Will PSVR2 Lure The Common Gamer Into Virtual Reality?

Games Will PSVR2 Lure The Common Gamer Into Virtual Reality? Mitch Wallace Contributor Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. I write about gaming hardware, software and news. Following New! Follow this author to stay notified about their latest stories.

Got it! Sep 14, 2022, 06:26pm EDT | New! Click on the conversation bubble to join the conversation Got it! Share to Facebook Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin PSVR2 Credit: Sony According to outlets like IGN and The Verge , there was an early hands-on PlayStation VR2 press event last week. As far as I know, none of us video game pariahs at Forbes were invited, but that won’t stop us judging from afar like the dirty, dejected cave trolls we are. The hardware looks.

. . good but predictable? Pretty comparable to the original PSVR in terms of fit and design, though bolstered with new eye-tracking technology, better quality 4K HDR OLED screens for each pupil (2000×2040 at 120Hz, to be exact), as well as upgraded capacitive and haptic feedback wireless controllers that technically match what’s going on inside of the excellent PS5 DualSense.

Looks very comfortable too, a welcome holdover from the old headset. Moreover, there’s no need for an external PlayStation camera this time around, as the main gear has four built-in lenses that do all the tracking. No bulky external processing box, either.

Only a single USB-C connection now. What a relief! My major complaint with the original hardware was all the clutter required for setup. It seriously drained my motivation to even use the damn thing.

The IGN piece mentions a total lack of the often bemoaned ‘screen door effect’, an annoying visual grittiness that was present in many pioneering virtual reality headsets, including PlayStation’s own 2016 predecessor. Apparently, PSVR2 features an advancement known as foveated rendering, in which the unit “uses its built-in eye-tracking to increase the resolution of whatever you’re looking at”, per the IGN article. Interestingly, PSVR2 additionally boasts haptic feedback onboard the headset itself, which might be a first for VR wearables, if I’m not mistaken.

I imagine this being a great asset to certain games as long as developers take full advantage of the rumble ability, so we’ll see where that goes. MORE FOR YOU ‘Demon Slayer’ Season 2 Finally Has An Actual 2021 Release Date Netflix’s ‘Squid Game’ Season 2 Not A Sure Thing, Says Director ‘Genshin Impact’ Still Refuses To Increase Anniversary Rewards, Despite Fan Outcry The biggest bummer that I gleaned from the hands-on event is that, unlike say the Meta Quest 2, PSVR2 still needs to be tethered to a PS5 console. I suppose the advantage here is PlayStation virtual reality games can harness the power of local hardware, thus producing more impressive visuals.

The disadvantage, of course, is that when in VR, you’ll constantly be attached to your $500 Sony box, like a leashed toddler to an exhausted mom. Horizon Call of the Mountain Credit: Sony The Meta Quest 2 has seriously spoiled me in this regard. Sure, the graphical capabilities can’t match something like the visuals you see on HTC and Valve’s PC-based headsets, but the freedom of movement is sublime and makes certain room-scale experiences more possible in virtual reality.

But hey, is Sony can deliver on unique, engaging creative experiences then I hardly doubt I’ll mind. Speaking of which, the promising first-party spin-off Horizon Call of the Mountain seems to be positioned as the marquee launch title, whenever that launch actually happens, rumored to be sometime in early 2023. A new version of Resident Evil Village is also planned for PSVR2, but not much else at the moment.

And that brings us to the seemingly ever-present problem with virtual reality platforms: Lack of incredible games. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve played my fair share of notable titles through headsets, but nothing that’s going to convince the everyday gamer to abandon flatscreen gaming. Most of it continues to feel like shallow novelty—fun for a short while then back to traditional gaming.

However, I’ve always thought that PlayStation, of all the VR purveyors, has offered the best bang for the buck in terms of software. You know, selling titles that you’d actually want to play. Perhaps if Sony invests some serious cash into virtual reality development, we could see PSVR2 take off, but I’m not holding my breath.

I honestly think a PSVR2 reboot of PlayStation Home could possibly do it, especially with the digital trinkets you’ll soon be able to earn through PlayStation Stars , though that seems like a longshot. The stuff shown at this recent hands-on event looks very much okay , and Sony’s going to need more than okay to convince regular gamers to throw out an estimated $500 to partake, which is in addition to the $500 PS5 console required to even run the headset. That’s an advantage Meta Quest 2 still holds: Even at $400, there’s no need for additional hardware.

With Meta’s expensive Quest Pro looming over the immediate horizon , PSVR2 is going to be facing stiff competition in the virtual reality space, even though both devices aren’t aimed at casuals in the least. Between middling software choices and prohibitive cost, most VR still appears a ways off from winning over the average consumer, at least in my estimation. That said, I’m actually quite excited for this new generation of devices, and am eager to test out the latest headsets when they finally arrive.

Whether there will be anything worth playing or experiencing on them remains to be seen. Mitch Wallace Editorial Standards Print Reprints & Permissions.