Xbox Co-Founder Shares Insights on Virtual Reality

Seamus Blackley, a co-founder of Xbox, has expressed his disinterest in virtual reality (VR), openly voicing his concern about its lack of appeal and the cumbersome experience it often delivers. Though Blackley has been away from the Xbox team for more than two decades, his thoughts seem to align with previous statements made by Xbox about VR.

In the gaming console arena, opinions are split on the value of chasing VR experiences. PlayStation has ventured into this domain with its PS VR systems, leveraging the power of both the PlayStation 4 and 5. Similarly, Meta has carved out success with its Quest VR headsets, and even Nintendo dipped a toe into VR territory through the Switch Nintendo Labo. Conversely, Xbox has opted not to delve into the VR fray with its own hardware, and now one of its original creators has weighed in.

Speaking on the VideoGamer Podcast, as highlighted by PC Guide, Blackley points to the absence of a “killer app” as a key barrier to VR’s popularity. He describes VR gear as often being too hot and unwieldy, which tends to leave users feeling let down. For those enthusiastic about VR and AR, he bluntly noted that these innovations haven’t fully taken off and added, “if you’re a big fan, I’m sorry, but it’s just the [expletive] fact.”

Xbox enthusiasts have long speculated whether the brand would venture into VR, especially after Xbox head Phil Spencer previously stated that “no one is asking for VR.” That said, Xbox’s stance appears to be shifting, as evidenced by its collaboration with Meta to create a VR headset for Xbox fans. The Xbox Cloud Gaming app now allows players to engage with Xbox titles on Meta headsets, giving users access to a grand virtual display, despite the lack of full VR functionality.

Meta’s VR devices, including the Meta Quest 2 and the newly launched Quest 3S, have reported solid sales. Meta Reality Labs, which not only designs these headsets but also works on projects like Ray-Ban smart glasses, achieved their highest quarterly revenue yet, surpassing $1 billion in Q4 2024. Although the company faces financial losses overall, their VR endeavors continue to attract a growing audience.

While VR still lacks that one definitive game to capture the masses akin to blockbuster non-VR titles, some VR releases have made significant strides. Adaptations like Resident Evil 4, along with original successes such as Half-Life: Alyx, Beat Saber, and VR Chat, have all found their niche. Whether VR can eventually compete with the reach of mainstream consoles and PCs remains an open question, yet it’s clear the industry isn’t ready to give up on its VR aspirations just yet.