Phil Spencer responds to Xbox VR feedback amongst criticisms

Xbox boss Phil Spencer has responded to the negative criticisms regarding his recent claims regarding Xbox VR.

With Spencer stating that that virtual reality gaming is not a focus of Xbox Scarlett, certain Xbox fans were upset at Spencer’s dismissal of the innovative platform.

“It’s isolating and I think of games as a communal, kind of together experience,” Spencer said. “We’re responding to what our customers are asking for and… nobody’s asking for VR.”

While Spencer is technically correct that VR can be isolating, that’s not always the case. It can be a rewarding, cooperative style of gameplay experience, and those wanting VR on Xbox are upset at Spencer’s claims.

“I dont think the issue is Xbox focusing on building up there games line up, it was the way VR was dismissed as a novelty not worth pursuing when its clear that there is a huge AAA investment by Valve/Sony/Oculus,” wrote Twitter user Parris in a reply to Spencer.

“Fair feedback,” Spencer responded. “I’ve said publically, I love how our industry has pioneered: AI, physics, 3D, RT, VR/AR etc. For us, it’s about focus on our innovations right now. I’ve played some great VR games, I got to play HL:Alyx in the summer, amazing. It’s just not our focus with Scarlett.”

Fair feedback. I've said publically, I love how our industry has pioneered: AI, physics, 3D, RT, VR/AR etc. For us, it's about focus on our innovations right now. I've played some great VR games, I got to play HL:Alyx in the summer, amazing. It's just not our focus with Scarlett

— Phil Spencer (@XboxP3) November 27, 2019

VR is not a platform worthy of dismissal. With Oculus’ Quest headset quickly selling out and other developers getting into high-quality AAA VR games, the platform is as viable as ever.

Sony may be working on a brand-new virtual reality headset; Valve is creating an amazing-looking VR game with Half-Life: Alyx. VR is viable.