Sony is slowly unveiling details about PSVR 2

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The PSVR 2 from Sony is a follow-up to the original PSVR, which gave PS4 users a pretty nifty and affordable entry point into virtual reality.

We had to wait a very long time for this, but now we can see the PSVR 2’s design for the first time. It resembles the original PSVR quite a bit, which is to be expected, but with rounded edges and a black/white color scheme to match the PS5.

Below, you’ll find a summary of everything you need to know about Sony’s so-called PSVR 2, including the most recent details on a possible release date as well as rumors regarding the device’s specs, price, and features. And to see all the biggest anticipated changes, be sure to look at our PSVR 2 vs. PSVR guide.

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Latest PSVR 2 news (updated July 1)

  • A render-free image of what appears to be a physical PSVR 2 briefly surfaced on an independent developer’s Twitter account.
  • Over 20 games may be available when the PSVR 2 debuts.
  • The PSVR 2 front is currently quiet, but we anticipate hearing something this summer or early in the fall.
  • According to a business insider, PSVR 2 may not launch until 2023.

PSVR 2 price speculation

According to the most recent release date rumors, the PSVR 2 won’t debut until 2023, delaying the anticipated arrival date of 2022.

According to predictions made by Ross Young, CEO of Display Supply Chain Consultants, VR display shipments are anticipated to increase by 50% in 2022, reaching more than 15 million units throughout the year. Despite delays to 2023 at Apple and Sony, Young writes in the same post, this rise is “despite what on the surface might seem to be a positive update regarding the release date of the PSVR 2.”

We still have some hope that the PSVR 2 will be released later this year, though, as Sony has been teasing it subtly and fully revealed. As a result, the PS5 would have the VR edge over the Xbox Series X.

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PSVR 2 controllers

In terms of cost, the original PSVR cost $499 for the complete set when it was first released, which was a bit expensive for the typical consumer at the time. With more recent PlayStation VR games, such Iron Man VR, it is now $349. One of those is getting harder and harder to locate in the wild compared to the core kit, which was $100 less expensive with just the headset.

Sony is unlikely to once again create a PlayStation VR headgear that is more expensive than the system. While the Oculus Rift S costs $399, the Oculus Quest 2 is reasonably priced at $299. Sony wants to increase its VR revenue, and it appears that the new PlayStation VR won’t cost more than $499.

It’s likely that Sony will directly compete with Oculus and set a $399 price point. That still puts the entire next-generation PlayStation VR platform under the cost of the Valve Index, which can cost as much as $999 with add-ons and trackers when combined with the $500 price of the PS5 itself. We can only hope that the global chip shortage will lessen by the time of its release, preventing scalper pricing from affecting the next-generation PSVR (PSVR 2).

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PSVR 2 headset 

The PSVR 2’s new controller is now one of the most widely speculated features. The PlayStation Move motion controllers, which were first introduced in 2010 with the PS3, have been replaced by devices that resemble the Oculus Touch controllers by Sony. DualSense adaptable triggers for the PS5 will also be included, according to patents.

According to reports, the new controllers will each have an analog stick, making navigation considerably simpler than with the PlayStation Move wands. The PlayStation Eye Camera from Sony, a low-resolution sensor that debuted in 2007, used a single camera system; there may also be a tracking ring across the bottom of the controller, which is a vast improvement over that setup.

According to one of the most recent reports, the controllers will also supposedly have capacitive touch sensors that can recognize when a user is holding the device or merely pressing buttons. And that’s not all, the source claims that the new controller for Sony’s next-generation VR system might also measure the distance between the user’s fingers.

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PSVR 2 other features and specs 

Sony has finally provided us with our first glimpse at the PSVR 2 headset via the PlayStation Blog after months of rumors.

PSVR 2 SPECS

  • Display: Fresnel OLED screens
  • Resolution: 4K HDR, 2000 x 2040 per eye
  • FOV: 110 degrees
  • Refresh rate: 90, 120 Hz
  • FSR: Flexible scaling resolution concentrates rendering resources on player’s area of focus
  • Eye tracking: Yes
  • Haptics in headset: Yes
  • Controllers: Adaptive triggers, capacitive touch sensors

The PSVR 2 bears a striking similarity to its predecessor, with the first PSVR headgear obviously serving as the design influence. The PSVR 2 has a more rounded appearance compared to the initial PSVR, which had a more rectangular appearance. The headsets aren’t exactly the same. According to Sony, this update was made to better match the PSVR 2 Sense controller’s orb-like design.

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The PSVR 2 clearly draws design cues from the PS5 system in terms of appearance. The matching black-and-white color schemes that the gaming machines wear make this very clear. Anyone who replaced the white faceplates on their PS5 consoles with black ones has bad luck!

Ergonomics was also taken into consideration when designing the PSVR 2. The device will retain the adjustable headbands from its predecessor and has been tested on a wide range of head sizes. The dual headphone jack connector will now again be found on the back of the headset, and other features that have returned include the adjustable scope that allows you to move the lens closer to or further away from your face.

Additionally, the PSVR 2 headgear will be lighter than the PSVR 1. This is more significant than it initially appears to be. It’s not particularly comfortable to wear a large virtual reality headset on your face for extended periods of time. Any additional weight that Sony is able to remove from the device will significantly alter its performance.

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Leading the PSVR 2 design team, Yujin Morisawa, described another small but significant improvement to the headset. He said: “When I started to work on the PlayStation VR2 headset design, one of the areas I wanted to focus on first was the idea of creating a vent in the headset to let air out, similar to the vents on the PS5 console that allows airflow.”

As a result, there is now a tiny gap above the lens that is intended to provide ventilation. The PSVR shouldn’t theoretically fog up during prolonged play sessions thanks to this. Anyone with an original PSVR headset will tell you how annoying it is to constantly have to remove it to clean it.

The single cord setup for the headset was also reiterated in the most recent PSVR 2 update. A single cord is a significant improvement over the cable spaghetti and break out box of the original PSVR, which may disappoint some users. Not to mention how much more expensive a wireless headset would be.

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Though no official photos of the real-world headset have been released, independent game developer Bit Planet Games tweeted a picture of what appears to be a PSVR2. Although the tweet has since been removed and the developers have said it was a hoax, it does resemble the official renders we’ve already seen.

Sony stated that the PSVR2 would have two 2,000 x 2,040 4K HDR displays with a 110-degree field of vision. In comparison to the current PSVR, which has a 100-degree field of view and a 1920 x 1080 OLED display, these numbers represent major improvements.

The new headset also has 3D Audio, eye tracking, and headset feedback. The VR2 can respond by following the movement of your eyes thanks to eye tracking, saving you from having to turn your head.

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While playing, a single motor in the headset feedback system generates haptic vibrations, and 3D audio also makes the experience more immersive overall.

The next-generation wireless VR headset from Sony was also discussed by Playstation’s Dominic Mallinson, who said that wireless transmission technology was always improving. These alternatives are now possible for VR products because to new technology like 60 gigahertz, he noted.

The CEO also discussed the concept of eye tracking. Mallinson discussed eye tracking not only in terms of user comfort and display calibration, but also as a different type of input for VR games.

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The most intriguing change in next-generation VR, in my opinion, is gaze tracking, according to Mallinson. Therefore, having gaze as user input will be as fundamental as each of the changes we’ve seen in the past. If you look at the history of user input, starting with keyboards, moving on to the mouse, and most recently touchscreen interfaces, My main concern with next-generation VR is that gaze will enable much, much greater user engagement.

PSVR 2 games

According to Sony’s most recent business briefing, the PSVR 2 headset will likely arrive with more than 20 games.

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Jim Ryan, president of Sony Interactive Entertainment, revealed some of the company’s virtual reality strategy plans during a business briefing. He said: “Right now, a significant amount of money is being spent on partnerships with independent and other third-party developers to secure a significant pipeline of compelling VR content at the launch of PlayStation VR2.”

After the PSVR 2 is out, he added, “That energy, that effort, and that money will continue to expand as the installed base of PlayStation VR 2 headsets grows as well.”

One of these will be Horizon Call of the Mountain, a game created just for Sony’s VR headset by Guerrilla and Firesprite.

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PSVR 2 outlook 

It looks like the PSVR 2 will be a strong successor to the PSVR. Additionally, the PS5’s strength might produce some stunning virtual reality experiences.

Although there isn’t much information available at this time to guess about, the initial PSVR made VR accessible to those without strong PCs. Therefore, we may anticipate that the next-generation headset will build on this and further drive VR into the gaming industry.

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