Meta announced at its annual Meta Connect event on Tuesday, Oct. 11, that it is working with Microsoft to bring Xbox Cloud Gaming to Meta Quest headsets, enabling users to stream Xbox titles within virtual reality.
How Xbox Cloud Gaming will work on Quest
According to Meta’s presentation, players will be able to play 2-D Xbox games in the Quest environment with their Xbox controller projected onto a large virtual screen. Mark Zuckerberg said during the Meta Connect livestream, “You will be able to play 2-D games with your Xbox controller projected on a huge screen in Quest.” He added that the initiative is still early but expressed enthusiasm about future possibilities.
No launch date yet
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella did not provide a release date for Xbox Cloud Gaming on Quest during the event. He said that Xbox fans can expect more news soon, but offered no timeline.
Broader VR collaboration between Meta and Microsoft
The announcement is part of a wider effort by Meta and Microsoft to expand productivity and collaboration tools in virtual reality. Both companies are working to make apps such as Office and Microsoft Teams available in VR, alongside game streaming.
New games coming to Quest 2
At Meta Connect, Meta also confirmed additions to the Quest 2 game library slated for 2022. Among the forthcoming titles is Among Us VR, reflecting the company’s push to grow its VR gaming catalog.
Meta is positioning the Metaverse as a virtual space for socializing, working and gaming, and the company’s investments in VR titles aim to encourage users to adopt Quest headsets and engage with that ecosystem.
