E3, set for June 14-16, adds an “Xbox One VR” category

Laurent Giret

While we already expected a busy E3 2016 following our previous reports on new Xbox hardware reportedly in the pipeline, it seems that the upcoming gaming show could also reveal new Xbox One VR experiences, according to a new report from Techradar. Our colleagues spotted on NeoGAF that a user called “00ich” has discovered that four companies are currently registered under the “Virtual Reality > Xbox One” category on the official E3 website: Rebellion, Maximum Games, Readily Information Company and 3DRudder.

Game developer Rebellion on the E3 website.
Game developer Rebellion on the E3 website.

Of course, this could well be an error but Techradar recalled in its report that both Rebellion and 3D Rudder already shipped VR products. Indeed, as a game developer, Rebellion developed Battlezone VR for PlayStation VR while hardware company 3DRudder builds feet-based VR and 3D motion controllers.

Furthermore, a previous report from Kotaku revealed last week that Microsoft is currently pursuing a partnership with VR company Oculus, which could mean that the next iteration of the Xbox One (codenamed Project Scorpio and slated for release in late 2017) could be VR enabled and probably compatible with the current consumer version of the Oculus Rift headset. Last, an additional report from Ars Technica confirmed last week that there would be an announcement of an Xbox One virtual reality game at E3.

If you have been following the news around virtual reality, you may be aware that Sony has already a clear VR strategy as the Japanese company is expected to introduce PlayStation VR later this year and is also rumored to be reveal a PlayStation 4.5 during E3. It makes sense for Microsoft to reveal its VR plans during the upcoming gaming show as the Redmond giant can’t afford to miss the VR train and continue to appear as the underdog in its fight against Sony’s very successful Playstation 4. Do you think Microsoft is ready to reveal the first Xbox One VR experiences at E3 2016? Please let us know what you think in the comments.