Support for Xbox Wireless controllers is headed to Samsung Gear VR in October, Microsoft announced today, adding that Minecraft: Gear VR Edition will be the first compatible game to take advantage of the controller.
Microsoft has continuously manifested its commitment in offering a range of accessibility options for its players, most apparent in their Xbox wireless program, helping gamers connect their Xbox accessories and controllers wirelessly to Xbox Wireless-enabled PCs and the console itself. Just last month the company announced the first PC to come with Xbox wireless built-in.
The move to support Samsung Gear VR devices is part of that commitment. In an Xbox Wire post, Microsoft announced that the Xbox wireless controller will soon support controller-enabled games on the Gear VR. The first compatible game will be the Gear VR edition of Minecraft, and in the coming months Herobound, Spirit Champion, Omega Agent and End Space will follow suit.
"[W]e're working hard to make the Xbox Wireless Controller compatible with all controller-supported Gear VR games and future games too," Microsoft said.
If you happen to be attending Minecon, you'll get a chance to play Minecraft: Gear VR Edition using the Xbox wireless controller firsthand. Those who are unable to attend will have to wait until October when Microsoft pushes out the update for the game that will enable Xbox wireless controller support.
Before you can start playing Minecraft: Gear VR Edition using your Xbox wireless controller once the October update rolls out, you must first:
• Have the latest Minecraft: Gear VR Edition installed (PE version 0.16).
• Have an Xbox wireless controller (obviously) that supports Bluetooth.
• Have the latest Xbox wireless controller firmware (firmware version 3.1.1220.0).
The update will only support these Android devices: Galaxy S7, Galaxy S7 edge, Galaxy Note 5, Galaxy S6 edge+, Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 edge.
The forthcoming Xbox wireless controller support for Gear VR devices gives it a much more suitable control scheme. The devices at present don't have native controllers, as gameplay is contingent on the D-pad flanked awkwardly on the device. Sure, some games amble well even with just tapping and swiping, but the best experiences — emphasis on experiences because that's really the main selling point of virtual reality gameplay — are those that require a controller. Right now unofficial but acceptable third-party Bluetooth controllers are available for the Gear VR, but nothing says "legitimate" like the words "Xbox" and "Microsoft."
The Gear VR is powered by Oculus, and if you have the Minecraft: Windows 10 Edition, you're automatically entitled to a free download of the Oculus store version. This makes for a no-frills headfirst jump into virtual reality.
Mobile Virtual Reality is receiving a healthy dose of confidence from pundits and developers alike. Full-fledged virtual reality equipment are often perceived as bulky and expensive, and adapting VR over to mobile takes away the consumer disconnect to VR stemming from cost and set-up associated with the gameplay experience.
Mobile VR offers a great and relatively easier alternative by its association with cell phones and mobile devices alone. If people understand that VR can work on phones, too, ease of access and user-friendliness are concepts that become much easier and less daunting for the typical consumer to understand. Over a million people used the Samsung Gear VR in April, according to CNBC. Mobile VR is rapidly growing, with an expected 52 million VR headsets in enterprise and consumer use by 2020, according to research firm Forrester's estimate.
