PlayStation VR brought virtual reality gaming to a large audience on PS4, and PlayStation VR2 aims to be a major step forward for Sony's VR efforts. PS VR2 brings multiple improvements to compete with the latest technology found on VR headsets and Sony plans to release many new VR games. Some of these new PS VR2 games may support local multiplayer according to a new patent.
Sony refers to PS VR2 as the next generation of virtual reality brought forth through the power of PS5. The PS5's capabilities allows PSVR 2 to support 4K HDR visuals with up to 120 frames per second. High resolution gaming through PS VR2 is possible through the headset's two 2000x2040 OLED displays, which delivers roughly four times the display resolution generated by the original PS VR headset. The new headset is paired with the new PS VR2 Sense controllers to deliver a DualSense-like experience for virtual reality. Many new games will release with PS VR2 including Horizon Call of the Mountain and a PS VR2 version of Resident Evil Village.
Sony filed a new patent involving interactivity between two players wearing PS VR headsets and playing a game locally. The patent details a system that tracks the positioning of a local player to another while a game processes information in real time. VR headsets and a control device synchronize to provide a seamless local multiplayer experience for both players. These players likely experience directional haptic feedback through PS VR2 based on prior VR patents by Sony.
Diagrams for the patent show two players watching an enemy as it passes through their line of sight in the VR headset. A central processing device acts as a terminal for the game between both players, implying that it could be a console such as the PS5. Sony's patent may be a sign of PS VR2 supporting games with local multiplayer, and the diagram displays the system in which a PS VR2 game adjusts to positioning between local players.
Since the PS VR2 headset features a single-cable connection, connecting two headsets to one PS5 could be a possible way of playing PS VR2 games with another player locally. Sony's focus on live-service games could be another indicator of PS VR2 receiving first-party games that support local multiplayer.
However, Sony has not officially announced local multiplayer support for PS VR2 and important details about the headset remain unannounced by Sony such as the release date and pricing. Sony will likely reveal more information in the near future as the company prepares its launch lineup of PS VR2 games.