PlayStation VR is a decent first effort for Sony's entry into the virtual reality space. With the new generation now upon us, people were unsure for months whether Sony would continue its work in the VR space, but the company recently affirmed its commitment to the platform by announcing a new headset for the PS5.
Other than the announcement in the form of blog post and a small interview with Jim Ryan from GC, fans know little about the upcoming piece of hardware. The following list will help sort out what we do know while pondering the most burning questions.
10 What We Know: New Controller
The first PS VR utilizes the PlayStation Move controllers, which are not the greatest accessories. They were made for the PS3 and their age shows. The next headset will include a wholly unique controller which is set to include some features already in the PS5's DualSense controller. One wonders if it will be one controller or the two separate accessories for each hand to better replicate separate hand movements.
9 Burning Question: How Must Will It Cost?
While the PS4's VR option is far from the best thing available on the market, it is a solid budget alternative. Will the PS5's headset go for a similarly more accessible price point of will it try to charge ahead of the pack and be a technical powerhouse? Cost is a vital factor and will play a huge part in its success or failure. We imagine it will probably be somewhere between $350 and $500, but even this is just a guess.
8 What We Know: It Is Not Coming In 2021
Release dates are a tricky thing in the video game industry. People are used to games getting delayed all the time, and we would not be surprised these days if consoles get pushed back.
Sony is currently not ready to reveal any release date, but it says the headset will definitely not be coming in 2021. Even though it is not coming this year, we hope to at least see it in action sometime within 2021.
7 Burning Question: What Is The Release Date?
Even if Sony did not expect the headset to come out until 2023, many fans would appreciate at least approximately knowing when it will come out. Having at least a window will help consumers adjust their budget and influence their current purchasing decision. If it is coming out in two years, then maybe it is worth it to buy a PS VR now. A 2022 release might have people hold off a bit on a current purchase.
6 What We Know: A Single Cable Connects To The Console
Several VR headsets include cordless setups to enable more free movement. The PS VR is not one of these, requiring two cables going into the headset in order to run. The next headset promises to cut this down to one. Players will still have to tend with being tethered to a console via wire, but having to deal with one less HDMI cable should still help make the setup more convenient.
5 Burning Question: How Powerful Is It?
The PS4 can only do so much when it comes to VR, though several games like Astro Bot: Rescue Mission and Resident Evil 7 manage to impress. With the PS5's horsepower behind the next headset, we wonder just how powerful it will be. Will it be able to run the current top of the line VR games? Imagine a world where PS5 owners could conceivably play Half-Life: Alyx; that would be a dream come true.
4 What We Know: Dev Kits Are Going Out Soon
In a recent interview from GQ with Jim Ryan, the president of Sony Interactive Entertainment revealed that dev kits are going out to studios soon. This should tell people something about the potential release of the headset.
Games can start development before the kits are in the studio, but we don't see a world where the games come out anytime sooner than 18 months from now. Hopefully these developers at least tell us what the new headset is capable of sometime in the near future.
3 Burning Question: Will It Need A Separate Box?
PS VR currently requires a box separate from the PS4, adding yet another step to the equation. If the next headset is looking to increase the comfort and user experience, then Sony will probably want to find a way to eliminate the processor box. However, we are currently in the dark as to Sony's plans regarding this. It would be nice to just plug the headset directly into the PS5.
2 What We Know: Improved Resolution, Tracking And Input
While this seems like a no-brainer for a next-generation piece of VR hardware, it is good to know that Sony is dedicated to improving all aspects of the VR experience. Improved resolution, tracking, and input will go towards creating more immersive experiences. It will not only help games feel better, but also make for experiences impossible on the current hardware, which is definitely showing its age.
1 Burning Question: The Launch Lineup
A piece of gaming hardware is nothing without some great software to back it up. With the release nowhere in sight, Sony has also not revealed any details about potential games coming out alongside it. We have no doubt a sequel to Astro Bot: Rescue Mission and another game from the developer of Blood and Truth will come about. Perhaps the new headset will even see ports of popular VR games from other platforms that are currently too hardware intensive for the current PS VR.