Microsoft’s Xbox Wireless Controller
Samsung's Gear VR headset is not bundled with a controller and it is required for the best virtual reality games including "Minecraft" developed by Microsoft-owned Mojang. Xbox Wireless Controller is shipped with the new Xbox One S console and includes built-in Bluetooth connectivity for PCs and Android devices. The tech giant has just launched a software update for the wireless controller that can be activated from an Xbox One console or Windows 10 PC.
"Minecraft" for Gear VR is also required. That is the only game that supports the wireless controller now but Microsoft guarantees all future controller-supported Gear VR games such as "End Space," "Herobound," "Omega Agent," and "Spirit Champion" will work with the Xbox accessory.
Navin Kumar is a Senior Marketing Manager at Microsoft. He explained "Minecraft: VR Edition" allows gamers to build, explore, and battle from a new perspective.
Oculus Rift and HTC Vive have the top specs among VR headsets. Meanwhile, the $99 Gear VR works with the newest Samsung smartphones, such as Galaxy 7 and Galaxy 7 Edge, while the $400 PlayStation VR to ship later this year will work with Sony's PS4.
Kumar shared that Microsoft is gradationally allowing gamers to play video games anywhere and on any device. It seems to be keeping that promise by expanding the Xbox Wireless ecosystem to Xbox One and Windows 10 PCs, and adding the Xbox Wireless Controller to Samsung's mobile devices.
This is not the first teaming up between Microsoft and Facebook. The Oculus Rift is bundled with an Xbox One Controller without Bluetooth, and it is likely Oculus will team up with Microsoft for the Xbox Scorpio to launch by the holiday season 2017, according to The Verge.
In related news, Crystal Dynamics has added new content to "Rise of the Tomb Raider" for PS4, according to Gamereactor UK. The new game featuring Lara Croft celebrates the franchise's 20th anniversary.
This new "Tomb Raider" game includes an extra hour of gameplay titled Blood Ties. It can be played using the PSVR headset or without the VR accessory. The title also is getting a survival horror mode named Lara's Nightmare, and an online multiplayer mode named Endurance.
Here's a review of Xbox Elite Wireless Controller:
