One of the biggest rumored releases of 2022 has had a relatively minor showing so far this year. That release isn't a game, however, but rather the PlayStation VR2. Sony's new virtual reality headset and accompanying motion controllers have been rumored for release in late 2022 or early 2023 for some time, but Sony has yet to make any official announcement. That's still true, but there's newly discovered evidence that shows PS VR2 development is moving along swimmingly.
A photo being shared online shows what appears to be the first PlayStation VR2 to be found in real life. The photo shows a full PS VR2 retail unit, including the virtual reality headset, two new VR controllers, as well as still-packaged cabling. It matches up identically to promotional photos previously shared by PlayStation.
The photo was first shared by developer Bit Planet Games, best known for VR titles Ultrawings and Ultrawings 2, in a now-deleted post on Twitter. The post read "Guess what's coming to PSVR2?" and included the picture alongside it. The implication is that Bit Planet Games is either developing a new VR game for PS VR2 or plans to bring its Ultrawings titles to the new VR platform. As such, the team has been provided a headset ahead of the hardware's availability in order to test the games.
There's nothing particularly revelatory about the photograph outside the fact that seemingly finalized versions of the PS VR2 are now in production, even if they're only being delivered to developers for testing. That could mean that Sony is already stockpiling PS VR2 headsets for their eventual launch, or that Sony is preparing for it. Either way, it's evidence that things are moving forward and the PS VR2's release is growing nearer, though when that release date might be remains to be seen.
While a release date for the PS VR2 headset has yet to be confirmed, a PlayStation blog post regarding the PS VR2 game The Walking Dead: Saints and Sinners - Chapter 2 from early June did hint that the wait may be longer than some expect. The Walking Dead: Saints and Sinners - Chapter 2 was confirmed to launch on PS VR in 2022, but the PS VR2 game is launching in 2023. Many took this as a hint that the PS VR2 headset won't arrive until 2023.
As for when more information regarding the PS VR2 headset can be expected, it's entirely unclear. Sony could hold a PlayStation State of Play in July or August, or it could wait until late 2022. With as many exciting PS VR2 games in development as there are, though, it's inevitable that Sony will want to showcase them. VR enthusiasts will just have to be patient.