Minecraft will officially stop supporting all virtual reality headsets after March 2025, according to an update posted to the Bedrock changelog. The update means Minecraft will no longer support devices like the Oculus Rift, Windows Mixed Reality headsets, or the Meta Quest (through Quest Link), as reported earlier by UploadVR.

Last month, Minecraft developer Mojang also announced that the game would end support for PlayStation VR headsets next March. When Minecraft’s spring update rolls around, Mojang says you can “keep building in your worlds, and your Marketplace purchases (including Minecoins) will continue to be available on a non-VR/MR graphics device such as a computer monitor.”

As pointed out by UploadVR, you’ll still be able to play Minecraft in VR on PC by using the Java version of the game — either by downloading a VR mod like Vivecraft or using a standalone VR port such as QuestCraft.

Minecraft initially launched on Samsung’s Gear VR headsets in 2016 before adding support for the Oculus Rift, and PlayStation VR. Before ending support for VR, Mojang also shut down Minecraft Earth, its augmented-reality mobile app, in 2020.

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[–] [email protected] -2 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) (11 children)

Probably because VR gaming is basically dead. It never really took off and it's a waste of time and money for them to devote resources to it. Probably like 0.1% of users are in VR.

That being said, part of why it's dead is because no developers want to take chances on it, so it's a self fulfilling prophecy. Valve was the last one to gamble on it.

[–] Mistic 12 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) (10 children)

That's not even accurate.

If VR gaming is dead, then what does it say about Linux with about 5 times less users? Like, a low poly game about monkeys has a daily playerbase of a million people there. Mind you, Mincraft has 1 to 1.5 million. Not bad for a "dead" platform. Also, Valve isn't even the last one to enter the market.

I think what you're actually trying to say is that it's too niche, which it absolutely is.

[–] linearchaos 6 points 1 month ago (3 children)

It's math. The amount of money they're spending on supporting the VR platforms is less than the amount of money they make for the people on those platforms. They probably have to dedicate several multi-person teams to manage the clients.

Linux has some pretty good hedging going on with steam deck.

[–] Mistic 2 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Well, I've decided to check the financials of a couple of VR companies since your counterpoint sounded reasonable. The only one working at a loss is Meta. I could argue their business model is in Death Valley right now. After all, they have major capital expenses, which aren't easily covered unless you have a big userbase.

But that's their VR sector. Overall, Meta's profitable and can easily cover all the expenses several times over.

Also, what do you mean by "they have to dedicate several multi-person teams to manage the clients?" Firstly, who's "they," secondly, if I understood you right, that sounds prepostrous, unless you're talking B2B.

[–] linearchaos 2 points 1 month ago (1 children)

I'm not talking about VR companies I'm talking about Mojang.

The teams that Mojang keeps to work on the platforms cost more than the income from the people using those clients.

If you make a game, and you decide to support Mac, and Mac only brings in $500 a month but you have to pay somebody $3,000 a month to maintain the client, You're losing $2,500 a month for that particular market segment.

Nothing says you have to get rid of those people or that client, But it's a fiscally sound decision.