1020°

Phil Spencer: VR will come to Project Scorpio when it doesn’t feel like “demos and experiments”

Stevivor -- Xbox's Phil Spencer weighs in on the state of VR today, and what it will take to introduce the functionality on Project Scorpio.

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Mrveryodd2753d ago

these consoles are going to send me broke ....

GottaBjimmyb2752d ago (Edited 2752d ago )

I love my PSVR, but his statement is neither untrue nor unfounded. If MS is going to wait out the market, they might as well wait out the market. There are certainly possible downsides to waiting, but there are upsides too.

I don't regret a single bit my PSVR purchase, but if I had to choose with my business, I would probably wait it out to, let the market grow and actual build up. Realistically, the market is pretty saturated as is and IMHO, I don't think ANYONE could do too much better than sony/vive. (depending on your price of entry)

I would say this is also a bit of an excuse for being late too though. I would say that part most mostly a planned choice on their behalf though.

GrontB2752d ago (Edited 2752d ago )

As an owner of HTC vive and oculus rift and a huge vr supporter....can't argue with that decision. I have spent over 200 on strictly VR games and many of them feel like demos or a stepping stone to the real experiences and games to come. But I will defend that PSVR is the best attempt yet at full games. Some exciting launch window titles coming to PSVR, hope to get it around the Christmas season!

uptownsoul2752d ago (Edited 2752d ago )

@GottaBjimmb -- "There are certainly possible downsides to waiting, but there are upsides too."

I agree. The upside to jumping in early is: getting in on the ground floor & gaining larger marketshare...The downside to jumping in early is: the risk/failure rate is higher

The upside to waiting is: Less risk & less chance of failure...The downside to waiting is: Missing out on the large marketshare

I think that VR is a perfect microcosm of what Microsoft & Sony do differently in gaming:

Sony jumps out & takes those risks & because of that they have several failed products & IPs that dont sell as well. But on the positive side for Sony, they have a way more diverse library & larger marketshare (both in genre of software and worldwide hardware marketshare)

Microsoft usually holds back & sees if things take off. So they have less failed products & their core IP sell well. But they don't have that diverse of a library & a smaller marketshare (in genre of software and worldwide hardware marketshare)

PrinterMan2752d ago Show
Godmars2902752d ago Show
bouzebbal2752d ago

nice PR spin.
If he had the headset ready would he still wait to release it because there is only demos and exeriments?
Spare us the BS and get things straight.

IGiveHugs2NakedWomen2752d ago (Edited 2752d ago )

His statements are merely PR Talk for why his bosses won't give him the green light to develop games and tech for VR. "Microsoft Executive Damage Controlling."

UltraNova2752d ago

Ok so VR isnt ready until MS says so? Ok MS whatever you say. Meanwhile the rest of the world will keep putting in money and effort to make it work so you can jump in when you see fit and boast like you have always supported VR or even made it better, somehow.

Typical MS...

Fatal-Aim2752d ago (Edited 2752d ago )

BS...

and I guess Kinect was ready and didn't feel like a demo, right?

They simply didn't see VR coming is why he's saying that. And with Sony way ahead of them in launch, they are garnering a HUGE following as well as increasing PlayStation awareness with absolutely no way for Phil and his Xbox team to counter them other than selling the XB1 S as a BluRay player or hyping the Scorpio for late next year.

They said the same about BluRay when Sony had it in the PS3 to make it the standard media format when it was first going up against HD DVD. Meanwhile, Microsoft was stuck with DVD in the 360 and backing HD DVD as an add-on for the XB 360 to prolong the war and disrupt Sony's BluRay strategy so that they could benefit from digital sales, which Sony was able to defeat back then. Now they are suddenly claiming victory with Sony's BluRay format in the XB1 S after Sony succeeded in making it a proven format. LoL!

Now Sony is doing it once again but with VR this time with Microsoft on the sidelines yelling foul once again.

IamTylerDurden12752d ago

It's Microsoft barely puts any money back into R&D, they take minimal risk. They do the same with games, that's why Microsoft is so known for the same old games. Taking risks means the potential to fail and lose money. Microsoft only jumped into VR after it seemed like a relatively sure thing, and even then they are taking minimal risk bc they aren't even developing their own headset.

Have you ever heard their internal business mantra? Embrace, extend, exterminate. These guys are hyper focused on profit by any means necessary. It seems like ppl are starting to finally see it for what it is.

Corpser2752d ago

VR owner and he's right, it's all demos and experiences right now

yeahokwhatever2752d ago

He's going to say whatever he needs to say to try to sell his console, lets be honest. Remember, xbox promised hololens, which is never coming to console. MS brought us the Kinect, which was a horrible, horrible, thing. Forcing users to use a kinect for voice commands when thats a SOFTWARE function is absurd, and further cements MS into the realm of a bad idea factory. MS, at this point, HAS to take a "wait and see" approach, as every time they don't wait, they fail. They should just rename Scorpio "Project Coattails". I made the mistake of buying a Microsoft piece of hardware twice. I should have learned the first time. Playstation/Nintendo/PC or GTFO.

mark3214uk2752d ago (Edited 2752d ago )

i bought the vr on day one and havnt played it since, it is good but there is no content really out yet for me, il get resi 7 in jan but not sure what else is coming out that interests me

plus as my ps4 is on a floating shelf so it is a nightmare conencting all those cables and that second box

edit: not sure why the disagree's am i not allowed to have an opinion on it,or did i say somthing that you think is not true?

+ Show (9) more repliesLast reply 2752d ago
TKCMuzzer2752d ago (Edited 2752d ago )

Tethered is a great VR game, I hope more strategy games are made in VR, the experience is brilliant.

yeahokwhatever2752d ago

I've been playing Driveclub, Valkrie, and Rigs a lot. To call them demos or experiments is shameful, dishonest, and absolutely reeks of desperation.

Angeljuice2752d ago

Except PC support is piecemeal, PSVR is a much more comprehensive experience.
PC is not the place to experience non tech demo content.

NohansenBoy2752d ago (Edited 2752d ago )

Aren't a lot of VR specific games on the PS4 getting low reviews and not really selling well?

VR as a whole seems like a giant tech demo. I think VR will only mean something if we can go full Sword Art Online honestly. Moving around with headsets appear clunky and awkward.

XanderZane2752d ago

Don't think people even read the article before comment. Phil isn't bashing VR.

"“What experiences do you put in people’s hands to have a long term engagement? Most of these things I’m playing now feel like demos and experiments, which I actually think it’s absolutely the right thing to have happened. That’s not a criticism at all, but should be happening. But I think it will take time.”"

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Spurg2753d ago

Well we can all agree that VR at this moment are demos and experiments.

Ju2753d ago

Because you have never tried one?

Eonjay2752d ago

But how do they just announce a full range of VR devices? You can't endorse VR and talk bad about it at the same time. All for PlayStation. That spin. Rite round.

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Trekster_Gamer2752d ago

I haven't tried one but I've seen enough footage and read enough reviews for those that get sick while playing certain games and other games seem like Tech demos vs truly immersive experiences.

its_JEFF2752d ago

What constitutes a AAA title? Cause I really don't know. Is it just a publisher? The amount of hours? The production value or the polish?

If those things are what constitutes a AAA title, wouldn't having the Last of Us, or any big game, on PSVR/Vive/Oculus be considered a AAA title? I don't think that would be the case. VR is a different thing than regular games, I think. I don't think we've defined what a "AAA" VR title is... right?

Ju2752d ago

If you haven't tried one, you simply have no idea. No flat media can accurately give you a description of a real VR experience.

BG115792752d ago (Edited 2752d ago )

It is amazing on how MS went from "We are not interested in VR. It has no future." to "We'll go on to VR when it's not gimmicks". Last phrase to be translated as making money with a solid market. From the beginning they were dishing out VR for AR. Now that a rival company is trying something, VR seems to interest them.
MS were the funding AR Tech we want? Stop copying other and bring something new to the table and stop following others damn it!

Errorist762752d ago

@Eonjay

Those devices they just 'announced' are again nothing but another PR spin to shoot against PSVR.

Mystogan2752d ago (Edited 2752d ago )

Out of the hundreds of VR games. There are only a handful of games that feel like actual games. Rigs is one that comes to mind. Not counting full games that just added VR support like Driveclub and Project Cars. They were full games to begin with. Most of The ones that are build up with VR in mind all feel like tech demos.

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Maxor2753d ago

Most of the VR games are like this. The only ones that doesn't feel like a demo are the core games that offer VR support like Elite Dangerous, Project Cars and War Thunder. With these games VR feels completely organic instead of some sort of VR try hard.

Essentially I think this is the way forward for VR, games should be games first then VR experience second.

Ju2752d ago

Eve Valkire is a full VR experience. RIGS is. DC VR is.

Maxor2752d ago

Without VR nobody would give a damn about RIGS or EVE Valk. In short they're not fully fledged out games that can stand on their own without the vR experience. Take War Thunder for instance. There's millions of players online on both consoles and PC with a ton of content and it's VR experience is just as compelling, if not more so than any VR exclusives.

uth112752d ago

What works in traditional gaming may not work well in VR. And what works in VR may not work well on a TV

So what? Rigs is fun in VR, who cares if it didn't standalone on its own?

Roronoa04112752d ago

How would Rigs not stand alone without VR? I find this hilarious considering that a game most people were looking forward to and were comparing it to things like Rocket League (one of the best and most played games this generation) and a mech game that everyone has been asking for. Rigs would easily sell and be a great game outside of VR. Obviously your just pushing your own agenda.

Goldby2752d ago

Maxor.

Just because games are made for VR doesnt mean they aren't fleshed out games. Basing something like if a game is "complete" based on peripherals required or not is no way to judge games.

Without Xbox, No body would give a damn about Halo or Forza, do you see how that sounds extremely stupid.

There are going to be games that require VR, there are going to be games that have optional VR and there are going to be games that don't use VR. guess what though, they are all games.

yeahokwhatever2752d ago

"Without VR nobody would give a damn about RIGS or EVE Valk." and without 3d graphics nobody would give 2 shits about halo. Whats your point, exactly?

BlackTar1872752d ago

What kind of statment that a VR game without VR no one would care about? Well NO CRAP. Keep up the good work though

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k2d2752d ago (Edited 2752d ago )

Yes , Phil.. downplay VR without bringing any form of effort towards the cause. Let everyone else do the hard work, and swoop in at the end to steal the glory.

Utalkin2me2752d ago

Thats the MS way. Lol, they even bought there first operating system from Tim Paterson called MS-Dos.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wi...

Leave that for all the disagree's im going to get. Cause the younger group that follows MS have no clue.

I hate MS but Phil for the most part seems like a decent guy. I do not like this comment from him. Just seems awful salty being the VR is doing so well, and he is just trying to downplay

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OB1Biker2752d ago (Edited 2752d ago )

I'm sorry but that statement from Phil sounds totally like console war BS waving the flag for fans to cheer.

4Sh0w2752d ago (Edited 2752d ago )

Nah, he is just saying they (Microsoft) don't want to put out half azz VR games...after Kinect, I agree if you don't have something worthwhile take your time until you do.

I think some just are reading into what he is saying because 'teh cinsole war.

Utalkin2me2752d ago

@4Sh0w

"Nah, he is just saying they (Microsoft) don't want to put out half azz VR games...after Kinect, I agree if you don't have something worthwhile take your time until you do. "

Thats right people he just said this. I mean it's ok to half azz putting out a console A.K.A the 360 with a 50%+ failure rate. Or Half azz put out games in the last 3 years of the 360's life cycle. Or Half azz the kinect 2.0 with software that was supposed to be the next coming of christ, then pull support.

Nah, he is just saying that MS is upset that VR is doing so well and they are not on board yet. So i (phil) will try to downplay. Cause i am jealous.

OOMagnum2752d ago

@eonjay, Those headsets are not made by MS and they come out next year (along with MS entry into vr with scorpio). So explain to me how saying vr isn't ready because the experiences arent up to snuff yet spinning, when theyre clearly waiting. So the only one Spinning is you as always.

OB1Biker2752d ago

'I’ve used the PlayStation [VR] device a lot in demos and stuff.”'
'I don’t think the creators in the game space have yet found – well, they haven’t obviously perfected the craft of building VR games,”
'I’ve seen great video uses of VR, like taking you to places you can never time travel, just the bottom of the Grand Canyon, or they simulate the surface of Mars, some really cool experiences users can see.”

Seriously it sounds like it would hurt his mouth to say he tried a game in VR. Sounds either ignorant or trully spinning 'demo and stuff' denying there are games.

Youngindy212752d ago

Yeah Spencer is right. I tried VR recently and it does feel like it is just demoey and not an full VR game experience. Nonetheless, it is still a very cool piece of tech.

XanderZane2752d ago (Edited 2752d ago )

Most of the games out so far play that way. Not all of them though. Of course fanboys will tell you otherwise. May people have tried it already.

@Eonjay
Those VR device aren't being developers by Microsoft and they are for the PC right now, not the XBox Scorpio. Phil is talking about VR for the Scorpio.

Babadook72752d ago

"Well we can all agree that VR at this moment are demos and experiments."

I think we can all agree that most people disagree with this statement based on the dislikes handed to you.

yeahokwhatever2752d ago

No, we can't. Step away from the Koolaid.

2cents2752d ago

ADR1FT and esper 2 felt like full VR games to me that were very well suited to VR.

Just about to try Alice, which also looks like a proper VR game.

There are some good times to be had but the majority are too simple. Slowly we will get more bang for 'The buck as developers feed of user feedback and adapt and respond with ever evolving experiences.

I find it fun to be part of the journey though.

Soldierone2752d ago

This will make people mad, but anyone that disagrees with you either wasted money on VR or is sipping on Sony Kool-aid hoping PSVR doesn't turn into Vita 2.0.

How many stand still and shoot at waves of whatever do we need?

IGiveHugs2NakedWomen2749d ago

RIGS, Driveclub, and Eve Valkyrie are not demos or experiments.

Neither are Here They Lie or Batman Arkham VR. Batman was short, but it sure as hell was interesting to play being fully immersed in a 360 degree 3D world.

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ArchangelMike2753d ago ShowReplies(12)
-Foxtrot2753d ago

Yet if he thought of VR sooner and brought his out way before the others it would be totally different

Besides wasn't that Kinect in a nutshell.

Muzikguy2752d ago

Of course! Maybe he's just downplaying it since Kinect flopped..... Twice.

LandCruiser2752d ago Show
lastking952752d ago Show
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XbKiGaandMaar2752d ago

"Besides wasn't that Kinect in a nutshell."

That's what I was thinking. MS sure loves to talk a lot of BS.

SquidBuck2752d ago

Sony/Oculus/Vive = Pied Piper, and MS = Hooli lmao

Kryptix2752d ago (Edited 2752d ago )

Not only that, but the way I see it, Phil is trying his hardest to cover their slow progress and falling behind.

So when something like Resident Evil 7 in VR comes out, a full experience, with others, will VR come out for Scorpio?

Oh wait, it won't. It's a whole year away and this is just Phil downplaying the success of PSVR, pretending he knows what he's talking about.

It's like Don Mattrick is ghost writing Phil's script recently. It really is starting to show.

Also, Microsoft showed a $299 VR headset, supported by them so they're all in it regardless if it feels like "demos and experiments" which I'm 100% sure it will be available on Scorpio day 1.

Trying real hard with that contradiction...
...not gonna work.

And he just told current VR developers to F off. What a smart business move. lol That VR competitive struggle is going to be real.

Darkfist_Flames2752d ago

"Besides wasn't that Kinect in a nutshell"

lol was thinking the same thing, also dont forget about the "power of the cloud", and these fanboys still believe them xD.

PistolsAtDawn2752d ago (Edited 2751d ago )

You do realize it's HoloLens tech that is making their partnered vr devices better and cheaper than current devices right? ...and that tech has been around more than 5 years and before PSVR was a thing. So it sounds like he's telling the truth....they've had the tech...just waiting to move on it

@goldby 10 years and they still have issues with their device? Besides, it's clear that your definition of being in development for 10 years is WILDLY leinient. By that definition, ANY VR device has been in development for more than 10 years. NONE of that will get rid of the fact that MS' s advances in this area are letting other companies release better devices at a cheaper price.

Goldby2752d ago

PSVR has been in development for over 10 years.

Look up Richard Marks and Future Labs

Star512752d ago

Yeah, he's definitely spinning as fast as he can. Either commit to VR now, or shut up. Microsoft hardly ever innovates. They need to take a leap of faith.

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TGGJustin2753d ago

So in other words screw all the developers who want to make VR games now and figure out what works best. Microsoft doesn't want to be part of helping them learn. Scumbags.

Ju2753d ago (Edited 2753d ago )

They want to piggy pack on current development and then rip off their investment when it matures. Why doesn't that surprise me.

Death2752d ago

You do know Rift and Vive came out 7 months ago, right? Unless you have one of those, you can STFU. You simply waited for your team to jump in before supporting the format. Props to those that bought DK1 and DK2 years ago.

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fromchildren2752d ago

Piggy pack is actually a really smart move, this minimises risks and losses for Microsoft and the whole company and fanbase is happy.

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Errorist762752d ago

@Death

You do know Sony had headsets on the market even before Oculus started development.

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mhunterjr2752d ago

How are they screwing developers? Developers have plenty of VR sdks to support (oculus, vive, psvr, open VR, etc), and Scorpio will likely support at least one of the existing options.

They aren't stopping developers in anyway.

Ju2752d ago

If MS wants to do VR they either have to license an API or write their own... Which means it'll clone an existing one and push them out. Which hasn't happened before, right?

BG115792752d ago

Or MS is just waiting one failing commercially and then acquired its assets. When they saved Nokia by acquiring it, they entered in the mobile branch. That's classic MS for you.

mhunterjr2752d ago

@Ju

Or they'll all and existing API on their platform and support it with their own tech... which is exactly what they are doing btw.

Ju2752d ago

I doubt this will happen in a closed console environment. If they bring one, MS must define the standards. Since they don't have any, they usually go buy one and sell it as their own.

mhunterjr2752d ago

@Ju just about every VR sdk is compatible with Win10, which is kernal Scorpio will run on. MS controls the SDK and can whitelist 3rd party HMD hardware for the console... they'd also be responsible for what calls the Xbox SDK will respond to. They can control that aspect of the standard all they want, and still support 3rd party HMDs.

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oSHINSAo2752d ago

Developers just want to sell, not to make VR, if the base installment is short, why would they create something for selling just a few (compared with the non VR audience)

PistolsAtDawn2752d ago (Edited 2752d ago )

....yet all those developers they just announced are making their massive strides in vr development from MS tech from HoloLens and DX12....clearly you aren't paying attention at all

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50°

XCOM's Jake Solomon Q&A - Building a Narrative-Driven Life Sim Game at Midsummer Studios

XCOM and Marvel's Midnight Suns director Jake Solomon has founded a new studio to make a life sim game. Here's a new interview with him.

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40°

The Big Inworld AI Q&A - 'Everyone in Gaming Sees the Potential of Generative AI'

Wccftech interviewed Nathan Yu from Inworld AI to discuss the dynamic NPC tech's applications to games as well as potential issues like costs.

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160°

Xbox President Sarah Bond's Bloomberg Interview Is Corporate Fakery At Its Best

Saad from eXputer: "After Arkane Austin & Tango were shutdown, Xbox President Sarah Bond spoke with Bloomberg in what I believe to be utter corporate fakery."

gold_drake1d 10h ago

im not really surprised by that, shes always been more a "let me talk about something else than what u want to know" kinda gal

Cacabunga1d 2h ago

If what they are doing is that good, what’s the point of hiding the true story?

anast1d 7h ago

She's a caricature of the shareholders.

PRIMORDUS1d 5h ago

"Shareholders" I call them cancer, they are already rich to begin with but need more and more. It's like a disease, with no cure.

__y2jb13h ago

If you have a pension then you are likely to be a shareholder in these big tech companies yourself. To demonize them as 'heartless rich people' shows you have no idea what you're talking about.

anast11h ago(Edited 11h ago)

@Y2

Of course, it isn't about that. You are attempting to set up a self-righteous strawman to stir up some kind of ignorant mob mentality.

And by the way, most everyone is a touch heartless or we wouldn't be able to consume the products we do knowing very well how they are made. People have to be this way because of self-preservation and convenience.

__y2jb8h ago

@anast please explain to me how what i said is self righteous or a strawman. I simply pointed out that categorizing all shareholders as cancer is ridiculous.

Leeroyw1d 2h ago

I own shares in game companies. I'm not anything near a major share holder. I just want them to make good games and be successful because of that. I think it's the senior management that's the problem. They are the ones that should be making it clear to the shareholders what creates growth and ensures a future of their business. Not this weasle words garbage that she did on the interview. It was horrific. I don't know a shareholder that would be happy with any of them for this.

Profchaos1d 1h ago (Edited 1d 1h ago )

Same and I'm not rich by any stretch like most people's I'm just trying to keep my head above water these days most company's shareholders are made up of everyday people it's amazing how companies think we want something but the reality is we don't.

Disney are probably the worse at the moment it's shareholders voted on ending a lot of the crap and outing the current execs the execs turned around and said no we disagree with the shareholder vote

PRIMORDUS20h ago

I meant at the rich fucks who have millions in the bank already. They are making so much per year, that if they don't make what they are expecting they go into a panic, when in reality it will not even hurt them at all. Those are greedy assholes.

anast11h ago

"you have a pension then you are likely to be a shareholder"

Pensioners don't make any decisions about anything. Obviously that is not what this is about.

CrimsonWing691d 6h ago

Yea, it was and it’s insulting that they think we’re dumb enough to fall for this. Look, the truth was you took a gamble on these studios and while they released some games to critical praise and great reception they just aren’t bringing in a ROI. Be transparent, you’re not a politician.

Just tell everyone you spend money on projects big and small and when money isn’t being made you go over the potential of revenue a studio can bring in vs those that can’t and make the hard decision to chop them.

She says this whole thing about “success” doesn’t fit one meaning for each studio. Well yea, a small budget production isn’t going to expect to sell the same as a large budget production.

One thing I wish they did though was let Tango be an independent studio.

TheGamingHounds1d 6h ago

disheartening to see no regard for the human cost of business anymore
the bad decisions and judgements of these CEOs severely impact the frontliners
these fake responses are just salt on wounds

RoadRacer1d 6h ago

imagine havin the audacity to say "we need more games like hifi rush" right after closing the studio that made it lol
followin up with this show of "deflecting every question" was in poor taste

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