Minecraft’s player base has exploded since the game’s beta release in 2009. As one of the most popular games in video game history, many would expect the hit sandbox game to cater to as many fans as possible. This has been true in the past, but Minecraft will lose a crucial part of its gaming community in March 2025.
Most people play Minecraft on either PC or console, though mobile and VR iterations of the game do exist. Apparently, Mojang Studios has deemed their virtual reality player base too small for sustainability, as Minecraft will no longer support VR systems starting March 2025.
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Minecraft's Support of VR Explained
Minecraft started supporting virtual reality systems in 2016 for the Oculus VR. The game then expanded to support PlayStation’s virtual reality consoles and currently also supports Oculus Rift, Meta Quest, and Windows Mixed Reality headsets.
However, as announced by Mojang in part of the changelog for Minecraft’s 1.21.40 Bedrock update, the game will no longer support VR devices after March 2025. Virtual reality gamers have a few months to switch to console and PC from Minecraft’s VR edition. After the March 2025 date, only gamers who play Minecraft Java edition with certain mods will be able to continue playing the game on virtual reality systems. This includes the aforementioned PlayStation VR, Oculus Rift, Meta Quest, and Windows Mixed Reality.
Specific New for PlayStation Players
Mojang went more in-depth when discussing PlayStation VR specifically. Though Mojang gave no reason behind the discontinued support for PlayStation VR, the studio explains how the game’s upcoming updates will affect the system. Updates after the March 2025 date won’t be applicable to the PlayStation VR. However, gamers who have been playing using a “peripheral” will be able to continue playing in their previously saved worlds on the PlayStation 4 or PlayStation 5. Additionally, these gamers will not lose access to tokens or other items they’ve purchased in Minecraft’s Marketplace.
Minecraft and Mojang’s move away from virtual reality reflects the decrease in popularity of VR games as a whole. For example, the PlayStation VR2 failed to meet Sony’s sales expectations. The system only received an increase in purchases after the headset’s price tag was cut by $200.
This has also led gamers to believe that Minecraft will not be available on the PlayStation VR2 despite fan interest. With the system not meeting original sales expectations and Minecraft’ s cuts to virtual reality support, it seems unlikely that Mojang will double back on its announcement and introduce Minecraft to the PlayStation VR2. Furthermore, Mojang Studios is owned by Sony competitor Microsoft, making the deal seem unlikely since Windows’ virtual reality systems are included in this discontinuation.
The Future of Minecraft and VR
But hope isn’t lost for Minecraft players who use PlayStation VR. Since the console needs to be connected to a PlayStation 4 or 5 in order to function, gamers can easily make the switch to playing Minecraft on the console.
Without Minecraft, many virtual reality sandbox games will compete to fill the mega hit’s void. A cozy simulation sandbox game hasn’t sprouted out of Minecraft’s not-cold ashes just yet, but titles like survival horror game The Forest, action-adventure game No Man’s Sky, and Garry’s Mod are worth checking out. Despite having a niche premise, Rolling Line’s railway modeling could be what virtual reality Minecraft players need to decompress.
Though no specific date has been given for when Minecraft will no longer support virtual reality gaming, players at the very least have a few months to get their bearings. After March 2025, gamers should say goodbye to Minecraft’s version of virtual reality and jump to a different system or discover a new title.
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 90 /100 Critics Rec: 84%
WHERE TO PLAY
Minecraft is a game made up of blocks, creatures, and community. You can survive the night or build a work of art – the choice is all yours. But if the thought of exploring a vast new world all on your own feels overwhelming, then fear not!
Minecraft has no set goal and can be played however you’d like! This is why it’s sometimes called a “sandbox game” – there are lots of things for you to do, and lots of ways that you can play. If you like being creative, then you can use the blocks to build things from your imagination. If you’re feeling brave, you can explore the world and face daring challenges. Blocks can be broken, crafted, placed to reshape the landscape, or used to build fantastical creations.
Creatures can be battled or befriended, depending on how you play. The world of Minecraft allows for epic adventures, quiet meditations, and everything in between. You can even share your creations with other players, or play in community worlds!
- Engine
- LWJGL, PROPRIETARY ENGINE
- Multiplayer
- Online Co-Op, Online Multiplayer
- Franchise
- Minecraft
- Number of Players
- 1-4
- Split Screen Orientation
- Vertical or Horizontal
- Platform(s)
- 3DS, Android, iOS, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Wii U, PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PS Vita, Xbox One, Xbox 360
- Genre(s)
- Sandbox, Survival
- How Long To Beat
- 129 Hours
- X|S Optimized
- No
- File Size Xbox Series
- 1.42 GB (August 2024)
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
