Have you ever thought quietly to yourself while playing Minecraft that it would be approximately 100 times more enjoyable if it supported the use of VR? If so, then Microsoft has perhaps made public the best news you’ll ever receive.
From today, all owners of the Minecraft: Windows 10 Beta Edition can download an update that introduces Oculus Rift compatibility, making its blocky, pixelated world even more immersive and addictive than ever before.
Speaking on Microsoft’s Xbox Wire blog, Minecraft AR/VR developer Mike McGrath said:
Last fall, we announced that we were working with our partners at Oculus to develop Minecraft for VR. Finally, the time has come where we are ready to have everyone experience Minecraft in a whole new way through virtual reality on Oculus Rift. Starting today, as a thank you to our community, we’ll be releasing a free update to Minecraft: Windows 10 Edition Beta which will enable gameplay using Oculus Rift devices. We’d like to welcome you to the game all over again, because it’s a fantastic new experience in VR, even if you’re a Minecraft veteran. For new and experienced players, we hope the VR experience in Minecraft: Windows 10 Edition Beta will illuminate just how powerful, evocative, and utterly immersive VR can really be.
Along with VR functionality, McGrath also confirms that the update introduces mouse and keyboard support along with the ability to use the Xbox One gamepad with the Oculus headset.
If any existing games franchise is popular enough to consolidate VR technology’s position as an everyday, must-have piece of kit, you’ve got to believe that Minecraft is one such example. After all, last we heard, the sandbox title had sold over 100 million copies across the globe.
