Microsoft is Bringing ''Minecraft'' to The Oculus Rift

Minecraft is a delightful and hugely successful game but nobody would suggest its success is based on realisticity. It''s blocky graphics, full of sharp right angles and large "pixels" are far from realistic, but it does give the game a signature visual style and plenty of charm. But, it is clear that Minecraft''s vast open-world design makes it an ideal game for virtual reality. Microsoft has already demonstrated the game with HoloLens and it is now available for Oculus Rift. At Microsoft''s spring show I was able to play the game using the Rift. Although it''s a bit clunky in its design, it''s one the best VR experiences.

It''s important to remember that this isn''t a new Minecraft version. It has been updated to work with Oculus Rift. You can play in survival mode or join a multiplayer servers. You''ll be presented with two view modes once you start playing. The first puts you in a virtual castle with the game playing on what amounts to an actual TV screen in front of you. It''s quite meta and amusing to play a game inside of VR however it''s also an ideal way to look at things if you need an escape from the full VR experience.

If you decide to dive into this full-on experience, the game''s world shifts and you''re completely immersed by what your character sees. Due to the vastness of Minecraft''s vast 3D environments it truly feels like you''ve been taken away from reality, despite the huge pixels and the absence of fine details. It''s one of the most immersive VR experiences I have had. Minecraft''s success is actually due to the lack of the fine details. The game doesn’t attempt to replicate reality. It felt more like I was in the world of a cartoon.

The demo experience Microsoft showed off went through a handful of games signature moments -- I went to the mine and battled some creeps. I also lit up some caves with torches, pressed several buttons to interact with the world and eventually rode a mine cart up the side of a huge building. This was my favorite part of the demo. I felt like I was flying high and quickly. A second mine cart ride let me take a 360-degree look at the vast landscape from on high as it made its way toward a new area and there was a myriad of activities and visual delights to enjoy on the trip.
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It''s difficult to describe the experience in words because VR is so immersive. Although it''s not as immersive as the HoloLens version, it''s still an excellent location to explore. Although there''s no information on when Minecraft will be available in VR however, it is anticipated that it won''t be long after the Rift''s launch later in the month. While "killer app" may sound like a quaint term, Minecraft has the potential to be an important player in the rapidly growing VR scene.