Microsoft poised to enter virtual reality race with Oculus Rift-style headset
Microsoft is developing a virtual reality headset for its Xbox One console that will see it rival Sony’s own gaming product next year.
The technology business has sparked rumours its mooted push into the space is imminent following VRFocus and TechRadar reports that it has sent game studios development kits for an Oculus Rift-style product. Additional reports claim the headset will debut at next year’s E3 show in June before being mass-produced sometime over the next year.
While Microsoft has not yet confirmed the reports, the patents it has applied for in recent years, which included head-mounted displays, suggest a big play for the virtual reality space. Earlier this year, Xbox chef Phil Spencer said virtual reality technology was “interesting” and “something we’ve been playing with for quite a while”.
Virtual Reality headsets are set to become mainstream in 2015 with the launch of the Facebook-owned Oculus Rift and developments from Sony’s alternative.
The Japanese business is set show off its product sometime next year after it announced “Project Morpheus” in March. The Playstation maker plans to push the product through its PS4 console and has already been courting developers to test its capabilities.
Both Microsoft and Sony see virtual reality as a way to boost sales beyond their traditional gaming channels as their fledgling Xbox One and PS4 consoles tussle for dominance. Sony’s console has consistently outperformed Microsoft’s since launching last year according to official figures. However, the Xbox One outsold the PS4 in November following earlier than expected price cuts from both.