Microsoft is entering the VR space in a big way, if nothing else for the $3,000 price tag that’s attached to HoloLens. In their defense, HoloLens is a very different product than PlayStation VR which we hope to learn a lot more about later this month during an announced press event. In fact, as it stands, Microsoft has shown very little interest in pursuing the gaming audience that Sony is uniquely targeting and are instead focusing on HoloLens as its own platform.

Here is head of Xbox, Phil Spencer, on the subject of PlayStation VR:

 I hope Sony has success with what they’re trying to do because I think it’s good for our industry as innovations like VR take off. 

More from the Xbox head honcho after the jump.

 But for me, and where we are with Xbox, my bet is putting the development tools in the hands of literally millions of people who can go on Windows and start building their own VR experiences is likely to lead to faster content innovation than a closed ecosystem would 

Judging from his comments, it’s highly unlikely that we’ll be seeing an Xbox VR anytime soon. Instead their goals seem to lie with building HoloLens out as a platform that runs on Windows 10. This not only means millions and millions of devices would have access to it (though HoloLens doesn’t require a PC like Oculus Rift or a PS4 like PS VR), but that it could always come to Xbox One, seeing how it can now run Windows apps to a degree.

 Our bet on VR right now on an open platform for innovation [like Windows 10] is the best place for something that is this early in its incubation 

Considering the independent nature of HoloLens, I’m glad Spencer and company aren’t chasing down the same path as everybody else. VR and perhaps AR in their case has the power to be transformative if everything we’ve seen from future tech-demos is one day realized. While entertainment is the current key to selling devices, the future of VR/AR can only be brighter if different companies pursue different paths.

Plus, you think there was an outlash to the price of Oculus Rift? Imagine the reaction if HoloLens was positioned as a platform for gaming as well. On a side note, it’s nice to see people like Phil Spencer at the helm of public divisions like Xbox. Gamers already do enough to muddy the water and atmosphere and too often have division heads stooped to the same level. Twice now (and that’s just what I’ve covered), Phil has had something nice to say about PlayStation. Good on him.

Discuss:

Does Microsoft HoloLens interest you?

[Via GameSpot]