Microsoft Thinks Virtual Reality Is Not Yet Ready, Reveals Xbox Chief

With Microsoft revealing HoloLens to the world at its January Windows 10 event, it does not mean the company has turned its back on virtual reality (VR).

Talking to Eurogamer, Xbox head Phil Spencer claimed that HoloLens does not prevent Microsoft from getting into VR.

"I don't think we've locked ourselves out. We've looked at a mixed reality space that we could do with Hololens and think about it as a unique set of features and technologies to enable, that doesn't preclude us from doing anything in the VR space either from a first-party or partnership perspective. I've used Morpheus, I've used Oculus, I'm going to see more of the demos [at GDC 2015]," Spencer said.

However he's uncertain as to when the opportune moment would be to enter the market, believing that there's still work to be done before VR is ready for prime time, mass consumption.

"The conversations between all of us in this space remain strong, a lot of them look at Xbox, and obviously with Oculus on PC and other things, and the discussions are great as all of us look forward into where this space is going to go. I don't think - and this isn't a shot at VR in any way - I don't think it's landed yet on what it is and how it's gong to go to market, but the innovation work is amazing, and it's something the games industry has always done, whether it's AI or voice. The games industry is always a place for innovation."

While Valve, Facebook's Oculus, and Sony think otherwise, it will be interesting to see how Microsoft plans for the imminent VR disruption that could very well change the way we consume video games and other forms of entertainment.