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Microsoft is also working on virtual reality gear for Xbox One

Published Mar 19th, 2014 8:45AM EDT
Xbox One Virtual Reality Headset

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PlayStation 4 fans finally got their first official taste of Sony’s plans for virtual reality gaming when the company unveiled “Project Morpheus” on Tuesday night. Sony called the announcement “the next innovation from PlayStation that may well shape the future of games,” and it showed off a prototype virtual reality headset as well as a software development kit (SDK) that will allow game makers to create immersive VR video games. As it turns out, however, Sony isn’t the only big name working to bring virtual reality gaming to its latest console.

Buried in a report from The Wall Street Journal earlier this week is a very interesting note that should definitely excite Xbox One fans. According to the report, Microsoft is also working to a bring virtual gaming experience to its Xbox lineup.

“Microsoft has also developed 3-D virtual-reality devices, people familiar with the project say, and it has filed at least one patent for it so far,” The Journal’s Ian Sherr wrote. “The software company has been developing the technology concurrently with a project known as ‘Fortaleza,’ or ‘fortress’ in Portuguese. The effort has been discussed as an attempt at creating a suite of experiences unique to Microsoft’s Xbox products, people who have been privy to discussions say.”

Sherr continued, “At least one iteration of Microsoft’s technology was based on a concept known as ‘augmented reality,’ which often superimposes animation on a display along with images of the real world, people familiar with the project have said. Devices like the Oculus goggles, by contrast, show only computer-generated images.”

The patent in question is titled “multiplayer gaming with head-mounted display,” and it was filed in early 2012.

No timeline was provided in terms of when Microsoft’s vision for VR gaming might be unveiled. And we can only hope that the “augmented reality” portion of WSJ’s report refers to IllumiRoom, which is still the most amazing video game-related project we have ever seen.

Zach Epstein
Zach Epstein Executive Editor

Zach Epstein has been the Executive Editor at BGR for more than 10 years. He manages BGR’s editorial team and ensures that best practices are adhered to. He also oversees the Ecommerce team and directs the daily flow of all content. Zach first joined BGR in 2007 as a Staff Writer covering business, technology, and entertainment.

His work has been quoted by countless top news organizations, and he was recently named one of the world's top 10 “power mobile influencers” by Forbes. Prior to BGR, Zach worked as an executive in marketing and business development with two private telcos.