E3 2018: Microsoft Has No Plans to Bring Virtual Reality or Mixed Reality to Xbox

Virtual reality and mixed reality gaming mostly took a backseat at E3 2018, with the big three console makers focusing on traditional games. And while Sony is still supporting its PSVR headset on PlayStation 4, Microsoft apparently has no interest in releasing a competing headset for Xbox.

"We don't have any plans specific to Xbox consoles in virtual reality or mixed reality," Microsoft Chief Marketing Officer Mike Nichols told GI.biz at E3. "Our perspective on it has been and continues to be that the PC is probably the best platform for more immersive VR and MR. As an open platform, it just allows faster, more rapid iteration. There are plenty of companies investing in it in the hardware side and the content side, or some combination therein.

"Obviously on phones, augmented reality is a good scenario as well that's going to grow. But as it relates to Xbox, no. Our focus is primarily on experiences you would play on your TV, and ultimately we'd like to make those experiences more broadly."

Nichols' mention of "Xbox consoles" could of course refer to the Xbox One S and Xbox One X, but could also apply to Microsoft's future consoles. On that front, Xbox Executive Vice President of Gaming Phil Spencer revealed during E3 that Microsoft is "deep into architecting the next Xbox consoles, where we will once again deliver on our commitment to deliver the benchmark of console gaming."

This next-gen Xbox hardware is rumored to be codenamed Scarlet and allegedly will be released in 2020.

Meanwhile, VR fans did get some encouraging news out of E3 when Bethesda Softworks announced Wolfenstein and Prey VR experiences, while PlayStation debuted Ghost Giant and Trover Saves the Universe for PSVR.