If you ever thought about virtually wandering through Minecraft‘s Overworld in a VR headset, think again. Those days are over, at least from Microsoft’s perspective.
Microsoft’s latest update to Minecraft‘s Bedrock Edition, version 1.21.80, removes support for both virtual reality and Mixed Reality, Microsoft’s own take on AR that it killed off years ago. Now, Minecraft remains as a game that can be played on multiple consoles and platforms — just not VR.
Well, officially, that is. Vivecraft will allow Minecraft to continue, as a way to play the sandbox game on Oculus or Windows MR, according to the website. That version requires the original PC Java version of Minecraft, however.
To be fair, Microsoft signaled its plans in an October update last year. “Our ability to support VR/MR devices has come to an end, and will no longer be supported in updates after March of 2025, when you will receive your final update,” the company said. “After you receive the final update, you will still receive updates on your PC and be able to play without a VR/MR device.
“From this point on 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,” Microsoft said then. “You will no longer be able to use your VR/MR device with Minecraft as it will no longer be supported in the latest updates.”
Since it’s now May, Microsoft tacked on an additional grace period. But now it’s over, and another shovelful of dirt on the metaverse. And goodbye to the best demo I’ve ever witnessed.
Author: Mark Hachman, Senior Editor, PCWorld
Mark has written for PCWorld for the last decade, with 30 years of experience covering technology. He has authored over 3,500 articles for PCWorld alone, covering PC microprocessors, peripherals, and Microsoft Windows, among other topics. Mark has written for publications including PC Magazine, Byte, eWEEK, Popular Science and Electronic Buyers' News, where he shared a Jesse H. Neal Award for breaking news. He recently handed over a collection of several dozen Thunderbolt docks and USB-C hubs because his office simply has no more room.