Id Software Appears To Be Making a VR Game

A rating on an Australian classifications board suggests id Software may be at work on a new VR Game. And based on the rating, at least, this VR game will be a pretty grisly one.

The rating for "Project 2021A" was filed on January 22, 2021, with Bethesda Softworks, ZeniMax, and id Software listed by name. The name doesn't give any clues as to the content, but the ratings for specific types of objectionable material may shed more light. According to the board, it has a very high impact under the Violence category, strong Themes, and some mild language.

All that sounds like it would be right at home in one of id's existing franchises, like the recently revitalized Doom series. Id Software has already dabbled in VR with Doom VFR in 2017, but the listing suggests this is a new project altogether.

The news is also significant in light of the pending acquisition deal with Microsoft. Once that acquisition is complete, Microsoft will own all of Bethesda's studios, including id Software. Microsoft has stated it will consider multiplatform releases on a case-by-case basis going forward, hinting that it may keep some for its own platforms or to bulk up its Game Pass offerings. But Xbox head Phil Spencer also hasn't been keen on bringing VR to the console businesses, first strongly dismissing the idea and later clarifying that he just meant to clearly state his priorities. Either way, VR is not a priority for Xbox, so this mystery project may remain PC-only.