When Sony released the initial PlayStation VR device for the PS4, it was the first console maker to really consider virtual reality.
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| Playstation VR2 resident evil village |
While the game was amazing for the price, it had a number of flaws: players didn't appreciate having to use PS3-era controllers, the camera tracking was poor, and the quality was low.
Despite this, PS VR has become one of the most popular headsets on the market.
Sony revealed the PlayStation VR2, which appears to incorporate all of the lessons learnt from the PS VR as well as other headgear developments.
Sony has quietly been pouring down more and more details about the planned PS5 upgrade, starting with a blog post.
Some of our most pressing issues remain unanswered, but there is enough of new information to be thrilled about.
Here's all we know so far about the PlayStation VR2.
PlayStation VR2 Release date
As of currently, no release date or timeframe for PlayStation VR2 has been announced.
There's a lot of conjecture that it'll happen towards the end of 2022, but we think it'll happen in early to mid 2023.
Not only would this allow Sony to get more PS5 stock into people's hands, but it would also allow the corporation to try to build up a larger supply of this new unit so that customers who want one won't have to wait months or even years.
PlayStation VR2 Lineup for the launch
Sony has claimed that the PlayStation VR2 will come pre-loaded with more than 20 titles.
Sony has previewed a few VR games, but there's no way of knowing which ones will be available on launch day.
Horizon Call of the Mountain, a first-party title and the first game we saw for PS VR2, appears to be a solid bet for one of the launch games.
Other titles that will be available for PS VR2 at launch or later include:
- Among Us VR
- Firmament
- Horizon Call of the Mountain
- A Jurassic Park game from Coatsink
- Low-Fi
- No Man’s Sky
- Resident Evil 4 Remake
- Resident Evil Village
- Runner
- Samurai Slaughter House
- The Walking Dead: Saints and Sinners — Chapter 2: Retribution
We also don't sure if the games on the PS VR2 will be backwards compatible with those on the original PS VR machine.
We have a feeling it won't be, otherwise Sony would have touted the launch roster as considerably larger, or qualified it as 20 "new" titles at launch.
Simultaneously, merely stating "over 20" titles may suggest the complete PS VR catalog, but we suspect that creators will need to upgrade their games to run with the PlayStation VR2.
The most popular titles from that system will almost certainly be transferred, maybe before launch, but native backward compatibility does not appear to be an option.
PlayStation VR2 Specs
Even by today's standards, the first PlayStation VR was underpowered and cumbersome.
The camera's resolution, tracking, and improvised motion controls, as well as the thick wires and bulky box, made it difficult to use.
PS VR2 flips the script by looking to be one of the most powerful headsets on the market, at least for the time being.
The first and most important question will always be regarding wires.
While we can't separate the PlayStation VR2 from the PS5, which is doing the heavy lifting, we are down to a single, thin USB Type-C cable connecting the headset to your console.
It isn't perfect, but it is a significant improvement over the previous version.
PS VR2 will now have two OLED eye displays, each with a resolution of 2000 x 2040, for a total resolution of 4000 x 2040 at a 110-degree field of view, which is greater than the Meta Quest 2.
It will also be capable of foveated rendering at 90Hz or 120Hz frame rates.
All of this implies that this headset is capable of 4K HDR and up to 120 frames per second. However, this will change from game to game.
The PS VR2 is astounding not only in terms of what your eye will see, but also in terms of how it will view your eye.
Eye-tracking technology will be included in the PlayStation VR2, which will allow for more immersive experiences while also potentially reducing motion sickness.
Eye-tracking has a lot of potential in terms of how it may be used, but it's still so new that we don't know what to expect.
Another excellent lesson gained by PS VR2 was to abandon the external camera in favor of inside-out tracking.
This means the headgear has four cameras integrated in, allowing it to track your movements significantly more effectively than the PS VR camera, which had issues with blind areas and lighting interference.
It will also include built-in 3D audio, which is required for virtual reality.
Finally, I'd want to discuss the new controllers.
The PS VR2 Sense controllers have a design that is extremely comparable to other top VR controllers.
A thumb stick, two face buttons, a trigger, and a button where your thumb will rest are all found on each controller.
It includes the same adaptive triggers, haptic feedback, and full finger touch recognition as the DualSense controller for the PS5.
This informs the game whether your fingers are resting on the controller or lifted, allowing it to more accurately mimic in-game actions.
PlayStation VR2 Price
The exact price for PlayStation VR2 has yet to be revealed, but there has been a lot of speculation based on the features and how rival headsets are priced.
The HTC Vive Pro headset alone costs just around $800, but the Oculus Quest 2 is only under $300. Sony won't want to charge as much as the Vive, so we expect it will do everything it can to keep the price below that of a PS5, even if it means selling at a loss.
The original PlayStation VR retailed for $400, and we expect it to do so again, but not for more than $500.
Although a lower price would be preferable, given the amount of power in this machine, it is unlikely to fall below $400.
PlayStation VR2 Pre-order
Expect the PS VR2 to sell out quickly, much like the PS5 and any other new gaming hardware.
There is no way to pre-order a device until a date and price are disclosed.
But, once they go online, expect them to sell out quickly, so keep an eye on this website to be the first to know when pre-orders open so you can reserve one of the first sets.
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