies. They don't exist to hurt you or to be your champion; they exist to make money. Some make money in shitty ways, others in better ways, but none of them care about you beyond keeping you satisfied enough so you keep giving them money. Assigning morality to corporate entities and backing them like sports teams is one of the dumbest things people do.

[iTechHeads]

They are not capable of entering the VR market, I mean they are barely competitive in the 'regular' console market and that's with constant free games and price cuts. They will wait for next-gen to jump in.

[kstuffs]

Their "VR" solution is already more advanced than any VR available today. They will use the technology of HoloLens to develop the best VR available in the market. Coming 2017. Even Sony's second gen won't stand a chance.

[iTechHeads]

lol isn't HoloLens AR? That's more of a work-related technology, not really suited for console gaming. It's hella expensive too. $3000. Not much of a "VR" solution is it?

[welly300]

Price is the biggest problem for vr more competition is a good thing.

[XXanderXX]

They may not be Saints , but do look forward to their VR /W10 partnership deal and buying one .

[s45gr32]

Wait I am confused in regards to Microsoft offering open standards and letting multiple vendors to make VR headsets for Windows 10. On the other hand Windows Store is closed platform not open standard 😕

[TankCrossing]

Windows Store is a distribution platform. The UWP apps you associate with it are open for any dev and distributor to create and sell, that tech is not closed or locked in any way. Major PC game devs just haven't chosen to use it (yet).

[s45gr32]

There is no mod support for Windows Store nor able to refund games

[TankCrossing]

It's quite restrictive, but that's not the same as a closed standard. If they stopped the distribution of 32bit executables and blocked out Steam and other competing platforms then it'd be a closed platform, but as it stands it is just an option.