Microsoft employee revives Windows Mixed Reality project independently
Revived Reality
Microsoft's often misunderstood virtual reality venture, Windows Mixed Reality (WMR), is making a comeback, or sort of. In a recent post on the WindowsMR subreddit, a current Microsoft engineer, user mbucchia (known for their custom VR work), shared their upcoming project, the "Oasis" driver.
This driver aims to connect WMR headsets and controllers with SteamVR, eliminating the need for Microsoft's Mixed Reality Portal. Great news for those with a dormant WMR headset, rendered useless after Microsoft's decision to deprecate the WMR platform in 2023.
The comeback of Windows Mixed Reality (Butnot really, shh)
As explained by mbucchia, the Oasis driver is a native SteamVR driver, similar to existing drivers for PSVR2 and Valve's Index headset. It's expected to support WMR's impressive inside-out motion tracking for controllers and full six degrees of freedom (6DoF) for the headsets. The driver, set to release in Fall 2025, bypasses the Mixed Reality Portal requirement.
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The last WMR headset, the HP Reverb G2 that I reviewed back in 2021, showcases the best of what WMR could offer, but didn't receive much support. Just a couple of years later, Microsoft announced it would remove WMR support entirely in the Windows 11 24H2 update, effectively making a lot of decent hardware obsolete.
However, this upcoming Oasis driver will not be open-source, contrary to some expectations. According to mbucchia, they "don't plan on charging as long as I don't have any related expenses." While the future may hold additional charges, other projects by the same engineer, like the OpenXR toolkit and VDXR, remain free today.
My two cents
While some might find the idea of paying to breathe life into otherwise useless hardware unappealing, I see it differently. It's a modest ask considering the cost of WMR hardware.
Maintenance and compatibility
The Oasis driver is designed to require minimal maintenance once it's stable, with much of the work resting on Valve's shoulders, keeping SteamVR compatible with a wide range of hardware. The driver has been tested with a couple of WMR headsets, including the HP Reverb G1, but each headset may require some tweaking, and crowdsourced data might be necessary.
A word of caution
The biggest downside to this Oasis driver news is the lack of support for AMD and Intel GPUs. It's due to the way SteamVR interfaces with GPU drivers, something mbucchia cannot change or control.
The future of Windows Mixed Reality
In a recent retrospective look at Windows Mixed Reality, I explored what could have been done to save the platform. Microsoft could have opened up the code, turning it into an open-source platform and allowing enthusiasts to push the boundaries.
Alas, that never happened. What I didn't foresee was one Microsoft engineer taking matters into their own hands and preparing a driver that will salvage a whole lot of functional hardware from ending up as e-waste.
Time will tell how well the Oasis project turns out later this year. If it pans out as planned, we could see a surge of SteamVR users resurrecting their WMR headsets for one last hurrah. I know I will be among them.
The Oasis driver, developed by a Microsoft engineer, is set to revive the Windows Mixed Reality (WMR) experience by connecting WMR headsets and controllers with SteamVR. Releasing in Fall 2025, it's expected to support WMR's motion tracking technology and bypass the Mixed Reality Portal requirement.
The upcoming driver will not be open-source, but the engineer behind it has promised not to charge as long as related expenses are covered. This modest fee is a small price to pay given the initial cost of WMR hardware.
Despite its limitations, such as the lack of support for AMD and Intel GPUs, the Oasis driver promises minimal maintenance requirements and compatibility with a wide range of hardware. If successful, it could prevent functional WMR hardware from ending up as electronic waste.
While some may find the idea of paying for a driver to revive useless hardware unappealing, the promise of extending the life of WMR gadgets is a significant advantage for PC and Xbox technology enthusiasts. The future of WMR remains uncertain, but the Oasis driver project offers a glimmer of hope for those invested in this Microsoft venture.
Those interested in staying updated on the latest news, reviews, and guides for Windows and Xbox fanatics can sign up for the newsletter. The latest developments in the world of WMR, including the Oasis driver, are worth keeping an eye on.
