VR May Be A Defining Feature For PS5, But Probably Not For the Next Xbox, Says Dev

"For Microsoft, it's hard to tell, because they seem to ignoring VR a bit this last generation," says Mind Labyrinth VR Dreams dev.

[Skull521]

VR still has a long long way to go. I’d wait too until it is ready before implementation. Though if people want to beta test VR for the next few years I see no issue in offering that option for them.

[DarkVoyager]

Enjoy being left out then. I’m sure you’re use to that with Xbox.

[Skull521]

Played every iteration of VR available, every one left me with the conclusion it still isn't where it needs to be. Fun to try, pointless to own.

[giovanealex]

Dude, chill. Playstation VR is not your girlfriend.

[Clark88]

@Skull
"Played every iteration of VR available, every one left me with the conclusion it still isn't where it needs to be. Fun to try, pointless to own."

For some odd reason I don't believe you

[mcstorm]

@dark love comments like yours most gamers are not interested in VR and will not be unless developers make it standard. How many AAA ips have full VR even GTS has not got it.

VR is great for some types of games and apps but it dose not work for everything and not eveyone wants to put a headset on to play a game. I want to be able to do other things when playing games and also relax on my sofa.

VR and AR are still in the early stages of development but VR is slowing down esp game front so it will be intresting to see if Sony push VR as standard or an addon next gen.

[Mystogan]

I don't have a PSVR, but I do have a Windows Mixed Reality headset that plays most if not all Steam and Oculus games. And trust me when I say there's really nothing you're being left out of. None of the games are killer apps.

Microsoft can afford to wait on this one.
If VR happens to really blow up nextgen, Microsoft can respond very quickly, they already have their WMR program that includes various headsets at a cheaper price and better quality than PSVR,
They can very quickly enable compatibility for Xbox and you would be able to use any WMR headset. I'd say they could enable it in a year if they want to. and that's not even considering the fact that they were already working on it for Xbox One X as well. So it would really be a non-issue for them to enable it.

[IRetrouk]

Its well out of beta, the thing works, just improvements from here on out, im excited to see what they can do with a newer more powerfull model and hardware to run off, vr is where gaming goes next, not subscriptions and services.

[rainslacker]

I think it'll be important to maintain the current PSVR with new system hardware. VR is kind of a steep entry point, and while people were willing to jump in this gen, it's hard to say that they'll be willing to buy into something new right away, if ever.

Improve on what's available with new hardware, but keep it compatible. Kind of like a mid-gen. Technically speaking, there is really no reason why input methods can't remain similar, and its really just graphics and display tech that just gets better with system upgrades. The PSVR is capable of displaying better graphics, it's just the systems themselves can't produce it for games. As far as input, new devices should be made for newer games, but older hardware can still be viable. Gotta be careful about making exclusive input devices for the individual games, but ultimately, that will likely have to happen as well.

[IRetrouk]

I agree that the older headset should be supported, especially at launch, but at the same time i want a v2 running on a ps5, i dont think sony is gonna drop it, and bc for atleast ps4 games is a given so id say there is a good chance, either way, ill be there supporting it, been some fantastic games released lately for the psvr and hope it continues.

[andibandit]

Yeah well, remember seeing VR in 1995?

Problems then were,
Price
Movement in VR
Graphics below peer stuff
Cables

fast forward 23 years....hmm

[ApocalypseShadow]

Is that you Phil? You got burned Skull. The tech works now.

The problem is that MS, with all that "high fidelity talk," then backing out, doesn't help them with support. They basically lied and didn't live up to their promises of VR and fallout.

And, on PC, they didn't even make the WMR headsets. They let other companies do so. So, the easy thing would be to provide games like porting mainline Forza to it. Or an older Halo game. But nope. They can't even be invested enough to even do that.

If they were not going to make their own hardware and software, and just piggyback off of Steam releases, what was the point of WMR headsets anyway? To undercut? To get developers to use windows tools? Just lazy with all that money they have.

Next Gen, who's going to support them if they did add VR? They're not promoting it this Gen to the Xbox base to get them ready. So the base acts like VR is no good. It's a shame kinect burned a lot of gamers. But it was their own fault for not putting effort in making games for that to be relevant too. Same with Xbox one.

[Imalwaysright]

Lazy or smart from a business perspective? I think that smart is the answear. They were all in with Kinect that proved to be much more successful than VR if we compare time periods and still the tech went the way of the dodo. They saw that motion controllers didn't last long in this industry. Is there even an eyetoy for the PS4? If there is I didn't even know.

Gamers are creatures of habit and hardware related innovations don't tend to do well in this industry. PSVR sold 3 million units and apparently sold more than all other VR devices combined. This shows that gamers aren't that interested in VR right now. It shows that VR has got a long way to reach mainstream status if it gets there at all. You say that MS aren't invested enough and I ask you: why would they be?

[ApocalypseShadow]

Name the hot games Microsoft made for kinect? If all you got is dancing and exercising, that's ridiculous. WMR is on PC. There are like 5 headsets. What games did they make for that that are special? Nothing. What are they making that's special besides forza on Xbox one? Where are the new IPs?

That's lack of investment being that they have more money than nintendo and Sony combined. You call that effort? You call that smart business by backing away? No. That's lack of investment. That's lazy. Microsoft continues to look at avenues of least effort for maximum profit. That's why they keep losing. No effort.

Probably the real reason xbox one x didn't get vr is because it's not selling like they want you to believe. And games would look and run worse on base xbox one. That's just a fail all around.

[Imalwaysright]

So you weren't able to give a single reason as to why they should invest in VR. I wonder why... Oh well, I guess it's just easier to say that they are lazy.

[rainslacker]

@Iam

What's so smart about it? They were going to allow the 3rd party headset makers to work the hardware out, so all MS had to do was invest in the API's to make VR work on the system. Something they were already working on.

MS backed out because they don't see it as really that important right now, and while i do agree that VR isn't going to make or break a console, the longer they wait, the harder it will be for them to break into the market, and it may come at a time where allowing 3rd parties to do it isn't going to be that beneficial to them.

The sales of VR right now are more likely due to the cost of entry than the actual desire to own it. It's also a bit cumbersome for the time being, so the tech does have some growing pains to work out. But three million for a new tech which has historically always faced trouble is pretty good, and for the first time in history, we are seeing a large push towards VR from many angles, all with the combined desire to make it a viable future. That more than anything is going to make it succeed.

We're also seeing a lot of developer support for VR, which even surprises me, and what's more important is that those who own VR headsets, are actually buying games for it. PSVR has a rather sizable attach rate, and that means that it will continue to get support. When the install base gets big enough to support bigger games, we'll see bigger games.

As to why they should invest?

Well, they are investing it it. They're making a DX API extension which supports VR. They aren't investing in the tech.

But look at it in the long term. They may not have to invest in the hardware, because right now, we don't really need another hardware solution. But they should at least be making themselves available to use the tech on their console. VR is eventually going to become something that enough people will want that not having it available on the system could make people not consider the system. The longer MS waits to provide a VR solution on their console, the less notice they're going to get when they finally decide to do something with it. When you let your competitors become entrenched in the market, it makes it harder to get into that market.

[ApocalypseShadow]

Imalwaysright,

There are companies investing in VR in the medical field, construction field, real estate field, job instruction, product purchasing,education, entertainment, porn, automotive, science, art, etc, etc besides gaming.

You telling me that Microsoft wouldn't want to be seen as the leader in VR, to promote themselves in those areas and have windows software powering those vr headsets?

Is billions of dollars in future products and services worth their investing in VR? Is it not easy for you to see? All you have to do is google search any of those areas I mentioned and you will see it's worth the effort. And not wait until someone else make VR a standard feature.

[xX-oldboy-Xx]

Imalwaysright - Maybe people are reluctant to support/but VR because of the failure and broken promises of KINECT. It was a disaster from reveal to release. Full of lies and fake presentations.

VR works and is only going to get better. I couldn't care less about MS supporting it and neither should people who buy their consoles. I'd only be asking for new ips, and for them to move away subscription based services as the core of their business strategy moving forward.

[Imalwaysright]

slacker

Does it really need to be explained why? Haven't I said enough in my original comment? Does VR have wide appeal? Nope. Do hardware innovations tend to do well in the gaming industry? Nope. Are gamers creatures of habit? Yep. Would it be smart for MS to spend millions in R&D, production costs and advertisement for a tech that none of us can say as of right now will have a future in this industry? Nope so why do it now? What would be so smart in spending millions or even billions in a tech that might not have a future?

Apocalypse Shadow

Nothing to do with gaming? Ok... Btw I doubt that a VR device designed to be affordable by masses will help some of the fields that you mentioned expecially the medical field and IF some of those fields start demanding VR in the future MS can easily put their own VR device in the market. I mean as you said they have the money to do it don't they?

[Imalwaysright]

xX-oldboy-Xx

If you were here in those days you would definitely see me criticizing Kinect. I called it Mr gimmick and I agree that underhanded business practices namely false advertising were used to promote the device. Having said that, Kinect isn't the only hardware innovation that failed in the gaming industry and this has been going on for decades. I remember the power glove, the virtual boy, the eyetoy and other devices that were failures so I'm not sure if Mr gimmick is the reason why VR doesn't have wide appeal.

What I do know is what has been proven to work in this industry. As an example look at what Sony did with the PS1 all the way to the PS4. Console gamers want a controller, great games and be confortable while playing a game. We are creatures of habit and most gamers are adults. When gamers get off work I don't really see the vast majority of them wanting to put a "helmet" on their heads and get sick while playing a game.

[ApocalypseShadow]

imalwaysright, obviously you didn't care to look and are now just talking.

https://www.techrepublic.co...
https://medium.com/@AltairV...
https://uploadvr.com/health...
https://vrtodaymagazine.com...

took me all but 2 minutes to google it and post these links as an EXAMPLE of vr in the medical field. you can deny it all you want. you can even decide for yourself that it's not for YOU. doesn't mean vr is not slowly integrating itself into our society just as AR will. but keep allowing yourself to be fooled because microsoft decided to wait while everyone else is pushing forward. as a simulation technology before hands on experience, the millions in dollars saved is ridiculous. and the amount of space is also a plus when prototyping before actually building something. you can even enter the space and make changes before a proposal is made. architecture will also benefit.

keep being oblivious to the obvious of what's happening slowly but steady. this is not 3dtv. not even close. and you say nothing to do with gaming when there are dozens of companies doing gaming in vr. arcades popping up that give you the pc room scale experience. the new oculus quest that comes out next year will be wireless, promotes gaming and you can be anywhere in the world but play together like you are doing now with flat gaming.
https://www.youtube.com/wat...

[sampsonon]

@Imalwaysright: here is that single reason to own a psvr https://www.youtube.com/wat...
4v4 rainbow siege style game that is mind blowing because it's movement is free and, like i said, rainbow siege inspired combat..... it's on another level because you can never get the thrill in any normal fps.

this is the best fps out period.

system seller for sure

[Imalwaysright]

The only one fooling himself around here is you. MS is not missing anything right now. Not when VR is selling like molasses. VR is NOT successful. It might be in the future and if it happens then MS could and should get a piece of the pie. MS are not lazy. They just aren't interested in the tech right now because so far is a commercial FAILURE with 0 guarantees that it will as you say be widely adopted by society.

sampsonom

Yeah... no. I'll take Bloodborne, Persona 5, Horizon, GoW or Spider man over that game any day of the week.

[rainslacker]

Seems ready enough for me now. There are things that can be improved upon, but on a technical level, it works just fine for what its trying to do right now.

And sure, we'll beta test it now, and give our feedback, instead of letting others do the work and waiting for it to become mainstream. MS is happy to wait, so they can struggle to get adoption when the time comes that its actually desirable and something that could be a deciding factor on which console to get.

[Realms]

You can down play VR all you want, all it will take is a killer app to convince many gamers hell a game like astro boy is clearly moving the pendulum towards that eventuality. MS is getting left behind and Sony is covering their six's by getting ahead. Mario 64 broke the mold with 3D gaming I suspect eventually a talented enough game developer will do the same with VR.

[Mystogan]

I don't have a PSVR, but I do have a Windows Mixed Reality headset that plays most if not all Steam and Oculus games. And trust me when I say there's really nothing you're being left out of. None of the games are killer apps.

Microsoft can afford to wait on this one.
If VR happens to really blow up nextgen, Microsoft can respond very quickly, they already have their WMR program that includes various headsets at a cheaper price and better quality than PSVR,
They can very quickly enable compatibility for Xbox and you would be able to use any WMR headset. I'd say they could enable it in a year if they want to. and that's not even considering the fact that they were already working on it for Xbox One X as well. So it would really be a non-issue for them to enable it

[sampsonon]

actually, this game https://www.youtube.com/wat... is the best FPS out right now. simply amazing, and it's so smooth i don't feel any motion sickness at all.

people are missing out on this gem.
too bad

[crazyCoconuts]

If (articleTitle.contains("m ay")||articleTitle.contain s("probably")||articl eTitle.contains("says dev")) applyGamingBoltFilter()

[ludicrous]

Lol 🤩

[Eonjay]

Read my mind. Can we please at least get a Gamingbolt article flag.
Bad Editing - Gamingbolt article.

[Jinger]

I do hope Sony continues to support VR. I hope they'll have a PS5/PSVR2 bundle at launch.

[Mr_Writer85]

I think PSVR 2 will be a year or two away, but I'm willing to bet the PS5 will beef up the current headset, and 2.0 will be quality of life improvements (less wires, better tracking, smaller and lighter headset ect)

I can see it being a Pro kind of deal, all PSVR games work on any PSVR headset, but 2.0 is better and has advantages.

The worst move they can make is make games only work with 2.0, or not have your PS4 VR games and headset work on PS5.

[rainslacker]

Realistically speaking, unless they make a dramatic change to the input API's, changes to the hardware itself shouldn't really make the current PSVR obsolete. Even changing the lights to some other form of tracking method, the input code can still be translated to be the same thing.

The displays themselves are just that....displays, so making them better would actually improve current games appearance through the removal of hatching, and possibly just better displays all around. Output from newer games should be able to be displayed on the current display as well, but it may not look as good. PSVR can display better visuals than we see in its games. Just go watch some YouTube 3DVR video and you can see things that look lifelike...albeit with hatching. 3D movies look really good on it, although I wouldn't care to really watch them that often.

[sampsonon]

"lighter headset "

it's really light already. I've never taken it off because it was too heavy, and i play Firewall Zero Hour for hrs at a time.

[Mr_Writer85]

@sampson

I never said it does get heavy, but that doesn't mean it can't be made lighter.

[KwietStorm_BLM]

I'm sure it will be improved because the machine itself will he more powerful but I really hope VR is not what they focus on with PS5.

[Kribwalker]

i hope straight VR is not a main focus of any console maker. Make it an option, because i know i’m not in for VR. Just something that doesn’t interest me, and it doesn’t seem to interest the vast majority of PS4 owners as the current attach rate is like 4% of the user base (3 million PSVR vs 86 million PS4)

[Silly gameAr]

We already know VR is going to be an option and not a main focus. I doubt Sony would do something like adding mandatory VR to every ps5 sold or something like.

[Imalwaysright]

It won't be. You just need to see how "regular" games like Horizon, Spider man or GoW are doing compared to VR games.

[Latex74]

The games you speak of can not be compared to vr games that are out . but there are some great vr games out at the moment

[Imalwaysright]

ZXCPCA500 You just need to know which games everyone is talking about to know that gamers care much more for "regular" games than VR games.

[rainslacker]

It won't be a focus on the PS5. that would likely mean driving up the cost of the system significantly, and as of right now, I'd call VR pretty niche.

[Skankinruby]

As long as they continue to make vr optional and not force it down consumers throats like xbox did with kinect it should be fine. Next gen just make obvious improvements like a wireless headset and maybe a less bulky one with more dedicated games and vr should have a decent future. I don't ever touch my headset anymore but glad I supported the tech and hope it survives.

[rainslacker]

I just want it to be more convienant to use. I'd play on it so much more if it wasn't such a chore to get it set up. Otherwise, it works fine once I get going.

[ibrake4naps]

I just turn mine on and go!

[rainslacker]

I sit far enough away from the TV, that it doesn't work without being out of the play area....despite all tracking working fine otherwise.

So I have to move the camera onto a tripod, and sometimes set up the tracking position.

Once its set up, it works fine.

[Dom_Estos]

Do you get out of your bed every day, put your trousers on, brush your teeth etc? If so, that's more of a chore than hitting a switch and placing the hmd on your head.

[rainslacker]

Maybe Dom. But to use my PSVR, I either have to move a chair within the play zone, or move the camera onto a tripod, which I don't leave sitting in the middle of my living room. Since the camera is not in a set position due to this moving, I also have to set up the tracking more often than not.

It's not hard to do all that stuff. Just not as simple as just putting on the helmet and playing. Can take a good 5-10 minutes to really get everything going.

I'm not saying the device is bad. It works great when i'm using it. Just that it could use a few refinements to make it a little more user friendly. Other than that, I'm a pretty staunch support of VR, and a regular user of PSVR. I'd just be more regular if it didn't require me to set it up every time because I have the luxury of having a standard size living room which is 12', of which, I sit maybe 11 feet from the TV.

[subtenko]

no duh, xbox always on that bs. Remember all they could talk about was crossplay. dagon work on your gaming experience!

[zombiewombie]

VR will only get better. Im anxiously waiting for those valve knuckles. Those will be game changers.

[Latex74]

Me too love my vr

[C-H-E-F]

psvr just hit playstation1 status, can't wait to see it when we are at psvr4, I will be supporting each iteration.

[Thundercat77]

It is not like Microsoft is ignoring VR. More like they cannot handle VR due to their current problems in the market like... the smallest user base, no strong presence outside the US, no exclusive games.

They cannot even think of VR until they attend those problems.

[sazselesbon]

Yeah! Bundle it with every PS5 to ensure an homogeneous player base and it will take off from shelves! Look atXbox one plus kinect!

[xRacer74x]

No loss to me. I dont really enjoy playing games with a headset on and the games I play are long game session games no games like short sit down and move on games.

[SegaGamer]

I'm similar. I like VR, but I like it in small doses. It's not something I will want to use for a long gaming session, maybe an hour, but not much longer. VR also takes a lot more concentration too, I just like sitting at pc desk / sofa and relax, you can't really do that with VR. I also tend to multi task when playing games, and you can't do that with VR. I also find VR sets to be uncomfortable after extended periods. It's heavy on the head, especially just above the eyes.

[ibrake4naps]

VR is amazingly immersive and a must for me next gen!

[spambot0815]

good, because regualr games just ain't doing it anymore once you get into vr and conveniece and technical handicaps are only a matter of time befor they're solved.

[ARESWARLORD]

I have two PlayStations and I have no interest in VR. rather play on the big screen all day long

[Dom_Estos]

See your "big screen", compared to being in VR, your 'big screen' is like looking at a postage stamp or a window on the other side of your room, where everything is flat, and things are tiny. In VR, scale is real world, depth is binocular like your actual vision, and everything is around you in full 3d. You are inside the game. Literally. Keep playing on your big flat screen, mate. Fair play.

[ibrake4naps]

enjoy your pancake games! VR puts you in it, feels good getting up in there. Try it, just the tip. So good!

[Phoenix76]

Roll on Borderlands 2 VR due out next month

[GNCFLYER]

They don't really contribute to moving forward. They'll write a check when and if the time is appropriate.

[nismo370]

Gamingbolt = lol

[TheGamingArt]

I hope not

[Profchaos]

Loving my psvr I'd welcome a new iteration.

[Retroman]

Hope VR is not the main core function of ps5
if so I rather have the Non-version model ps5
not into VR.

[sampsonon]

Ok, I'm going to set the record straight when it comes to psvr.
If you've never tried Firewall Zero Hour, you've never really tried vr.
https://www.youtube.com/wat...

stop talking about it not being ready now and that you'll wait for it to be better in the future.... the future is now because this game is a system seller, and is better experience that any fps out to date.

come to me with your bull Sh-t. i know you never played it if you do.

[andibandit]

5000 views in 2 months, that video is like a wildfire.

[sampsonon]

so that decides if a game is good? it's vr dummy, so of course it wouldn't have a large amount of views. that has nothing to do with how great the game is to play, but you wouldn't know because you've never played it.

i predicted someone would bring bull Sh-t, and you just happened to be the first. congrats :)

[andibandit]

Never said the game was no good.

[wtf0]

Imagine if the next Xbox's defining feature was games.