It's no secret that Xbox has continued to shy away from VR in recent years, with Phil Spencer even publicly stating that there are no plans for the tech on the platform at present. However, that doesn't seem to have stopped past VR projects being worked on at Xbox studios, even if they never came to market.
One such project is 'Halo VR', a title that was being worked on at 343 Industries sometime after Halo 5 launched in 2015. Details of this project have now been shared by 343 developer Dan Chosich, who's uploaded a bunch of concept art for the title to their website.
In fact, the info goes well beyond concept art. The site details how 343 was attempting to break down some of the barriers that VR presented, like 3D player movement, general install bases for VR devices and more.
You can see just a few examples of the many concept art images from the website below:
Then, there's information about how the team would work virtual reality into Halo's world, like accessing story elements through data pads and implementing traditional Halo gameplay elements into the VR space. It's fascinating stuff!
Of course, sadly, 'Halo VR' never became a reality; we'd assume largely due to Xbox's reluctance to create a VR headset. Looking at all this though, we'd still like it to happen, so, maybe one day Xbox can make 'Halo VR' a reality? Microsoft has already experimented with virtual Halo projects in the past, such as the mixed reality experience Halo Recruit, and the limited VR attraction Halo: Outpost Discovery.
While we wait for 343 Industries to one day create 'Halo VR', here's an example of how it could work, if given the chance. This isn't from 343 directly, but the team seemed impressed with this modder's work, given the subsequent hire!
What do you make of all this? Would Halo work in VR? Let us know in the comments!
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Comments 8
Microsoft can't even get normal games out on a regular basis they need to help their studios and fix the bad management.
Probably for the best that they haven't bothered with VR as it's a limited market. Like many people I can't use VR due to bad motion sickness.
343 are incompetent with Halo as it is so this wouldn't be great either. Microsoft should have brought Bungie when they had the chance.
@Geezer MS should have just kept Bungie and supported them in building their next franchise, like a good publisher.
All Bungie wanted to do was build Destiny, and MS couldn't see beyond the money that Halo was printing. Shot themselves right in the foot. Imagine being MS and letting Bungie go, losing the chance to own Destiny, and ruining Halo by giving it to completely clueless corporate heads, all in one go.
@Richnj
One of the reasons why I have left Xbox and game pass. Of course the delays until sometime in 2023 did not help. And the slightly lack lustre Redfall and Starfield showings, in my opinion.
I might come back one day but currently they have zero for me AAA game wise.
FM looked great but not into track racers.
When Xbox studios manage to produce their own AAA games to a level of BOTW, Mario Odyssey, HFW and god of war etc, then I might return.
Halo would definitely work in VR in the same way Doom, Quake, Half Life, all work!
It’s v.interesting to know some games like Halo & apparently MS Flight Simulator had potential VR modes. Now MS just needs to make their own headset, or allow others (from HTC, etc) to work with Xbox..
@Richnj I followed Bungie very closely since 2005. If I recall correctly, Bungie wanted to own next IP and go multi platform. They were dead set on going independent, their ambition was to become publisher. They even published a mobile game. Things turned out differently with Activision deal unfortunately. MS made a 2 Halo game deal with them and setup 343 industries post Halo 3 launch. ODST and Reach did well for X360, and we all know how it turned out with 343.
Press A to interact - that right there tells me 343 don’t get VR and this wouldn’t have been great.
Halo in VR could be amazing though. And the sooner Xbox support VR the better for all VR
To date, I have spent exactly $0 on Halo Infinite.
A Halo VR release I'd buy in a heartbeat.
I'd like that on rails arcade halo to be in vr but I've only got psvr & that definitely wouldn't happen lol
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