Sony Confirms PlayStation VR2 Launching in Early 2023
Sony’s next-generation headset, the PlayStation VR2, is set to launch in “early 2023”, the company has revealed in posts on Twitter and Instagram. Rumors about the upcoming headset have been trickling in over the past few months. Although Sony does not provide a definite date for the launch, we finally have a definite timeframe within which we expect the headset to launch.
2023年 初頭発売#PSVR2 pic.twitter.com/z9Nha5Ewfx
— プレイステーション公式 (@PlayStation_jp) August 22, 2022
Early this year, Sony released details of the headset’s design although the price is yet to be announced. Sony has promised that the PlayStation VR2 will pack a ton of features including up to 4K resolution displays with a refresh rate of 90Hz or 120Hz, a 110-degree field of view, and foveated rendering functionality where some parts of the images are rendered with sharper focus than others thereby reducing rendering workload and optimizing computing power. Sony also says that the PSVR2 can connect to a user’s console via a single USB C cable.
Sony had earlier announced that the headset would launch with 20 “major” virtual reality games, including titles set in the Walking Dead and Horizon universes, virtual reality versions of Resident Evil Village, and No Man’s Sky.
The original PlayStation VR headset had a camera connected to a user’s console for tracking a user’s movements. Its successor, the PSVR2, won’t have that as it uses inside-out tracking like the Quest 2 headset where the headset cameras do the motion tracking. The PSVR2 headset will, thus, allow you to also see your physical surroundings when you have the headset on.
Sony has said that its PlayStation 5 console allows users to broadcast themselves when playing virtual reality games but they have to connect a PlayStation HD camera for this functionality.
Sony also showcased orb-shaped controllers which feature adaptive triggers as well as haptic feedback similar to those in Sony’s DualSense controller for PS5. These also have finger-touch detection that can sense where the thumb, index, or middle finger rests even if you aren’t pressing anything.
The PlayStation VR2 headset will only be compatible with the PS5 console. The console was launched in November 2020 and it is difficult to access almost two years later so it is possible this might throttle the adoption of the PSVR2. On a positive note, there are signs that the supply issues are getting resolved. The PS5 are no longer getting sold out almost as soon as they are available because Sony established a queue for the consoles. For the past few days, buyers have also been able to purchase a bundle that comes with Horizon Forbidden West.
It is likely that by the time the PSVR2 headset hits the market in early 2023, the PS5 console will be widely available and users will be able to get their hands on them whenever they want.
There is also the possibility that Sony might grapple with supply issues and struggle to put the PSVR2 headsets on the shelves. So as far as supply and availability go, there are two sides to the question where prospective buyers might face either a headset or console shortage thereby denting the uptake.
The PSVR2 headset has to contend with stiff competition when it launches. Project Cambria, Meta’s high-tech virtual reality headset is also slated for release sometime before the end of this year. The Project Cambria headset is likely to be priced on the higher side, taking into account its specifications and the fact that Meta recently hiked prices of its previously discounted Quest 2 headset which has been in the market for close to two years.
Apple is also expected to announce its much anticipated mixed reality headset which is currently under development. The Apple headset will reportedly cost thousands of dollars according to rumors. XR industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo reported that the headset could be revealed as soon as January 2023.
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