Microsoft showcased how Xbox One Games in Oculus Rift will look using Forza Horizon 2 using the streaming to the Oculus Rift consumer version with a Windows 10 PC. The most observant of you will have probably recognized the home cinema environment used for the demo which is the same one that comes with the Oculus Cinema App currently in use with the Samsung Gear VR. We had a tinker with some footage and decided to place gameplay footage from Forza Horizon 2, Halo 4 (from The Master Chief Collection) Sunset Overdrive and Killer Instinct into the Oculus Cinema app to get an idea of what the streaming option will be like. Naturally Microsoft showed only the home cinema option but we suspect that they will also include other theatres as we’ve showcased in the video.

Although there’s no actual streaming going on here, the quality is reasonable but not really a replacement for super sharp 1080p screens. That said, shooting, driving, jumping or fighting on the bigger screen is actually quite impressive in terms of sense of scale and presence, so having a less sharp visual acuity is a trade off we’re willing to take in some instances. Whether the appeal is likely to last over many hours is to be seen, but still, as an alternative it’s a neat option to have available. It’s hoped the Oculus Rift consumer version will support a much higher quality looking visual output compared to the pioneering Note 4 powered Gear VR, but then again streaming also brings its own set of challenges in terms of latency and visual artefacts. Either way, if Microsoft and Oculus do find the right balance, then this will be a neat feature to have available especially if we can see some tailored theatres to suit the games being streamed. If you’re an owner of a Rift or Gear VR then be sure to download the original video file in the link below to get the full experience.

Download the original source file here for use in the Oculus Cinema App.