When I last had a chance to try out the Samsung Gear, it was a fun but limited experience. While graphics were okay, and the VR worked perfectly well, control was limited. Microsoft is changing this with their big announcement last Friday. Gamers with both a Samsung Gear headset and an Xbox controller will soon be able to play Minecraft with both. Minecraft players will be able to get their hands on this update on 18 October.
The Samsung Gear and the Xbox controller love affair
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Microsoft made the announcement Friday 23 September. Senior Product Manager for Xbox Accessories Navin Kumar wrote on the blog Xbox Wire with details. He writes, “we’re excited to announce that the new Xbox Wireless Controller, will soon be compatible with controller-enabled games on Samsung Gear VR starting with Minecraft: Gear VR Edition.” Kumar adds that other compatible titles include Herobound, Spirit Champion and End Space. Attendants of Minecon, the annual Minecraft Expo which happened last weekend, were the first to try out the Gear edition of Minecraft with the controller support.
Image courtesy: digitaltrends.com
Since Minecraft is still ridiculously popular, it makes sense that this is the first game to receive this update. However, Kumar does write that this is only the beginning. “Beyond Minecraft: Gear VR Edition, we’re working hard to make the Xbox Wireless Controller compatible with all controller-supported Gear VR games and future games too. Keep an eye out for more news on the release timing in the coming months.”
Image courtesy: Xbox.com
Anyone who has access to both and Xbox One controller and the Samsung Gear VR just needs to update the drivers in their controller. Pairing between the two happens via Bluetooth. . Controller support does not solve the issue of graphical power on the mobile headset. However, this is one step closer to getting a real gaming experience. I haven’t played Minecraft in years, but this might be something to get me back into the blocky world.
While this is a great update, it only goes so far. Controller support does not solve the issue of graphical power on the mobile headset. However, this is one step closer to getting a real gaming experience. I haven’t played Minecraft in years, but this might be something to get me back into the blocky world.
Image courtesy: xbox.com
Microsoft also announced an Oculus edition of Minecraft. However, for Minecraft lovers in Singapore who want yet another way to experience the game, Samsung is the way to go. After all, both products are available right now in the country.
Sources: xbox.com, mojang.com
