Xbox boss Phil Spencer wants VR and traditional gaming to co-exist

In a recent interview with GameSpot, Xbox chief Phil Spencer spoke candidly about the industry's love affair with VR, revealing that, in the long term, he hopes traditional gaming doesn't get pushed to the side in favor of virtual reality experiences. 

"I love playing games in my family room with my kids. I love people coming together and watching what's happening on screen and laughing, and the kind of fun of what video games were always about," said Spencer. 

"That doesn't mean that can't happen in a kind of socially connected VR environment, but to me it would be too bad if all gaming became people with head mounted displays on, headphones on [...] for the sake of what gaming is, I don't think that should be the only way people play."

Although Microsoft doesn't have a dedicated VR project of its own, it has partnered with Oculus to let people to play Xbox One games through the Rift by utilizing Windows 10's streaming feature.

Microsoft is also developing its own augmented reality headset. Dubbed HoloLens, the device, revealed by the company back in January, creates a type of mixed reality by allowing wearers to see and manipulate holograms.