VR is not a focus on Xbox Scarlett and Xbox fans aren't interested according to Phil Spencer!

VR will not play a significant role on Project Scarlett, the boss of Xbox has indicated.

Xbox chief Phil Spencer told Stevivor in a recent interview that Xbox customers simply are not asking for VR. But it also sounds like Spencer doesn't fancy VR himself, either.

"I have some issues with VR," he said. "It's isolating and I think of games as a communal, kind of together experience. We're responding to what our customers are asking for and... nobody's asking for VR.

"The vast majority of our customers know if they want a VR experience, there's places to go get those. We see the volumes of those on PC and other places."

Spencer also admitted there's not much money to be made from VR. "Nobody's selling millions and millions" of VR units, he said. "I think we might get there [eventually]. But yeah, that's not where our focus is."

Link: Eurogamer: Phil Spencer: VR not a focus for Project Scarlett because Xbox fans aren't asking for it

Judging by most of SW users here, I don't think I ever seen any (if ever) Xbox fans asking for VR if I'm being honest. I personally think there is a big future for VR despite I own PSVR but even I can say I only use it when I'm in the mood. Our gaming experience is going to drastically change in the future and VR will be a part of that once the tech gets to be more mature enough. I'm more surprise Xbox Scarlett won't include 3rd-party VR headset support. Would be kinda cool to see how a big title like Half-Life: Alyx will run on a console such as Xbox Scarlett.

As for Sony, I still want them to support VR going forward with PS5 and remember, VR has to start somewhere, it's going to take time until it fully matures.

VR is something that can be implemented after the fact for any of the next gen consoles. so I don't see this as a negative. When you consider the market for VR is still small, I can understand their hesitation but they can definitely consider adding support later.

I'm surprised to, X1X had VR support, I think MS just couldn't get there headsets working the way they wanted for the X1X or Scarlett. "Wireless and cheap" Spencer said.

I'm hoping Alyx comes to psvr like the orange box came to consoles. PSVR on the ps5 is going to be great, especially since the PS4 pro can't take full advantage of the headsets.

@Pedro: you don’t see ms not entering the vr headspace as a negative because you’re a giant lem. MS ain’t entering cause they know they can’t compete.

They’re only going for guaranteed revenue and are scared to get burned by anything outside their little comfort zone.

I wonder though how expensive it would be to make the Scarlett compatible with current VR tech though? The investment may not be worth it since they don't own any proprietary technology and the rather lackluster VR video game sales may not cover the features implementation. Truth be told, even my Xbox pals ain't talking about VR despite most of my friends own PS4.

I don't mind not having VR for Xbox Scarelett even though I want it to happen. But however, good job to focus on the important things first for Xbox Scarlett such as games.

I'm totally fine with Microsoft giving the console VR market all to Sony.

VR is crap but xbox one sucks and this is just more suckage less games for fans of the hardware

Even if few people eventually bought the kit, the potential of getting onboard with VR down the line did, I think, sell systems in the end. I don't know. To me, at least, it's still exciting tech and I think it's wise to never say never- especially with Valve now giving VR a proper go.

Xbox gamers desperately wanted games for their game console and after how many years in the job Spencer has completely failed to deliver, instead dumping their tiny exclusive library on PC and working on live services and backwards compatibility.

He now has Rare and Obsidian working on indie quality garbage as filler content for Game Pass. Who the f*** would listen to a single word he says.

We are all totally amazed and surprised that this moron is not looking at emerging technologies as they go into the next gen. They are already so far behind Sony and Nintendo (with their hilarious junk hardware) it hardly even matters at this point.

AR was always a better technology. Isn’t it better understood?? Anyways, I think Microsoft understands the issue here. If anything, AR is where to start.

Yeah, but you enjoyed Death Stranding. All due respect, but it's probably worth acknowledging your tastes are kinda "niche"

Shouldn't games be the place to start on a games console? Is that you Phil?

@blueinheaven: lol. I’ve never been an x-box fanboy. Just saying that if need be, AR would be a good jumping point before going fully into VR. That’s all.

Yeah because that's the only game I've played, right?

Bloodborne, AC Odyssey, DA Inquisition (my game of the gen actually), God of War, Halo 4, Trails of Cold Steel Trilogy, Witcher 3, Far Cry New Dawn, Rage 2, ... just randomly rattling off some of the games I love none of them even faintly similar to Death Stranding and all as mainstream as mainstream can be.

What have you played? I'm looking forward to a huge blank space here or a love letter to MS's hilariously bad catalogue of games this gen.

Go ahead we're all waiting.

He's rubbishing the entire concept, basically defending why they haven't even looked into it and using Xbox gamers as his defence. He's repugnant and you can bet your life he doesn't even know what the difference between VR and AR is. This is the man who said in a Gamespot interview he couldn't understand why gamers wanted to play at 60fps.

Shh, shh.... calm down. I'm just suggesting that VR porn might not be everyone else's obsession.

Read my first comment, understand my position and admit your "I've got more games than you" remark is hopelessly irrelevant and laughable.

Well I know that I’m not interested in VR so Microsoft not making it a focus of Scarlett suits me just fine.

They should open next gen to 3rd party VR sets.

Who mentioned VR Porn? Oh, that was you. Who said I have more games than you? Oh, that was you. Projecting much?

Death Stranding isn't the only game I've played so to describe my tastes as niche based on one game is just spectacularly stupid. Fitting then, that the comment came from you.

1) You mentioned VR porn, in the past, on your other account (I'm guessing of course, but it was an equally petty and dull-witted account).

2) You pointed to number of mainstream games played this gen as an indicator of taste.

But yes, I agree I'm projecting. I wish, oh wish I had blown my wad all over a PSVR kit, like you.

I don't have PSVR and don't want it. This is my only account, ask the mods (you have my permission).

You've become unhinged Pedro.

;) Your secret is safe with me, "blueinheaven".

I was already planning switching to xbox from playstation for my main living room console and this pretty much solidifies that for me.

I have 0 interest in VR such a waste of resources, I mean was anyone stoked about getting concrete genie over an actual new IP? I know concrete genie counts as a new IP, but I would have rather gotten a new non vr game, its so gimmicky

@blueinheaven: In Phil's defense. He's just playing "the wait & see" were VR is heading cause it's a slow process for investors but nevertheless, MS learned from their own mistakes, such as Kinect. Accessories are fun for some, but I think we all can agree that first and foremost, MS needs to focus on making Xbox Scarlett an all out gamer machine, no unnecessary TV, TV, TV, HDMI in, VR, motion controls, light bars. Xbox gamers just want awesome games at an awesome value as a priority is what Phil is saying. 3rd-party VR support would be a future update I can see that happening which will cost even less for MS.

Well finally something i can agree with Phil on.

VR is for people who get bored with normal gaming (casuals) who need new gimmicks to keep them entertained, once VR fizzles out i wonder what they will do then?

I know what you're saying but they never sold Kinect as an accessory they tried to force it on people because that's what Microsoft do. Our way or f*** off basically. Sony sold the PSVR as a completely optional accessory and seem to have had some success with it.

I had one for a while and hated it. It has to be wireless and need literally one connection for me to have anything to do with it and also inbuilt headphones it's a LONG way off for me and it put me off looking at better options on the PC.

Phil saying Xbox gamers just want awesome games is the funniest thing I've read in a long time. Is he now on the verge of finally working out what his job description means?

Anyway, even a high end PC is some way off making VR an attractive proposition but at least Sony are in the game. They need the next one to be wireless or just don't bother. MS meanwhile are nowhere to be seen as usual which seems to be their permanent place in the great scheme of things these days.

@blueinheaven: i think its a good move to wait it out, xbox really screwed themselves beginning of this gen and never fully recovered, hell I was an avid 360 gamer and went ps4 switch for my home consoles, however game pass has been thier salvation in the later half this gen and also releasing thier service across PC as well.

In phils defense I think he does know where they fucked up hence why they started buying up game studios to make them new IP's.

They seem to be on the right track going into next gen, a beefy console with game pass with cross saves for Xbox/PC and fresh new IPs from the aquired studios. Thats all I really want to see.

Next gen is going to be interesting, imo sony has gotten complicent this gen, I'm rooting for microsoft to pull it back from under them.

It's good for the industry.

@pdogg93:

It's still relatively new (in a decent consumer sense,) so I see where he's coming from. Diluting your talent and funds between providing AAA console experiences, and the AAA VR experiences people with VR may want, is probably a tough boat to balance.

There is no doubt we are moving toward VR, far more than the garbage 3D TV we endured prior, but the market is relatively fresh, and people like myself just aren't ready to plop down close to a grand for the experience.

VR might be cool at a place like Dave n Bustards/Arcade. Just a huge waste for consoles, along with health concerns/safety issues for home consumer use.

Mehh seems awfully shortsighted, VR might not be going mainstream the next couple of years, but it’s definitely starting to take off. And just seems silly that Xbox don’t want to be a part of that and once the train has left the station I would imagine it’s hard to board it again..

Too bad VR is actually really cool. I believe VR will be a great piece of gaming content later but for now its only a showpiece that I used to entertain guests. Ran out of good game to play on PSVR, they just dont make enough.

What are your thoughts on Trails of Cold Steel? I've been eyeing that game for a while now and it looks cool but haven't jumped the gun yet.

As for the topic; I personally don't care for VR at the moment and have never tried it. If anything, I am interested in seeing how Playstation moves forward with PSVR for the Playstation 5 as I would be willing to give VR a go next year or so.

I agree, they should have a contingency plan in place at least, even if they're not making it a selling point at launch. Personally I would be advertising at least the intention of upcoming support and maybe even be looking into some third party deals, as Davillain suggested.

I mean, why wouldn't you?

Good old MS. I see the act of shooting themselves in the foot before the new gen begins has become a business model.

No they want you to play mediocre indie trash for 2 dollars.

Cute seeing some people ignoring the fact that 1% of PS gamers bought the PSVR yet acting as if VR is the next big thing on consoles. LOL

Not having VR is smart as Sony's PSVR has failed miserably (less than a 5% attach rate even after multiple price cuts) and you being a cow thinks that MS couldn't do better, but yeah shooting themselves in the foot.

So its a smart business model to not have VR as Sony doesn't even support its PSVR properly as not all of its first party devs have made games for it and its been out for over 3yrs.

This post of yours is proof that VR fries your brain, that's assuming you had one to begin with :)

So, Phil, you don't want for your Xbox community to have different experience.

Thank you Sony for Astro Bot, Thumper, RE7, Tetris Effect and so on...

Support it to grow it, DUMB PHIL!

Oh Phil, sure VR isn't for the masses, but as much as your company was talking it up only when Sony was about to introduce PSVR, you're gonna turn tail now? At least leave an option for people to try it and have Scarlet VR enabled. They don't have to make a VR set specifically for Xbox, just make it compatible for the WMR kits they make and the other devices currently on the market.

That way, they can at least let third party VR games on the platform. It seems like I always have to help Phil with his job. Gimme a check, Microsoft!

Yup, definitely not a cow and totally part of 'us' PC gamers.

Hey, @blueinheaven, I think we can hook you up with a new headset. It's going to be a bit of a trek for the pickup, mind.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-50571010

VR is not new.

It has limited gaming applications.

It makes about 20% of the public ill.

It is not a great fit for family gaming.

Like all gimmicks this will pass.

Change my mind.

@BenjaminBanklin: Lol. Remember how much MS was in love with VR before the X1X released? What happened to all those "high-fidelity VR experiences" they promised?

as a Xbox user I have zero interest in VR, as a Playstation user I have zero interest in VR.

I was disappointed with PSVR and the Rift. I doubt the next generation will have the ability to simulate realistic VR worlds with an intuitive control system.

Even if VR comes to Xbox Scarlet, I won't be getting one, VR makes be sick, feeling nauseating. Apparently almost 25%feel nauseous using a VR set only minutes of using one. I think Phil made a proper decision.

VR is still an extremely small market, so it's a logical decision by Microsoft.

PSVR had 0 killer-app titles, the majority of Rift/Vive games aren't that good. There is just one (potentially) good VR exclusive title in the development; that new Half-Life game.

They already have a contingency plan. WMR is their VR platform and they are more interested in eco system rather than putting the hardware out or at least initially. Who knows if they also have a hardware in the works as well like Surface. But for now they delegated it to third parties.

Committing to VR on Xbox as a console can dilute their resources and talent because if you put it out you have to dedicate resources to it and support it. Xbox may miss out on it but MS as a company for sure is not neglecting it. It's the next frontier and all companies are investing in it.