The Head of Xbox Phil Spencer criticized the current version of the metaverse during a panel at WSJ Tech Live 2022 by comparing it to a poorly built video game that has yet to discover hidden potential. Several companies like Meta, NVIDIA, Roblox, and Bandai Namco are working to create their own virtual universes, while Microsoft and Xbox are also on the same path in an attempt to develop the first widely popular metaverse.According to Spencer, the metaverse is "at the early stage and this will evolve," pointing at what metaverses have been revealed thus far while possibly suggesting that the Microsoft one is still potentially far off. Meta stock which is tied to Facebook has been plummeting in recent months since the reveal and negative reception of its metaverse which the company has invested into heavily which may bode poorly for the project. Microsoft's own metaverse hasn't been unveiled yet, but the AR of HoloLens continues to be worked on, and it sees industrial implementation by motor vehicle manufacturer Kawasaki.Perhaps in reference to Meta's version of the metaverse so far, Phil Spencer had harsh words for virtual worlds that are too similar to the "living room" around the gamer, stating it's not how he wants to spend his time. This statement may suggest that the metaverse that Microsoft is working on will put the player in more fantastical worlds than the real-world ones shown off by Meta so far. Beyond a small HoloLens display at E3 2015 that included a different look at Minecraft Microsoft has yet to unveil details about the metaverse that it's working on, unlike Meta which is even being tested by some users.
Phil Spencer doesn't strictly stick to Xbox products as he has commented on PlayStation games and other types of technology in the past, and his words at WSJ Tech Live 2022 may point to research he's done into the metaverse. As these other companies work to create their own interactive virtual worlds, the LEGO Group has gone on the record to suggest that Fortnite could become the "first credible metaverse" when it confirmed a partnership with Epic Games. Because no metaverse has seen a public release yet, it's currently unclear what gamers can expect from the technological future of the medium being developed today.
While many Xbox fans responded to Phil Spencer's statements about the metaverse with an expressed agreement, others questioned why the company hasn't delved much into VR despite being interested in an Xbox take on the metaverse. As one Twitter user applauded Phil Spencer's candid words about the metaverses that exist so far, another compared things like Meta to PS3's PlayStation Home.