Xbox and Meta Join Forces for Surprise VR Launch

In an unexpected twist in the console wars, Xbox looks set to make a serious play in the virtual reality space. Leaked images have revealed an Xbox-branded version of Meta’s Quest 3S headset, hinting at a surprise launch; rumoured to drop as early as June 24, for a competitive price of $399.

The leaked packaging showcases a sleek black-and-green design and bundles the VR headset with an Elite Strap, an Xbox Wireless Controller, and three months of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. The device reportedly includes 128GB of storage, matching the standard Quest 3S model and suggesting similar hardware capabilities beneath the Xbox branding.

This move marks a dramatic departure from Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer’s 2019 stance, when he infamously stated, nobody's asking for VR on Xbox. However with the rise of Xbox Cloud Gaming and the company’s evolving. This is an Xbox's strategy, the Xbox ecosystem is expanding beyond the confines of traditional consoles.

Now spanning consoles, PCs, smart TVs, mobile devices, handhelds, and VR platforms, Xbox is positioning itself as a service-led ecosystem more than a single device. The new Quest 3S integration appears to support this, likely relying on cloud streaming to bring Game Pass experiences into VR; just as some Meta Quest users have already experienced.

The timing is telling. Xbox recently partnered with Asus to launch the Xbox Ally handhelds, while whispers of Microsoft’s own handheld console project, Project Kennan continue to stir speculation. This Xbox branded Quest seems like another strategic, push to reach gamers on every screen and headset possible.

Though not a native VR console like PlayStation VR2, this collaboration reflects a broader Microsoft vision: to lower the barrier to entry and offer Xbox anywhere. If these leaks prove true, gamers could be just days away from stepping into an Xbox powered virtual world.

It’s a bold pivot, and one that could redefine what “Xbox” means in 2025.