Microsoft has finally made good on long-awaited plans to stream Xbox One games via the Oculus Rift.
In the summer of 2015, Microsoft excited Xbox fans and early VR adopters with an announcement that the Oculus Rift would eventually support game streaming for Xbox One titles. And now, after many months of silence, Microsoft confirmed that the new feature will go live on December 12.
Owners of the Oculus Rift will be able to download a new Xbox One Streaming app, which will allow players to beam games like Gears of War 4, Forza Horizon 3, and Halo 5: Guardians onto a virtual reality screen over Wi-Fi. Microsoft also confirmed that more titles would be added to the roster of supporting games in 2017.
“At Xbox, we’re continuously exploring new ways for you to get the most out of your gaming experiences by providing the choice to play how you want, where you want and with whomever you want,” explains Kevin Unangst, Senior Director of Global Marketing at Xbox.
“Today marks an evolution in our ongoing partnership with Oculus, as Rift owners will be able to stream their Xbox One library to Rift with the new Xbox One Streaming to Oculus Rift app."
The app connects to your Xbox One over your home Wi-Fi network. Once it’s set up, your console’s video output will be streamed to the Rift headset and projected onto a huge virtual screen. You’ll be able to choose three different “immersive VR environments”, including Citadel, Retreat, and Dome.
We gave the Oculus Rift a 4/5 score in our review, praising the new experiences it offers, its light and robust design, the simple setup, and strong content lineup. Here’s our verdict: “The Oculus Rift is a triumph for every tech head – this isn’t just a step towards the future, it is an almighty leap. It’s by no means perfect, but it’s already fulfilling a healthy fraction of its ultimate potential."
