Microsoft slipped another announcement for Xbox One into their Twitter feed this week, escaping the eyes on the E3 2016 press conference. Yesterday, the Xbox Twitter account announced that VRV is coming to Xbox.
VRV is coming to Xbox. Learn more about the new video experience @WatchVRV: https://t.co/lf41215srb pic.twitter.com/xKLOfHz8ql
— Xbox (@Xbox) June 14, 2016
Interested parties were left wondering what exactly VRV was. The link in the tweet directs more curious pursuers to the VRV home page where users can sign up for early access and information about the new video subscription software.
Created by the owners of Crunchyroll and backed by AT&T, VRV boasts that it will be the newest streaming platform specifically for ‘geeks’. It boasts internet-famous producing groups such as Geek & Sundry, Nerdist, and Rooster Teeth. Ellation CEO Tom Pickett shared more details on the platform through a press release to The Verge:
“VRV was created to unite passionate fans around the content they love. VRV will be a home where you can discover new channels to love, interact with fellow fans, and engage with creators on a deeper level, especially as we begin to roll out new features for our community.”
According to Wall Street Journal, “the plan is to provide exclusive content that may not always be economically feasible on free, ad-supported social platforms like YouTube.” Some content will be accessible for free, however, many partners have restricted access to their videos through the subscription process. Does this mean that partners will be dissolved into VRV? Not at all, said Dallas Middaugh of Crunchyroll in a public statement to the community.
“Like several of the partner channels, Crunchyroll will still be available as a stand-alone app which we’ll continue to update and improve so you can continue enjoying your anime uninterrupted. You might find, though, that there’s something in VRV you want to try out, and that’s the beauty of the service.”
The video streaming platform may be a bit overhyped for little to show considering already established video-on-demand competitors. In fact, we still do not have a release date or pricing preview as of yet. For now, all we can do is stay tuned.
