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p>First look at virtual reality Minecraft at Xbox showcase Dave Lee North America technology reporter

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p>1 March 2016

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p>Minecraft is loved by millions of gamers around the world - now Microsoft has shown us how to experience the world of Minecraft looks like in virtual reality.

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p>Microsoft bought the block-building game in 2014 for $2.5bn (PS1.8bn) which was an enormous sum that left players concerned about its future.

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p>The US firm claimed that it would not harm its well-known formula, but instead invest in Minecraft.

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p>The Xbox division unveiled the first version of virtual reality Minecraft at an event in San Francisco event.

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p>Palmer Luckey, creator and designer of the Oculus Rift VR headset, said that it makes you feel like you're in Minecraft.

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p>It's like other VR experiences. It's completely absorbing. For those who are obsessed with Minecraft's addictive building process it is a big step up from playing it on a standard screen.

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p>However, for a game that is popular with children, there's a figure that might worry parents 1500 dollars.

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p>That's the amount they'll have to pay for an Oculus Rift headset and an operating system that can run it.

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p>This is surely too costly So I suggested it to Mr Luckey.

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p>He replied, "It isn’t."

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p>It is expensive, but it offers much more technology than a TV or mobile phone.

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p>"It's not as if this is simple hardware, and the cost is going to fall in time."

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p>It'll need to go down pretty sharp-ish if it is to be accepted by mainstream audiences soon.

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p>I predict a minor revival of the games arcade. This is an area where people can play high-end video games that they are unable to afford for themselves.

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p>Big titles

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p>Minecraft on Oculus was one of the many games displayed at Xbox's Spring Showcase, a chance for journalists - and some influential YouTube gamers naturally - to play with the upcoming blockbusters of the future.

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p>Quantum Break was a fascinating world that has me shivering for an hour. It's a game in which you play as Jack Joyce, an unwilling action hero who develops the ability to manipulate time following an experiment that went badly.

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p>If it sounds like another scenario that is predictable for an online game, you're right - but the title's mechanics (think "bullet time" and only better) create something unique.

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p>Also, be sure to check out Tom Clancy's The Division - set in a meticulously accurate Manhattan.

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p>A lot of the titles that were that were featured on the show were advertised as excellent for PC use via Microsoft's Windows 10 operating systems.

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p>"If you look at the numbers, PC gaming has the fastest-growing segment of gaming," stated Phil Spencer who is the head of Xbox.

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p>"It's normal to focus on gaming on Windows."

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p>Virtual plans

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p>Microsoft has decided not to create its own headset for virtual reality. However it is working on the Hololens-specific Hololens. Instead it is working to make it compatible with the Oculus Rift or HTC Vive.

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p>In the debate over price on the price, Mr. Spencer said he believed virtual reality would follow the same path of high-definition TVs which are a luxury item to start with however, it is a challenge to resist once you've had the experience.

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p>He added, "The early adopters of VR will be there to spur the industry."

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p>With the news that Sony's PlayStation 4 will soon get its own VR headset, I asked if Microsoft might also think about making its own equipment.

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p>He added, "I believe it could be something that's part of our roadmap." He also stressed that Windows 10 was now fully compatible with VR titles, but he did not mention this.

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p>'Not hacked'

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p>New games are useless in the absence of players who can play them online. This has been a major challenge.

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p>Low reliability on Xbox Live, the online gaming platform used by Xbox gamers, has caused thousands of issues.

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p>Snoop Dogg is one of the fans who are unhappy with their service. https://www.openlearning.com/u/smedmcintosh-ri8hwy/blog/5TiktokLtdTiktokLtd He pleaded with Bill Gates to fix the problem, or he would switch to PlayStation.

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p>Mr Spencer apologized for the issues.

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p>"It's obviously always regretful," he said.

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p>"This last outage was a worry and we have learned from it. It took us a little longer to understand the issue, but it was clear.

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p>He denied that the company was the victim of a hacking attack, claiming that while its network was constantly under attack, it wasn't like it was claimed, destroyed by an orchestrated effort to block gamers.

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p>Snoop Dogg is at risk of becoming lost: "Snoop has been a long-time Xbox gamer and fan for many years.

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p>"I am able to understand when people get angry. I see it as an expression of the love and dedication people have to what we offer as a gaming platform."

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p>Follow Dave Lee on Twitter @DaveLeeBBC and on Facebook.

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p>Orangutans try gaming in Australian zoo

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p>15 February 2016

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p>Microsoft tests underwater data centre

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p>2 February 2016

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p>VR gaming: What do we have so far

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p>Oculus VR headset on sale for $599

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p>7 January 2016

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p>Microsoft Xbox

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