Microsoft VR Xbox. A Stunning Collection Of VR Games Available on Xbox Game Pass

Microsoft metaverse vs. metaverse: What’s the difference?

The metaverse is a virtual world that incorporates various technologies, including virtual reality (VR), artificial intelligence (AI), augmented reality (AR) and cryptocurrencies, to allow users to dive into (through VR) an imaginative or bring an immersive experience into their world (via AR). There are already many metaverses, such as those found in virtual worlds such as Decentraland, and digital game platforms such as The Sandbox.

Customers can enter the metaverse through virtual reality accessories like VR headsets, closing the apparent divide between digital and physical realities. For instance, in a virtual reality world, you may play games, go to the doctor, go to work, watch concerts, browse the shelves of a grocery store and much more without ever leaving your (physical) house.

In addition to VR, improving the relationship between the physical and digital worlds necessitates a positive level of machine intelligence, which is why some of the metaverse experiences require artificial intelligence. For instance, AI can help with natural language processing (i.e., the automatic computational processing of human languages) so that machines and robots can understand what users are saying.

Virtual items can be embedded in the actual environment using augmented reality technology. Sight, sound, touch and motion are all sensory markers that feed a single conceptual picture of the arena in your brain. This can be done with very little visual constancy with AR as long as virtual components are powerfully recognized geographically and temporally in your environment.

While several corporations have been working on various aspects of the metaverse in recent years, internet-native companies such as (now Meta) and Microsoft have taken the lead. But, why companies are investing millions in the metaverse?

Jeffries (an investment bank) believes that investing in the metaverse will be similar to investing in the early days of the internet. over, according to Grayscale Investments, the metaverse possibility extends far beyond gaming. It is expected to be a trillion-dollar income opportunity encompassing hardware, social commerce, digital events, advertising and creator monetization.

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg rebranded the firm by changing ’s name to Meta because he believes that the concept of a digital future is vital to enhance the user experience. Furthermore, the metaverse will most likely be accessible via Smart glasses with augmented reality, virtual reality headsets, and limited desktop and mobile applications.

This article aims to explain if Microsoft has a metaverse, what ‘s metaverse is and make a comparison between the two.

How brands can enter the metaverse universe?

The metaverse’s immersive environment isn’t simply for consumer-facing businesses. Instead, several business applications of metaverse range from teaching future surgeons to providing product demonstrations to collaborating with distant relatives.

The digital landscape, in particular, necessitates intellectual curiosity, so brands should always be in a test-and-learn mindset. The metaverse could be the next evolution of how people connect, talk and transact on the internet. Here’s what brands can do to enter the metaverse world:

Discover your target audience

Do some research on the customer needs that remain unfulfilled and how you can fill the gap with the use of technologies like AR and VR. Also, figure out if customers are interested in being a metaverse or not.

Conduct a competitor analysis

Watch out for what your peer firms do in the metaverse space and how you can introduce a differentiated product. Other things to find out include the unique selling proposition of your brand and why customers should choose your product over the competitors’.

Product research

At this stage, you need to find an answer to various questions like what can you test in the metaverse space to see if more sustainable products exist? How can you enhance the customer experience with your products/services? What features will your product offer?

Prepare for metaverse launch and maintain the equilibrium

Involve your research team in formulating a strategy for how and when your brand should emerge in the metaverse. However, if you’re already in it, be aware that all new areas include risk and reward; and unpredictable things may happen. The good news is that the current pandemic has made us all more adaptable than we’ve ever been. over, profit is the return for bearing the risk.

and the metaverse

‘s rebranding as Meta Platforms, or Meta, for short, came as a surprise to regular consumers of the app, but Mark Zuckerberg, the founder of. claimed that the renaming was to signal that the company was branching out and was linked to more than one product. He added that Meta better represents what the company is working toward.

The name change follows an announcement that the business aims to hire 10,000 people in the EU to construct the Metaverse, a move reminiscent of Google’s 2015 organizational restructure into Alphabet. But why did changed its name to Meta?

‘s rebranding is a great and forward-thinking move for the corporation. It focuses on the emerging metaverse notion of virtual communities driven by AR and VR technologies. ‘s current services, including. Messenger, Instagram, WhatsApp and Oculus, will be included in Meta.

However, one problem with Meta’s attempt to be the sole firm supporting the metaverse is its significant role in our lives if its vision of the future becomes a reality. In recent months, the firm has struggled with outages on its core apps, which have rendered significant portions of the world unable to interact. The ramifications of such an event in an all-pervasive VR reality like the metaverse might be enormous.

Microsoft and the metaverse

Microsoft is also among the companies leading the metaverse technology. Microsoft, the Xbox’s owner, has been investing in games for a long time. Furthermore, Microsoft has disclosed that it would acquire Activision (the maker of video games such as Candy Crush and Call of Duty) blizzard — what does it mean? And does Microsoft own Activision?

The Microsoft-Activision deal portrays that people will be spending more and more time in the digital realm, and gaming will be at the heart of metaverse-powered virtual worlds. Additionally, Satya Nadella (Microsoft’s CEO) believes that if the metaverse is an immersive environment, gaming already offers users such an experience through titles like Minecraft (Microsoft-owned) and games-making studios such as Mojang.

In addition to the above, Microsoft will receive immediate access to Activision’s 390 million monthly users and existing game titles. According to research firm Newzoo, gaming, at present, is a 180 billion worldwide market, and Activision’s titles and talent will aid the firm in competing against gaming services Meta’s Oculus and Sony’s Playstation. But, what is Microsoft’s metaverse called?

Mesh, a platform that will enable Teams, and allow people in different physical locations to send chats, join virtual meetings, collaborate on shared documents, and more, is Microsoft’s metaverse. Mesh expands on Team features like Together mode and Presenter mode, making remote and hybrid meetings more immersive and collaborative.

Mesh for Teams will be available on various devices ranging from laptops, regular smartphones to mixed-reality headsets. It also serves as a pathway to the metaverse, a persistent digital realm populated with digital twins of places, people and things.

Additionally, Microsoft’s augmented reality headset and platform, Hololens, is already impressive. Manufacturing workers at companies such as Daimler, BMW and Ford benefit from the platform, which allows them to learn quickly, track, eliminate errors and improve process quality.

Microsoft intends Metaverse apps to be used in business, education, training and entertainment. These real-world requirements can be upgraded and reinvented using avatars, AR and VR.

Microsoft metaverse vs metaverse compared

Microsoft has progressed beyond considering the development of reports and records to allow collaboration on such documents. is built on the idea of allowing people to form connections. While this is extremely important and necessary for advancement in both professional and personal life, it is not without flaws.

Microsoft’s vision for the metaverse looks a lot like ‘s. However, there are significant differences such as ’s greater concern with internet-based social media relationships, and Microsoft’s sharper FOCUS on work.

The (Meta) concept is more closely aligned with the sci-fi future form, a far-off future in which people spend a significant amount of their lives immersed in colorful virtual realities. Microsoft has dependably performed admirably in this quest, and their collaboration and utility instruments remain the preferred option in the workplace.

Microsoft is taking a hierarchical approach, incorporating their metaverse concept into their project contributions like Mesh for Teams and associating people in mixed reality through work. In contrast, Meta points to a bottom-up approach, bringing all customers into a metaverse that can then grow into a place for both play and work.

Both organizations’ virtual worlds slant toward their unique ability; Microsoft understands the enterprise aspect, while Meta understands the social element. Because they’re both fundamentally the same, it’s tough to say which of these dreams is more logical.

The section for Microsoft Teams will consist of a number of pre-assembled vibrant locations that may be used in various scenarios, ranging from gatherings to social blenders. Microsoft envisions that, in the long run, organizations will want to create colorful custom environments, such as the Nth Floor with Mesh, and bring them to Teams.

Horizon Home (the primary thing on the Quest headset) is ‘s early concept for a metaverse headquarters. It might allow your friends to join you in Horizon Home, where you can hang out, watch videos and jump into games and apps together. Meta will also create virtual residences known as “Skyline Homes,” where you will be able to hang out and pursue your interests with companions, friends and others with the same enthusiasm. It’s similar to Roblox, but more colorful.

However, Microsoft‘s Mesh for Teams will begin with pre-fabricated colorful meeting places and social blenders. It will also enable organizations to create metaverses within Teams where these symbols can mix and mingle, collaborate on projects and have fortunate experiences that stimulate growth.

From an innovation perspective, Microsoft sees Teams as a blueprint for the metaverse, where businesses may create their own virtual places and hold a multiverse of realities together, rather than controlling its own metaverse, which seems to be the aspiration of Meta/. Enterprises can use application programming interfaces to build their metaverse and have a consistent identity across these metaverses.

A summary of differences between Microsoft vs metaverse is outlined in the table below:

Other players in the metaverse space

A few companies, led by entertainment and gaming giants, have also entered the virtual world (the metaverse). For instance, the entertainment giant Disney experiments with headsetless augmented reality so that theme park visitors may ride through the metaverse soon. During the last week of December 2021, Disney received approval for a patent (virtual-world simulator) to develop tailored, interactive attractions for theme park visitors.

In addition, the system would track individual park visitors to customize projections rather than being built for bulk enjoyment. For example, one family may see Donald Duck at the entrance, while another may connect with Snow White and Cinderella.

Another player that is investing in metaverse is Roblox, which is developing a platform that allows users and developers to construct digital worlds. In addition, the company is concentrating on future commerce and business transactions on the platform, which has its own virtual economy fueled by the Robux currency.

Epic Games, the developer of the computer game Fortnite, has expanded beyond its basic shooting game to include social events such as virtual music concerts and dance parties. Users can dress their avatars in different clothes and create their own islands and games for a fee.

Autodesk, a Cloud software company, creates tools that architects and engineers use to design and build structures and products. Its software is also used to create virtual worlds for pleasure and gaming. Furthermore, Snapchat has been developing unique avatars and AR filters to overlay digital characteristics in the actual world.

Nike is collaborating with Roblox to create Nikeland, a virtual reality experience. In Nikeland, users can customize their avatars with Nike clothes and sneakers and access Nike arenas, fields and buildings to engage in activities like tag.

On the other hand, Google has remained tight-lipped about its metaverse aspirations thus far. Similarly, Amazon has been quiet about its VR aspirations, but it might be a significant player in how we shop in the metaverse.

How will the metaverse shape the future of work?

Metaverse technology has the potential to create new and imaginative methods for people to collaborate and work over the web. However, executives must guarantee that this vision of work does not result in employee burnout due to spending too much time immersed in virtual worlds.

The goal of hybrid working will be to achieve a balance between the virtual and physical worlds. To maintain healthy metaverse working practices, HR will need to design new hybrid working policies. They’ll also need to include metaverse expertise into an organization’s governance structure so that people aren’t subjected to dehumanizing management and over-monitoring techniques.

Furthermore, because of the nature of metaverses, the amount and quality of personal data collected and analyzed will grow exponentially. This will necessitate the hiring of metaverse analysts who can supplement strategic decision-making with artificial intelligence and deep analytics.

‘s own research indicates that consumers are hesitant about fully merging their social media presence with their professional lives in such an intrusive way. As a result, businesses will need to understand the role of health and safety in immersive digital environments, necessitating demonstrating that data is secure and unhackable by the next generation of quantum computers.

Hence, it is clear that organizations that can attract a new generation of talented transdisciplinary metaverse professionals by focusing on the human dimension and the technological element by creating purposeful innovation cultures based on a more humanized and conscious approach to work will prosper in the future.

A Stunning Collection Of VR Games Available on Xbox Game Pass

and more gamers are choosing to play VR games through Xbox Game Pass. Of course, subscribers to the service have a wide range of choices. But not all of them are worth your time. However, we have to admit that the collection of games on Xbox Game Pass is remarkable, despite the fact that VR titles can only be played on a PC.

Microsoft Flight Simulator and Star Wars: Squadrons are two of the most immersive VR games available on Game Pass. However, your PC should have enough power to run these games. F1 22, Hitman: World of Assassination, and No Man’s Sky are some other notable VR titles available on Game Pass. They all boast native VR support.

Gizchina News of the week

A Reddit user, u/lunchanddinner, shared a list of not only the Game Pass VR titles that are natively compatible with VR but also the Game Pass games that are compatible with VR modifications. Plus, the list we are talking about includes games that were previously on Game Pass and still support VR. This list is a great resource for Game Pass subscribers looking to learn more about the VR games available on the platform.

The list above is quite astonishing. So we look forward to your Комментарии и мнения владельцев to let us know which ones you have already played.

How to play VR games

Players with a Meta Quest 2 don’t need a cable connection to their PC to play VR games. The Air Link feature allows wireless communication and greater mobility. This is a great feature for gamers who want to use VR headsets without the hassle of wires and cables.

Xbox Cloud Gaming provides an option for people who do not have a powerful enough PC to run VR games. Using a VR headset, gamers can play video games on a computer screen that simulates virtual reality.

Argam Artashyan

Writing tech-related content for more than 15 years helps him always be aware of the latest trends in the industry and keep his students up to date at the university where he teaches.

How to play Xbox on Oculus Quest 2?

Don’t know how to play Xbox on Oculus Quest 2 (Meta Quest)? Gaming enthusiasts from around the world have enjoyed countless hours of entertainment with the Xbox console series for years now.

With the advancement of technology, developers are constantly trying to make gaming more accessible and easier for consumers. You can, for example, stream Xbox games to your computer or smartphone. Interestingly, Xbox Cloud gaming allows you to play Xbox games on your mobile device without a console.

As a result of all the added features and incompatibilities, VR enthusiasts are also asking: Can you also enjoy Xbox gaming with the Oculus Quest 2, and if yes then how to play Xbox on Oculus Quest 2?

With the Oculus Quest 2 headsets, you can play Xbox games without a console via Xbox Cloud gaming, or you can even easily stream games to your headset.

How to play Xbox on Oculus Quest 2?

Take a look at the different ways you can play Xbox games on your Oculus Quest or Quest 2.

Play Xbox Games on Oculus Quest 2 via Cloud Gaming

It is possible to play Xbox games on any Android device (version 6.0) that is compatible with Bluetooth using the first method, Xbox Cloud gaming.

The Xbox Game Pass application can be installed on the Oculus Quest and Quest 2 headsets.

Install Xbox Game Pass on an Android phone

The Game Pass APK can be installed on your Android smartphone by connecting it via a USB cable to your Quest / Quest 2 headset.

• Start with enabling “Developer Mode” on your headset.
• Now on your phone, install Bugjaeger Mobile ADB.
• Ensure that your phone is in “developer mode” and that USB debugging is enabled.
• Go back on your phone and download Xbox Game Pass.
• Now connect your phone to Oculus Quest with the help of a USB cable.
• Open the Bugjaeger app and allow the headset connection as well.
• In Bugjaeger, open the third “Packages” tab.
• Now to install an APK, click on “”.
• Now locate the Game Pass APK.
• Install the APK on your headset.
• You should also remove the headset and the cable from your phone.
• Pair your controllers with your headset.
• In the headset, go to “Apps” and select “Unknown Sources”.
• Once Xbox Game Pass has been launched, log in with your credentials.

As a result, you can now use your Quest 2 headset to play Xbox games.

Learn how to play Xbox on Oculus Quest 2 in this quick video.

Use PC / Mac to Install Xbox Game Pass

in this method to sideload the Xbox Game Pass onto your headset, you will use your PC or Mac instead of your phone. Sideloading apps using this method is probably the most common way to do so.

• Start by setting up SideQuest on your Mac/PC.
• Now install Xbox Game Pass on your device.
• Now connect your device to Quest using a USB cable.
• In SideQuest, click on “Install APK”.
• Install the Game Pass app on your headset.
• Remove the USB cable.
• Pair your controllers with Quest 2.
• In the headset, go to “Apps” and locate “Unknown Sources”.
• Log in with your Xbox Game Pass credentials once you have completed the steps above.

Play Xbox Games by Streaming

Your Xbox One console is required to stream content to your PC. In Quest / Quest 2 headsets, you can mirror your PC desktop using the Virtual Desktop application.

• On your PC install Xbox Console Companion.
• Allow streaming on your Xbox one.
• Now launch the Xbox Console Companion.
• Make sure your Xbox can be streamed to your PC.
• Download and install Virtual Desktop on your Mac/PC.
• Now on your Quest 2, install Virtual Desktop Client.
• Make sure your desktop screen is mirrored with your Quest / Quest 2 screen.
• You can now use Xbox Console Companion to start streaming.

How to connect the Xbox controller to Oculus Quest 2?

The controller can only be used with a few Quest apps by going to Quest’s Settings.

• Open the Oculus app.
• You can easily pair a gamepad by using Rift S and Touch.
• The controller can then be added by following the on-screen instructions.

Conclusion

Xbox One games work great on the Oculus Quest 2 and you don’t have to worry about any compatibility issues. All of your favorite Xbox One games work just as they did before, with no special tweaks required.

If you’ve never tried playing Xbox games on a VR headset before, this is a great way to do it and see how much fun you can have. We hope you enjoyed reading our guide on how to play Xbox on Oculus Quest 2.

FAQs

Can you play games on Oculus Quest 2 without a PC?

Yes, Operating the Oculus Quest 2 does not require a PC. However, it will open up an entire library of PC-only content when hooked up to one.

Can you play Xbox in VR?

The Xbox Series S/X doesn’t have VR capability, so it’s not possible to take a regular Xbox game and play it on your Quest 2. However, all you need is the Microsoft GamePass Ultimate PC subscription to access some VR games there.

Microsoft Xbox One X vs Sony Playstation 4 Pro: Which is best?

Does the powerful new Xbox unseat Sony’s souped-up PlayStation 4?

No, it’s not yet time for the Playstation 5 or the Xbox… Two? However, Sony and Microsoft aren’t content to let their four-year-old consoles linger as gaming PCs get cheaper and more powerful.

Last year’s Xbox One S added 4K media support and upscaling for games, but it’s the brand new Xbox One X that truly elevates the gaming experience. With a huge processing boost within, the new console delivers native and upscaled 4K gaming and a level of detail and performance previously unseen on home consoles.

Of course, Sony’s own Playstation 4 Pro has been out for a year now, and it offers a nice step up from the standard PlayStation 4 with its own mix of native and upscaled 4K gaming. Microsoft’s console offers more power, but does that mean it’s the overall best choice to stick under your 4K TV? Read on to find out.

Power: X Marks the Spot

You’ll find a lot of the same games on both the Playstation 4 and Xbox One thanks to third-party developers, and if the upcoming release lists are any indication, that will definitely continue ahead into the future with the Xbox One X and PlayStation 4 Pro, as well.

But when it comes to exclusives, Microsoft just hasn’t had the same kind of winning streak as Sony this generation. Exclusive games are what define a console most of all, and games like Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End, Horizon: Zero Dawn, Bloodborne, The Last of Us Remastered, Ratchet Clank, and Persona 5 are incredible reasons to pick a Playstation 4.

And there’s still much more ahead, with games like God of War, Detroit: Become Human, Days Gone, Spider-Man, and Shadow of the Colossus on the horizon.

Look, the Xbox One has had some great exclusives, including Forza Horizon 3, Ori and the Blind Forest, Gears of War 4, Forza Motorsport 7, and Killer Instinct, but Microsoft hasn’t had the same kind of consistent flow of greatness that Sony has rounded up. And Microsoft’s upcoming slate isn’t really blowing any minds. We’ll certainly play Crackdown 3, Sea of Thieves, and the Ori sequel, but it’s a fairly thin slate of exciting exclusives. PC smash PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds is one upcoming Xbox One X port that might turn some PlayStation 4 owners’ heads, but it’s only a timed exclusive: it’ll hit the PlayStation 4 Pro eventually.

Personal preference will drive this category, of course, and some of you might love Microsoft’s franchises enough to call this one in their favour. But to us, the PlayStation 4 has clearly, without a doubt, had the better generation when it comes to one-of-a-kind experiences. Some multiplatform games will look a bit nicer on the Xbox One X, but we think the PlayStation 4 Pro still has the better overall selection by a fair margin.

Winner: Sony Playstation 4 Pro

Media: Xbox brings options

Both the Playstation 4 Pro and Xbox One X are 4K streaming champs, capable of outputting supported content from Netflix, YouTube, and other services at 3840×2160 pixels. It’s stunning stuff, especially when you’re watching Breaking Bad, Stranger Things, or one of the other shows or movies in the ever-increasing 4K pile.

But when it comes to physical 4K media, which can look even better without the little imperfections of internet-delivered video, the Playstation 4 Pro just can’t hang. Sony opted not to put an Ultra HD Blu-ray player in the console, which means it can’t run the 4K-capable discs. You’re stuck with the standard 1080p Blu-ray discs.

Microsoft did put a 4K Blu-ray player in, however: it’s in last year’s Xbox One S, and it’s in the Xbox One X, as well. For the hardcore sort that still buy movies on discs and want the ultimate in picture and audio quality, the Xbox One X provides that. Streaming will satisfy the majority of users, we imagine, but the die-hards have more options with an Xbox One X.

Winner: Microsoft Xbox One X

Compatibility: Backwards is better

We assumed that the launch of the Xbox One X would see Microsoft finally outline its virtual reality console plans, whether that meant showcasing its own headset or perhaps announcing compatibility with the Oculus Rift. After all, if the PlayStation 4 Pro can handle VR, then surely the more powerful Xbox One X can do the same.

But that didn’t happen: Microsoft didn’t mention Xbox-powered VR at E3 this summer or anytime since, which means the only console VR experience available right now comes from the Playstation 4.

We ran into some technical hitches with the Playstation VR headset during our review testing, but by and large, we’ve otherwise had a solid experience with it – and the list of worthwhile games keeps growing over time. It works well with the PlayStation 4 and slightly better on a PlayStation 4 Pro, and in any case, it’s not like you’ll be experiencing VR on an Xbox One X anytime soon.

Winner: Sony Playstation 4 Pro

Verdict: Better games or better visuals?

Let’s sum it all up. The Xbox One X has more power, better graphics (when games take advantage of that extra power) and backwards compatibility. The PS Pro has the better exclusives and virtual reality. Oh, and it’s also £100 cheaper, at £339 vs £449. Plus you usually get a free game bundled in with the Playstation.

So which should you buy? Well it’s actually quite simple – if you’ve got a 4K TV and want to really get your money’s worth from it, you buy an Xbox One X. It’ll give you the best gaming experience out there right now, and will also let you watch UHD Blu-rays.

And if you haven’t got a 4K TV? Then you buy a Playstation 4 Pro. Well, unless you throw the Playstation 4 Slim into the mix as well, but that’s another story…

Xbox Game Studios’ Top Executive on Hollywood’s Video Games Renaissance and His Hesitation Toward AR/VR

It did take a while for the studios to pick up that this was kind of a phenomenon, Matt Booty says about the industry’s growing interest in video game adaptations.

Matt Booty, the head of Microsoft’s Xbox Game Studios.

Courtesy of Microsoft/Xbox

As Microsoft faces legal setbacks to its proposed acquisition of Activision Blizzard, the company’s Xbox games division is still pushing ahead with its in-house studio game releases, including the highly anticipated title Starfield that’s set for a September release date. The space-themed epic will be the first new IP from Bethesda Game Studios, the developer behind hit franchises Fallout and The Elder Scrolls, in 25 years and serve as the studio’s first major work since joining Xbox in 2021 as part of a 7.5 billion acquisition.

Leading Microsoft’s in-house gaming division is Matt Booty, who oversees a portfolio of 23 studios and some of the largest franchises in gaming. The Hollywood Reporter sat down with Booty following the Xbox Games Showcase this weekend to discuss the video game renaissance happening in Hollywood and his thoughts on emerging technology like AR, VR and Cloud gaming.

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We love the Hollywood angle here, so I’m thinking about those film and TV adaptations. Starfield could potentially be an easy example. Is something in the works?

I don’t have anything to share around there on Starfield, but I love your point that the worlds that we create in games, the characters that we create … people build entire digital hobbies around and invest hundreds of hours in [them], so it’s cool to see linear media, as we call it, recognize that.

We have our Halo TV series with Paramount; we have season one and we’re shooting season two now. We’ve got the Minecraft movie coming up with Jason Momoa. We just recently announced that we’ve got the Gears of War franchise with Netflix and we hired the writer who was the writer on the Dune movies, [Jon Spaihts], to work on, which is pretty exciting. I take that as a vote of their confidence in the franchise. And then there’s some other things that we’ve got going on as well that I can’t, you know, they’re not public yet, but there’s a lot there.

Hollywood seems to have a renewed appreciation of video game IP, especially with recent successes like The Last of Us and things like that. How has the experience working with studios changed over time? Are they getting involved earlier in the creation process?

I have had the privilege of being in this industry for a while. Prior to coming to Xbox, I was at a place in Chicago called Midway Games. One of the things we made was Mortal Kombat, and obviously, way long ago, there were many movies and even a live-action series and an animated series. It did take a while for the studios to pick up that this was kind of a phenomenon, and I think now we certainly have people that are interested in working with us early and being able to see IP.

The thing for us that’s important, and I think what our game teams would say, is that you have to go prove out the game first before you can go explore movies and TV, right? One of the things about games that’s a little bit different from movies and TV is that we do all of our iteration mostly at the end. If you think about a movie or a TV series, so much happens with the script and treatment, and it’s all done up front, and by the time you’re shooting on stage, you pretty much know what you’re making. Games are very different in that we have to build so much before we even know what we’ve got and before we can start iterating, and so I think our teams just want to make sure that first and foremost, we’ve built a great game, that we’ve found something that resonates with game players. And then that gives us permission to then go and explore, does that IP or is that franchise capable of going on [to be a film or TV show]?

There’s more traditional Hollywood talent coming into gaming; Keanu [Reeves] and Idris Elba [both have their likeness in the upcoming Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty game]. How does bringing in this more “mainstream” talent factor into how you do marketing and producing?

Anytime we’ve got a high-profile character in a game, somebody that could have voice acting or even a likeness, we certainly spend a lot of time looking at those possibilities.

We don’t have a prescribed approach to that. The studios have a lot of creative freedom to go pursue what they want to do there in terms of how they bring licensed music into the game, how they bring celebrities into the game, how they bring actors into the game, known or unknown. It’s really up to them in the creative process.

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What are your thoughts on the expansion into AR, VR? Other studios have been really diving head-on into that, but based on the showcase that we saw, that’s feeling more on the back burner [for Xbox].

I think for us, it’s just a bit of wait until there’s an audience there. We’re very fortunate that we have got these big IPs that have turned into ongoing franchises with big communities. We have 10 games that have achieved over 10 million players life-to-date, which is a pretty big accomplishment, but that’s the kind of scale that we need to see success for the game and it’s just, it’s not quite there yet with AR, VR.

Cloud gaming is a huge advancement for Microsoft and Xbox Game Studios. Different companies have taken different approaches to Cloud gaming; [Xbox is] still in beta mode, Playstation/Sony is diving into this as well. But places like Google, for example, they shut down their Cloud gaming service. Why do you feel like this is still an avenue that you want to pursue?

For us, to be clear, it is a very, very small market. I’m not even sure you would call it a market yet, in fact. It’s very small usage and very small audience.

How big is the audience?

We’ve got 150 million active players across first-party [games] every month. It’s just not even at that scale. So for us, it’s something that we consider almost more experimental that we’re trying out to see how it works. We just announced it. We’ve signed some great partnerships with NVIDIA and announced some other partnerships. So for us, it comes back to the content, which is really my FOCUS.

My teams have done an awful lot to make sure that we support touch interface and touch first so [the games] can be played on touch-first devices. But again, that content that we’re streaming is our frontline content. We’re not building anything specific for that. I think there’s still a lot of economic issues to work out in terms of the cost as well. So in a weird way, it ties back a bit to your AR/VR question, and it’s something that we feel we need to be up on being involved with the technology. We have some great partners that we’re giving our content to, but for me, it comes back to the content and focusing on things that have scale.

Never say never, but it doesn’t sound like a Cloud gaming–specific title or franchise is coming in the future.

There’s a lot of things that can be done when your game knows that there is a central server that’s running in a bigger Cloud, there’s gameplay things you could explore. That’s a little bit of our job as first party is to think about what are some of those forward-looking, experimental things we could do with Cloud, but to me, that has more to do with what are the kinds of games you could make if you knew you had access to a lot of computing power that was off of your computer, off a console, as opposed to just a streaming scenario. Those are things that we’re looking at, but I think it’s a broader definition of what Cloud gaming can be.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.