Meta has announced at its Connect 2023 showcase that Xbox Game Pass will finally arrive on its virtual reality headsets. Using a Core plan, you can access a slew of games on a flatscreen 2D screen in your Meta Quest headset.
The app is available now on the Meta Quest 2, 3, and Pro. You also need a Game Pass Ultimate subscription to play Xbox games.
Xbox Cloud Gaming
Microsoft has officially brought Xbox games to virtual reality, starting with Meta Quest headsets. The company launched a new app on the Meta Quest Store today called Xbox Cloud Gaming that allows owners of the Quest 2, Quest 3, and Quest Pro to stream a selection of Xbox titles from a giant 2D screen in virtual space.
To use it, simply download the app on a compatible device and pair the Meta Quest headset with a controller. It supports Xbox Wireless controllers, PS4 controllers via Bluetooth, and even the Switch Pro controller. Meta says it will add support for the PlayStation 5 controller soon, too.
You’ll need a Game Pass Ultimate subscription and a supported controller to play. But once logged in, you can play the entire library of Xbox games instantly with no installs required on a giant virtual screen. You can choose between an immersive Xbox-themed virtual space or a stereoscopic full-color passthrough experience that shows your physical surroundings.
Meta Quest 2
The Meta Quest 2 packs a lot of power into its small frame. The headset has a Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 processor and 6GB of RAM, which gives it a mobile-grade performance that easily outperforms the previous generation Meta VR. This allows you to play games like Star Wars: Squadrons and Half-Life: Alyx without needing a powerful gaming PC.
The Quest 2 also has a dedicated home screen, which serves as your command center and lets you access games, change settings, and define your play space with the Guardian system. It’s a great way to manage the experience. The only downside is that you need a Facebook account to set up the device, though you can now sign in with a Meta account instead.
This deepening of ties with Facebook won’t sit well with some gamers, especially given the company’s recent controversies over privacy. But, for most players, it won’t be a deal-breaker. The new Meta account also lets you log in with any controller you choose.
Meta Quest Pro
The Meta Quest Pro offers several upgrades that will make it tempting for true VR enthusiasts, including improved expression tracking and a svelter stylus for high-end art applications, as well as a powerful processor and better optics. It also has eye and face tracking that will make your avatar more accurately reflect your mood, ideal for social VR apps.
However, the lack of AR apps to take advantage of the new features and the top-end price will limit its audience. It is also a shame that the headset doesn’t come with an extra battery to help address its two-hour battery life, which is a bit too short for a standalone device.
The prompt release of the Meta Quest Pro suggests that Facebook (Meta’s parent company) wants to stay ahead of a burgeoning XR market, where rivals like Apple’s Vision Pro are still struggling to gain traction. It will be interesting to see how the new technology evolves, especially if it makes its way down into cheaper devices in the future.
Meta Quest Store
Meta has a lot to prove with Quest 3. Its slimmer design, improved displays, and more powerful processor will certainly encourage true XR fans to invest in an upgrade. But it will also have to compete with emerging MR headsets like the Apple Vision Pro, which will likely offer similar experiences at a more affordable price.
The company has relaunched its website with a clearer focus on its retail experience and the launch of its first Meta Store in Burlingame, California. At the Meta Store, customers will be able to try the Quest 2 and the new Meta Quest 3 headsets. The company will also showcase a new set of Meta controllers that offer ergonomics and TruTouch haptics.
At Connect 2022, Meta revealed that users have already spent more than $1.5 billion on games and apps in the Quest Store since its launch. This is a significant milestone, but it still doesn’t show a strong growth rate, especially when compared to other VR app stores.
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