This week’s virtual reality (VR) news has been dominated by Microsoft’s Windows Mixed Reality headsets, with the launch now confirmed for 17th October. The company also confirmed that SteamVR would be supported, without saying when that might be implemented. As it turns out that won’t be for launch.
German website Computer Base reports that Microsoft’s Communication Director for Mixed Reality, Greg Sullivan, has stated during this week’s IFA event in Berlin, Germany, that while work on integrating SteamVR with the headsets has begun it won’t be completed by the time of the October launch.
The news might be a big game changer for those interested in purchasing the Acer, HP, Dell or Lenovo head-mounted displays (HMDs) – the Asus headset isn’t available until 2018 – as it may involve a beta release in the months after, which may not be entirely stable.
Of course Microsoft still has plans for content to be available on day one, just through its own store. A list published on the Windows blog includes zombie shooter Arizona Sunshine, ARK: Survival Evolved spin off ARK Park, Esper, Floorplan, Bullet Sorrow VR, Dreadhalls, Jaunt, Hulu, SUPERHOT VR, vTime, Rec Room, Obduction and many more.
As previously mentioned there’s still no confirmation on when exactly SteamVR will actually work with the Windows HMDs. When details are available VRFocus will let you know.