Will the Xbox Series X support virtual reality (VR)?

http://bit.ly/387meHt

Best answer: Sadly, no. Right now, there are no plans to include VR on the Xbox Series X.

PlayStation alternative: PlayStation VR bundle ($590 at Amazon)
PC alternative: Samsung HMD Odyssey+ ($293 at Amazon)

So, uh, why not?

Considering Microsoft has its very own VR platform in the form of Windows Mixed Reality, you'd think VR would be a no-brainer on the Xbox platform, including the next-gen Xbox Series X. Sadly, it simply isn't the case for a variety of reasons.

First and foremost, Microsoft isn't convinced there's a profitable market for VR as of yet, with attach-rates on the PlayStation VR headset, perhaps the cheapest entry point for the medium remains invariably low. Here's what NPD analyst Mat Piscatella had to say on the topic recently.

The data suggest that Phil Spencer is spot on with his assessment of VR gaming. Perhaps someday this market can develop, but it's been years and the overwhelming majority of games consumers just don't care. Rounding error of rounding error for games spending, tiny niche.
— Mat Piscatella (@MatPiscatella) November 26, 2019

Xbox head Phil Spencer elaborated further on the 1000th episode of GamerTag Radio (which is awesome by the way), offering some more details on the reasons why Microsoft isn't jumping head-first into VR for Xbox Series X.

"We're not going to do that. I understand certain people would want that. We have to focus our efforts on the things we're doing right now. And the most precious resource that we have is the team and their ability. And I just have to focus on the things we're doing right now. [...] VR is not as simple as plugging your headset. You have to redo the dash[board]. There's a bunch of work that goes into it. And the teams at Valve, the teams at Sony, the teams at Oculus that are doing that work. They know the completeness and what it means to support the platform."

Spencer remains optimistic about VR, however, going on to suggest that one day, perhaps it could be a "no-brainer" to bring it to Xbox.

"Obviously VR is big on Windows today. We are the Windows company, and we're never going to close our eyes to where things are going. [...] I hope it gets bigger. I hope it's something that's just so important that there would be a no-brainer for us to support it."

At the very least, it looks like we're not getting VR on Xbox Series X or any other Xbox for that matter, at least in the near-term.

Our pick

PlayStation VR

$590 at Amazon

Cheapest point of entry

If you don't already own a VR-capable PC, the PS4 is the cheapest point of entry to VR gaming.

Mixed reality alternative

Samsung Odyssey+

$229 at Samsung

WMR, SteamVR, great VR

This is the most accessible headset on PC without descending into discomfort and budget-quality, and has access to all Steam VR games.

Source: http://bit.ly/2VtHep3

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