PlayStation VR2 is the next generation of VR gaming on PS5
More details about the highly anticipated headset from Sony have been released today
In a blog post today, Senior Vice President of Platform Planning and Management, Hideaki Nishino, shared more news on what we can expect from the successor to PS VR. The combination of PlayStation VR2 and the PlayStation VR2 Sense controllers promises to be a “next-generation VR system for the PS5 console” that will enable “the ultimate entertainment experience with dramatic leaps in performance and interactivity”.
The PlayStation 5 is Sony’s fastest-selling console ever, with over 13.4 million units being sold since its release. This is despite the console being released during a global pandemic and encountering stock issues related to this — anyone who has tried to get a hold of one knows just how high demand is! This is for good reason, though, as the PS5 and DualSense controllers are being hailed as ‘revolutionary’ by tech reviewers for their ability to enhance the gaming experience in meaningful ways for gamers, with stunning 4k / 120fps visuals, ray tracing, improved particle effects, 3D Audio and haptic feedback bringing content to life in your hands. It makes sense, then, that a next-gen console deserves a next-gen VR experience.
Unfortunately, the blog post didn’t yet reveal what the headset will actually look like, give a release date or a price, but it did give us exciting information about its features and a full list of specs.
Visual Fidelity
For a high-fidelity visual experience, PS VR2 offers 4K HDR, 110-degree field of view, and foveated rendering. The headset will also have an OLED display, resolution of 2000×2040 per eye and frame rates of 90/120Hz.
Headset-based Controller Tracking
With inside-out tracking, PS VR2 will track users and their controllers through integrated cameras embedded in the headset in the same way Meta Quest 2 does. Your movements and the direction you look at are reflected in-game without the need for an external camera.
PS VR2 Concept by VR4Player.fr.
New Sensory Features
PS VR2 Sense Technology combines eye tracking, headset feedback, 3D Audio, and the PS VR2 Sense controller to create an incredibly deep feeling of immersion.
Headset feedback is a new sensory feature that amplifies the sensations of in-game actions from the player, using a single built-in motor with vibrations that add a tactile element, bringing players closer to the gameplay experience. For example, users can feel a character’s elevated pulse during tense moments, the rush of objects passing close to the character’s head, or the thrust of a vehicle as the character speeds forward.
We had a sneak peek of the controller design in March 2021, a completely new design more in line with Meta’s Quest controllers, with haptic feedback, adaptive triggers and USB C rechargeable batteries.
PS5’s Tempest 3D AudioTech makes sounds in the player’s surroundings come alive, adding to this new level of immersion.
Eye Tracking
This is perhaps the most exciting feature of this new headset. Eye-tracking is a feature that has traditionally been reserved for high end, enterprise headsets, but now Sony is bringing it to the masses which will be a game-changer for immersive content. With eye-tracking, PS VR2 detects the motion of your eyes, so a simple look in a specific direction can create an additional input for the game character. This allows players to interact more intuitively in new and lifelike ways, allowing for heightened emotional response and enhanced expression that provide a new level of realism in gaming.
All of these advancements in PlayStation VR2, combined with the haptic feedback and adaptive triggers from the PS VR2 Sense controllers, enable players to feel and interact with games in a much more visceral way. PS VR2 will also have a simple setup process — with a single cable connected directly to PS5, you can immediately jump into the VR experience.
One of the biggest exclusive franchises on PlayStation will also be coming to PS VR2 — Horizon Call of the Mountain. This original game is being built specifically for PS VR2 and will open the doors for players to go deeper into the world of Horizon. This is just the first of the games announced on the platform, but we expect to see more iconic PlayStation titles coming in the future.
There’s no information yet about the price bracket for this new headset, but if we consider the original model retails for around £260/$350, we might expect it to come in at around £300/$400 which would make it a similar price as a Meta Quest 2.
The consumer virtual reality industry has come a long way since the release of PS VR back in 2016. The barriers to entry have been lowered, and the standard for consumer VR has been set pretty high by the Meta Quest 2. PS VR 2’s features make it a genuine contender for making a real impact by bringing the technology into everyone’s living rooms and fusing traditional console gaming with the next generation of immersive content.
