Mojang has recently made a significant announcement regarding the future of Minecraft and its support for virtual reality platforms. Following the decision to discontinue PSVR support in 2025, the studio has now confirmed that PC VR headsets will also be phased out after March 2025. This move is largely seen as a natural progression, given the aging technology of the PSVR, which has been around for eight years.
Transitioning Away from VR Support
The latest Bedrock update, version 1.21.40, outlines these changes clearly. Players can expect to receive their final VR update by March 2025, after which they will still have access to updates for the standard PC version of Minecraft. The changelog reassures users that they will be able to continue their gaming experience without the need for a VR or mixed reality device.
Minecraft Bedrock edition first introduced Oculus Rift support in 2016, followed by compatibility with Windows VR headsets in 2017. The adoption of OpenXR allowed for broader support across various SteamVR headsets. However, the landscape has shifted, with Meta removing Minecraft from its Rift platform after ceasing updates in 2021, leaving only the Windows Store version as the official source for PC VR support.
For those who have relied on PC VR, the modding community offers alternatives. One popular option is Vivecraft, which supports Minecraft Java versions from 1.7.10 to 1.20.1. This mod enables players to enjoy single-player, LAN multiplayer, and server multiplayer experiences, although it does not support official Minecraft servers or cross-play with Bedrock versions on platforms like Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, or mobile devices.
Quest users are also not left out of the equation. They can access Minecraft through the unofficial QuestCraft mod, which combines Vivecraft and Pojlib into a standalone port of the Java edition, albeit with similar cross-play limitations.
In a heartfelt message to the community, Mojang stated:
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. 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. 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.
This transition marks a pivotal moment for Minecraft as it shifts its focus away from VR, encouraging players to embrace the game in its traditional format while still fostering creativity and exploration within its expansive worlds.
