In a move that could reshape the virtual reality (VR) gaming landscape, Microsoft and Meta have announced a collaboration to produce a limited-edition Meta Quest headset inspired by the iconic Xbox brand. This partnership marks a significant milestone in the companies’ ongoing efforts to integrate their respective gaming ecosystems.
According to official statements, the co-branded headset will bear the unmistakable Xbox aesthetics and design cues, catering to the vast community of Xbox enthusiasts. While specific details remain scarce, Meta founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg teased the possibility of the headset being bundled with an Xbox controller and access to the popular Xbox Game Pass subscription service.
This collaboration builds upon the companies’ existing partnership, which brought Xbox Cloud Gaming to the Meta Quest 3 last year, allowing users to play titles like Halo Infinite on the VR headset through a virtual 2D screen.
The joint venture is part of Meta’s broader vision for a more open and collaborative computing platform for the metaverse. In addition to the Xbox-branded headset, the company has revealed plans to open up its Meta Horizon operating system to developers, potentially paving the way for cross-platform app store functionality and partnerships with other tech giants like Google.
One such collaboration already in the works is with ASUS, which is reportedly developing a high-performance gaming headset powered by the Meta Horizon OS, further expanding the company’s reach in the VR gaming space.
While the specifics of the Xbox-Meta collaboration remain under wraps, the partnership signals a significant shift in the VR landscape. Microsoft, which has previously focused on business applications with its HoloLens technology, is now poised to make a significant foray into consumer VR gaming through this strategic alliance.
The move also positions Meta as a potential leading platform for VR gaming, leveraging its existing Quest hardware and the appeal of the Xbox brand to attract a broader gaming audience. As the metaverse concept continues to evolve, collaborations like this could shape the future of immersive gaming experiences.
As anticipation builds for the release of the Xbox-branded Meta Quest headset, gamers and industry observers alike eagerly await further details on pricing, specifications, and potential integration with existing Xbox and Meta ecosystems.
