Microsoft May Reveal VR Device at E3 2015

Microsoft is finally in the race for virtual reality headsets.

Reports have surfaced this week about a Microsoft VR “gaming device” for the Xbox One that is in the works. The news comes from sources in Microsoft’s “upstream supply chain”, meaning vendors for parts and other basic products that would begin production well ahead of a product launch.

Every indication is that Microsoft is looking to release this VR gaming device in 2015, meaning E3 is the most likely time that Microsoft will reveal the headset.

Taiwanese news outlet DIGITIMES quotes those sources as saying that the Microsoft team behind the Surface tablet is heading development of this new VR device. Every indication is that Microsoft is looking to release this VR gaming device in 2015, meaning E3 is the most likely time that Microsoft will reveal the headset.

These same reports also noted that several AAA game developers have received early versions of the product, but no details have come to light as to which specific developers got one.

Note that this device is separate from Microsoft’s “Fortezela” project. Fortezela  came to light back in mid-2012 when an internal company document leaked (see header photo for the concept drawing). That project is still in development and meant to be an “augmented reality” headset, whereas this new project has all the makings of a VR headest like the Oculus Rift.

Earlier this year, reports surfaced about Sony’s VR device, called Project Morpheus, had been in development for some time, though it likely wouldn’t be ready for a 2014 release.