Fans of virtual reality gaming didn’t hear quite as many announcements as they were hoping to last week at E3. While Sony and PC platforms announced some impressive titles launching in VR, Microsoft was silent about VR despite releasing the most powerful console to date. It was Nintendo however, that made a surprise announcement about its efforts in VR.
During its press conference, Nintendo unveiled that Mario Kart is arriving at a location-based VR with VR Zone Shinjuku, a 40,000 square foot arcade from Bandai Namco, offering 15 different VR games. The facility is set to open on July 14th. One of the most anticipated games to be showcased at the facility, Mario Kart, gives gamers the chance to sit in a go-kart and put on a VR headset, racing their friends virtually. This is Bandai Namco’s second foray into location-based VR arcades, after opening up “VR Zone Project I Can” in Tokyo last year.
Time will tell if Nintendo further adopts the location-based approach, and brings more of its games to the increasing number VR arcades across the world. Location-based VR is a great way to introduce VR to a higher number of consumers. These VR arcades help defray high costs, provide ample space for VR gaming, and offer a fun, communal VR experience. However, given the declining cost of VR gaming, we view this as stepping-stone technology that won’t be the final place for VR gaming. Eventually, VR gaming will be home-based, just as console video-games replaced arcades of the past.
In contrast to Nintendo, Sony continues to release VR content to its PlayStation VR console. At E3, Sony announced major titles in VR including Skyrim and Doom VFR. Previously, Sony’s VR titles were non-major titles that were developed specifically for the VR experience. Major titles reaching its VR platform is a big step forward for VR gaming and a positive indication for the space.
Microsoft has yet to bring VR gaming to the Xbox, instead choosing to place a bigger bet on Mixed Realty, focusing on their new MR platform for PCs coming this fall. When Project Skorpio was announced last year, it seemed all but a certainty that it was a move to compete directly with Playstation VR, and bring VR gaming to the Xbox One. However, Microsoft tempered expectations before E3. Microsoft’s Phil Spencer shared his belief that VR console gaming is typically done in family rooms and needs to have wireless headsets in order for it to be done right. While the newly announced Xbox One X is powerful enough to support VR, owners likely won’t see VR support until 2018. Until then, Microsoft remains focused on its Mixed Reality platform coming to PCs this fall.
Disclaimer: We actively write about the themes in which we invest: artificial intelligence, robotics, virtual reality, and augmented reality. From time to time, we will write about companies that are in our portfolio. Content on this site including opinions on specific themes in technology, market estimates, and estimates and commentary regarding publicly traded or private companies is not intended for use in making investment decisions. We hold no obligation to update any of our projections. We express no warranties about any estimates or opinions we make.