Xbox VR Headset Canceled For Now; New Microsoft Feature 'Suspend My Game' Helps Speed Up Download Time

Xbox was initially rumored to soon be debuting a Virtual Reality Headset for the console but was shot down by Microsoft, saying that it is not a focus by the company at the moment. However, on the other hand, Microsoft has focused Xbox on a new feature that would improve game download speeds with its beta called "Suspend My Game."

The popular gaming console has been around for more than 20 years now, and it has been a long-running rival of the PlayStation, as both companies battle it out for console supremacy in extreme gaming. Xbox has been behind the VR competition, particularly with the PS VR that was initially released for the PS4 but also has a working version for the PS5.

Earlier this year, Sony and PlayStation have already confirmed that the company is in the works to debut a new version of the PS VR that would focus itself on the PS5, with Xbox trailing behind the competition. However, it seems like the company's hands are full, particularly as it aims to upgrade Xbox Series S and X's features on its systems.

Xbox 'Suspend My Game' Beta Features Now Available

According to a discovery by Xbox users and shared via Twitter (Eden Marie @neonepiphay), a new feature called "Suspend My Game" appeared on Xbox's home page that allows improving download speeds. The feature is straightforward and direct, particularly as it aims to temporarily suspend games and make way for the downloaded ones.

While the opposite version of the feature (play the game while downloading others) was mostly used to pass time and allow gamers not to feel "bored" or anticipating for the download to finish, this is a nifty feature from Xbox. Here, users may not have to directly quit a game, rather suspend it for the time being, so that the downloads would be prioritized.

Moreover, suspending the game would help if users do not want to lose any progress in the said title, with the system simply alleviating the connection and prioritizing the downloads, may it be updates and the like. In this way, users would not have to wait for a game to finish the download and install longer, as they enjoy another title.

Microsoft: Xbox VR is Not Completely Shot Down, Only Set Aside

On the other hand, Microsoft is not completely killing the idea of an Xbox VR headset in future ventures, and according to IGN, it is simply the company focusing on other priorities at the moment for the console.

Additionally, Xbox Series S and X's "next-generation features" do not have the VR headset on their initial plans, hence not focusing on it.

Currently, the closest thing for VR on Xbox is via the Windows PC platform, with its experiments and testing on virtual reality for the computer gaming version of the company. This venture for computers also suggests that it could soon come for the Xbox, as the technology is already owned and used by the company for PC.

This article is owned by Tech Times

Written by Isaiah Alonzo