Xbox head: The 'final destination' for VR gaming should be a HoloLens style headset

Microsoft is expected to launch its next-gen gaming console, Project Scorpio in about a year. The company is apparently building the most powerful console ever that brings true 4K gaming to the Xbox, along with high-fidelity virtual reality experiences. In a recent interview with AusGamers, Microsoft Xbox’s head, Phil Spencer answered some questions regarding the company’s plans for Project Scorpio and more. In the interview, Phil revealed that the software giant ultimately wants to bring untethered virtual reality experiences.

Phil said in the interview that he previously tried out virtual reality headsets such as the Oculus Rift, HTC Vive and he’s also getting the PlayStation VR. In the interview, he stated that all the cords that come with these headsets and the setup add up to a clumsy experience. Here’s his full statement:

“A device that can go from fully opaque like we see in current VR to overlaying information in the real-world — I fundamentally believe that’s where we’re going. I’ll also add ‘untethered’ is where we’re going. Like, the fact we’re all going to walk around… I mean, you’ve played all of these right? With cords hanging off the back of your head? It’s cool, I have a Vive, I have an Oculus, I’ll get a PlayStation VR, but the setup is for some specific tech enthusiasts — it’s just not a normal thing to shield myself from the world with a cord hanging off the back of my head and play games. I think it has to evolve, and I love the evolution that is going to happen.”

Phil Spencer also added that he personally sees a mixed-reality device such as Microsoft’s own HoloLens as the “final destination.” Everything that’s happening and will happen over the upcoming years are all “great learning opportunities for the industry.”

What Microsoft will bring to the virtual reality and gaming industry in the future will be quite interesting to see. An untethered virtual reality headset does sound quite ambitious at the moment, but that may not be the case in a few years time. As Phil mentioned in the interview, technology is evolving and even consoles are getting more and more powerful every year. Microsoft did do (and is still doing) some really amazing things with the HoloLens, so a mixed-reality device may not be that ambitious in a few years time as it is right now.