Meta is upgrading its Quest Horizon Plus subscription with a new Xbox Game Pass starter edition, offering limited cloud gaming hours and updated controller support to attract more VR gamers.
- Horizon Plus subscribers get 10 hours of Xbox cloud gaming per month
- Touch controllers receive software updates to support Xbox game inputs
- Collaboration aligns Meta Quest more closely with Xbox ecosystem
What happened
Meta has integrated an Xbox Game Pass starter edition into its Horizon Plus subscription service for Quest VR headsets. This addition grants subscribers 10 hours of Xbox cloud gaming access each month, including over 50 games from the Essential Edition Game Pass selection. The starter edition is a limited but valuable bonus for existing Horizon Plus subscribers who pay $8 monthly or $60 annually.
Alongside this, Meta is updating its Touch controllers with software that enables them to replicate Xbox controller inputs, allowing users to play Xbox cloud games without pairing a physical Xbox controller. This initiative follows Meta’s earlier Xbox collaborations, such as the Xbox-themed Quest 3S headset and a dedicated Xbox cloud gaming app for Quest devices.
Why it matters
The inclusion of Xbox cloud gaming in Horizon Plus signifies Meta’s intent to bolster its VR subscription offering and improve the platform’s competitiveness amid a shifting VR market. By providing Xbox content and controller compatibility enhancements, Meta aims to deliver a more versatile and engaging gaming experience to Quest users, potentially increasing subscriber retention and attracting new customers.
This move is also strategic in countering upcoming rivals such as Valve’s SteamOS-ready VR headset, which promises gamepad-style controls for a broad gaming library. Meta’s software adaptation for its Touch controllers is a cost-effective step to bridge the user experience gap without immediate hardware changes.
What to watch next
Observers should monitor whether Meta leverages this Xbox collaboration as a foundation for launching a new Quest VR headset, a possibility hinted at by Meta’s CTO, Andrew Bosworth. Future hardware could include deeper Xbox integration or further controller innovations, enhancing cross-platform gaming experiences.
Additionally, tracking subscriber feedback and uptake of the Xbox Game Pass starter edition within Horizon Plus will be crucial. This data may influence how Meta evolves its subscription pricing, gaming library partnerships, and feature updates to remain competitive in the expanding VR and cloud gaming landscape.