Microsoft Can Afford to Be a Follower Rather Than a Leader for VR, Says Dev

Microsoft can afford to be a follower rather than a leader in the Virtual Reality space, according to the CEO of Schell Games, and that's not necessarily shortsighted.

[KingKionic]

Yea this is true. Microsoft have there ecosystem to let it ride.

VR is still very niche.

No reason to be number one of the pack right now.

[RpgSama]

It seems VR it's not the only place where they can afford to be a follower not a leader.

[RangerWalk267]

They once again have the best hardware and services in the business. How are they "following"?
Don't say exclusives... They just spent more money on developers than Sony has in the bank. The games are in the pipeline.

[RpgSama]

@RangerWalk267

As long as they are last out of 3 in the console race they are following, simple as that.

[Unspoken]

Have you seen Sony cell phones? Yeah, me either. Not a big deal if you are't in the market.

[zeuanimals]

@Unspoken: Sony's Phones actually do well in Asian markets, that's why Sony's still making them, because people are buying them. MS also had a smartphone division. Had.

[rainslacker]

They want devs using their api, but their lack of investment outside their api has made it so the hardware makers are leading the way, and MS is kind of behind the curve on a lot of those things with their DirctX implementation. They have a better footing on the AR side of things, but they're still licensing a lot of tech from other companies to include in dx for that, and the current ar APIs arent well documented.

In reference to the article, yeah, MS has the money to be a leader, but their attempts at it so far aren't really showing they're trying too hard to compete. The longer they let it ride, the more chance someone else becomes more entrenched, and I wouldn't be surprised if other hardware makers join together to make their own multiplatform solution at some point. It's the most obvious way to proceed for the future of VR if it's going to make its way more into the mainstream.

[Atticus_finch]

Xbox series X "You lead, we follow"

[Genkins]

It is a console made by xbox gamers no doubt.

[BLizardXD]

when they made it faster than a RTX 2080 out of the box that was listening to fans.

[NeoGamer232]

From specs it looks like XSX has leading performance GPU, CPU, memory, and storage size.

[Atticus_finch]

@Neo On paper maybe but real world performance will favor the brilliantly design Ps5.

[lelo2play]

The question should be... People that purchased VR kits 1-2 years ago, do they still use the device in a regular basis?

[Neonridr]

you will have some that use it all the time, some that use it once in a while and then those that probably haven't dusted them off in some time. Personally I have owned a VR set since March 2016 (most recently with an Index as of last December) and I can say I use it several times a week.

[porkChop]

I don't use mine as much because I need prescription lenses. For any game where you need to read anything, it just isn't enjoyable because I can't see the text. Butt once I get an updated prescription, I'll get these lenses and use it much more.

[xTonyMontana]

I think you'd be surprised. VR isn't a gimmick, far from it and the technology associated is ever growing. It will never replace traditional gaming or at least it won't for the next two decades but I know I'll still be going back to it multiple times a week.

I'd compare it to owning a Nintendo platform, it won't always be your first choice to go to and you won't be buying new games every week but there is a magic there that isn't available anywhere else and it's just something you want to have on hand as a gamer. I've been this way since the gameboy colour (as a secondary platform) and can totally see myself doing the same with VR for the future.

[specialguest]

It won't hurt MS if they don't support VR at this time. I've been a supporter of VR since the Oculus dev kit days. The VR market is still not big enough at this time to really hurt XSX if they're not involved. The market certainly has a healthy growth especially during the release of HL: Alyx

[StormSnooper]

The only place where they will be hurt by not joining VR, Is in the experience department. While Sony is gaining critical hands on experience making VR games, MS studios will have to start from scratch. Although it’s possible that MS will simply buy studios with experience. All in all, as a VR fan I’m disappointed in MS, but I can see how this strategy works for them.

[343_Guilty_Spark]

Not really

[StormSnooper]

Not really to which part?

[specialguest]

Yeah, XSX owners will miss out on some great VR experiences for sure

[Imalwaysright]

They can hire people with the experience if down the line they do decide to get into the VR market with their own peripheral and games.

[StormSnooper]

Imalwaysright
Yes they can, but the difference will be the same as let’s say Naughty Dogs, versus any Xbox first party studio. These studios, just like any other organization, are more than the sum of their parts. Bringing in talent is very important, but there are other factors than can’t be bought outright.

[xX-oldboy-Xx]

But of ms was involved with their vast amounts of cash it'd get to where it needs to be faster.

There's no easy money in VR and nothing is a given, THAT'S the biggest difference between Sony and ms.

ms struggle to make a decent new ip, they've tried to address that by investing in studios - still no guarantees they'll produce hit games.

VR development is the same thing, you've gotta approach development in a different way. Sony now has 4 or so yrs lead on ms in that area.

ms are going to be caught with their pants down once again, pony up the cash and start investing in an area that will only get bigger as time goes on.

[Abnor_Mal]

No one expecting for Microsoft to come in a be the leader in the VR space, but rather simply have a place in VR.

If they can create such a big ecosystem for their games then why not also add to VR, helping to grow VR to more than where it is at the moment

People like to say that VR is niche, but so was crossplay but they brute forced others to also follow suit. Next will be their model of Gamepass that others may structure their service more like. Seems like MS does want to play since they can't lead the charge, but they can participate and help change the current VR landscape.

As soon as there's a XBox VR system it will be no surprise to see many who decry it as being niche, be the new heralds and we will hear them sing its and Microsoft praises.

[Pickledpepper]

You cant compare cross play to VR, thats like comparing a vacume cleaner to a hair dryer.
With cross play you dont wear a egg box size thing over your face while holding a controller in each hand, waving your arms around while looking around like a kid in a candy shop.

[StormSnooper]

You clearly are not familiar with VR gaming. remember when a lot of older adults talked in the same way about gaming in general? Imitating what kids did holding the controller and making faces to make fun? Yeah.

[Sitdown]

I think he is familiar. VR is an enhanced form of gaming which has been around for years and still not fully adopted. What is video games an enhanced form of? And it's pretty much fully adopted. It will be niche for a while.

[ThinkThink]

MS has invested in VR for Window's PC once that matures, they will bring it to consoles as well. Right now they are focused on their next gen system launch, gamepass and their 1st party output. No point in spreading themselves too thin right now.

[TommyVercetti88]

Just wait when Half Life:Alyx releases for the PS5 and the upcoming VR camera mode in GTA VI.

[Atticus_finch]

You keep mentioning Vr in a the new GTA and at first it didn't seem likely but after thinking about it, it could happen.

[TommyVercetti88]

It's happening

[Ausbo]

It would only release on the psvr2. The current headset just isn’t powerful enough. Even then, we are talking years from now

[LordJamar]

So another 100$ or more for a few VR games

[TommyVercetti88]

@shaggy2303 It's coming just wait till next year.

[RangerWalk267]

Microsoft, HP, and Valve are currently working on a VR headset. So if they decide to get into the market... They would have Valve in their corner. Game over for my cheap PSVR plastic of a headset I own.

[Atticus_finch]

You're assuming PS is not working on a new Psvr, okay bro. So you think valve won't support the Ps5. Lol

[FlyingFoxy]

If you check OCUK forums the people tell you that even first gen PC headsets are better than PSVR, though I've heard people say PSVR is decent.

[LordJamar]

Yeah uh huh I’ll keep waiting and I won’t be holding my breath

[Thundercat77]

Microsoft has not been a leader for a long time and most of the things they are doing is just being a follower so I am not surprised at all.

[Sitdown]

I'll be intrigued to hear some of the things you feel they are following in.

[aconnellan]

Yeah like implementing a robust backward compatibility system during this gen, they really followed Sony on that one.

Or adding first party games to Game Pass on release day, I also remember when Sony added that to their ecosystem before MS.

Getting Series X exclusives on the One for 2 years after release so they support it for longer, I also remember Sony announcing that and MS following.

Just because MS isn’t the leader of the ‘console race’ doesn’t mean they don’t lead in some areas, or that they’re just a follower

[ElementX]

Plus standard hard drives and a robust online service.

[Atticus_finch]

Don't worry Xbots, PS will pave the way, as usual.

[Magog]

Yeah, that worked so well for them with touchscreen smartphones, lol.

[Sitdown]

Actually it did, because they were making nice money with the pocket pc, and they make money of Android, but not need for those facts huh?

[Magog]

They tried and failed to force Windows phone to happen over the course of over a decade and failed miserably. They had to give up. Don't try to spin that into a positive you just look pathetic.

[S2Killinit]

Their failure in that market was the joke of the industry. Its been well documented.

[Sitdown]

Tell me which part is the spin. They had pocket pc with HTC, and they do make money off of Android. What looks pathetic is acting hurt about a company.

[TheHan]

When it comes to VR you’re gonna lose more money then you will making money for a few years. It’s smart for Xbox to let PS take that leap and risk to see if it pans out. My brother ended up buying a PS VR and ended up having buyers remorse do to the games. He hardly touches it now

[xX1NORM1Xx]

VR is awesome and I think Microsoft are doing their fans a disservice by not even offering a cheap but functional VR headset like psvr.

I know Microsoft can be incredibly stupid but I just can't make myself believe they don't have plans for partnering with an already available headset or even making their own in 3-4 years.

Unless they are just admitting defeat to oculus cause let's be honest the quest is amazing value it's cheaper and better than PSVR (when you factor in the console of course) and these new consoles are on track to be at least £500 a pop.

VR is here to stay, it really is as amazing as people say it is but it isn't a replacement for traditional gaming so an add on makes perfect sense to me but Microsoft are being stupid again...

[Sitdown]

What are you taking about? Microsoft already has a partnership, they are saying Xbox fans aren't really asking for it, so they are not pushing for the console space.

[xX1NORM1Xx]

But we are asking for it and when I say partnership I mean allowing a headset not made by Microsoft to be used on Xbox series x if they can't be arsed to make their own.

[RosweeSon]

Yeah with Xbox live subscriptions alone add in game pass subscribers on top yeah they can afford to just release console and let everyone release the games and new experiences

[TheColbertinator]

VR is a waste of time

[S2Killinit]

like reading your comments.

[traumadisaster]

Weird thing my kids and I got a quest over New Years and played it exclusively for 2 months really enjoying it.

but as we got towards feb just stopped one day and realized we missed the natural comfort of TVs and PCs. We grew tired of the eye strain and head strap tightness.

I bought a 100 games and even the $80 link cable. Now we won’t Touch it as we miss our old games that don’t kill our heads. I even bought 4 games over last 2 weeks they wanted before, and they nor I have even tried them. So weird.

[S2Killinit]

Somehow I dont think the same would ever be said about Sony. Its a perception issue I think. People think MS is rich so they get away with things even as their ship sinks an entire generation long. If it was Sony, the doom and gloom would be thick and heavy.

[Sitdown]

Their ship was sinking? Please explain.

[S2Killinit]

If i have to explain to you how badly this generation was both from MS’s perspective and from gamers’ perspective, then you are beyond reaching. For instance, do you remember the FUD when PS3 was behind by 1 million units? How many million is xbox one behind again? Thats what i mean.

[Sitdown]

Oh, so we are mostly talking about consoles sales then? Not actually profits and the other things companies look into. Know the difference between a sinking ship and one that's off course.

[S2Killinit]

If the Xbox One is not a sinking ship as far as consoles go, then I dont know what is. Notice the context in which we are talking? Yeah.

[KillBill]

VR simply has such a very small influence in the gaming world that not partaking in the niche venture will have little to no impact.

[ibrake4naps]

Hope they have it together when the console port of half life alyx is ready

[windblowsagain]

MS has always been a follower. But hey those who shouted for Kinect. What a pos that was.

As for VR. Until it comes with the system or is £50 it won't sell to the masses.

[LordJamar]

Nope not needed right now the most impressive VR game in years is not even made by Sony nor on PSVR, VR is cool but not needed right now. for Xbox it’s niche technology and expensive Microsoft has its Hands in VR And especially AR, Microsoft has made deals with oculus in the past there unlikely to make there own headset and just adapt oculus in the future if needed with series X Microsoft needs to focus on the CORE traditional gaming with there 16 new Studios and trying to come back finally from the disaster that was 2013 last gen and launch this new gen right.