Microsoft has been talking up their Windows mixed reality headsets since last year with the focus primarily being on PC use. During CES, Microsoft showed off a few manufacturers who were creating the VR headsets; however at GDC, they unveiled a plan to bring those headsets to Xbox One.
Currently, Microsoft has been developing the headsets for PC, but in 2018, they will be available for both Xbox as well as Project Scorpio. The company released a statement that confirmed the shift: “Our plan is to bring mixed reality content to the Xbox One family of devices, including Project Scorpio, in 2018”
This, of course, does nothing to explain if the current lineup of mixed reality headsets will be altered in order to be compatible with Xbox, or if there will be Xbox/Project Scorpio-branded versions of the headsets. With the massive sales of Sony’s PlayStation VR, it seemed to be only a matter of time before Microsoft tried their hand at the new format.
Microsoft also showed off the Acer Windows Mixed Reality developers edition headset at GDC. The headset comes with two high-resolution displays with a refresh rate of 90hz, an audio jack as well as HDMI and USB ports for connection to a computer. The Acer headset will be shipping to select developers starting this March.
It is looking like holiday 2017 when the Microsoft headsets from ASUS, Dell, and Lenovo will be released for PC use. Hopefully, we will be learning more about the plans Microsoft has for the Xbox and Project Scorpio headsets at E3 this year.
