The technology to develop virtual reality gaming is ever expanding, and Sony has already stepped into the ring with its own PlayStation VR. After launching to the world in late 2016, millions have entered the virtual worlds through Sony's device. While the PlayStation VR experience wasn't as powerful as some PC counterparts, it was an affordable option for those that had a PS4 and wanted to try out VR. Back then, players could use the PlayStation Move controllers and VR headset to enjoy games like Astro Bot: Rescue Mission, Blood and Truth, and Beat Saber.
Many fans were disappointed when PlayStation VR wasn’t supported on the PS5 at launch, and that there were no new VR peripherals launching with the next-gen console. Thankfully, PS5 owners just need a special adapter from Sony (free of charge) in order to use their VR devices on the new console. However, Sony has started revealing information about its plans for its next upgrade in VR gaming. There is a decent amount of information to know all about PlayStation VR 2.
PlayStation VR 2 Is Announced
Earlier this year, Sony released the very first details about its next-gen VR plans. Hideaki Nishino, Senior Vice President of Platform Planning and Management, took to the PlayStation blog to officially announce Sony is working on a next-generation VR system for the PS5. While improvements upon the previous PS VR are a given, Nishino explained that the next system will have dramatic leaps in performance and immersion. Even though no official name was revealed for the new system, PlayStation VR 2 could be a likely candidate.
Perhaps one of the most exciting reveals for Sony's next-gen VR system is that it will connect to the PS5 via a single cord. The current version of PlayStation VR receives continual criticism for its complex set up, as it has multiple cables to hook up along with an entirely separate processing unit for the device. If PS VR 2 can truly connect to the PS5 through one single cord, that would be an immense burden lifted off players.
To the excitement of many fans, Nishino said that PS VR 2 will enhance everything from resolution to fields of view, tracking to input, and even more. As technology keeps improving and interest in VR keeps growing, companies have been more willing and able to innovate with virtual reality hardware. Sony's next-gen VR headset could predict a user's eye movements, for example, leading to faster response times for rendered scenes.
Additional patents have been giving fans some ideas as to what is in store with PS VR 2, and it looks like Sony is trying to make major advancements for its next-gen VR peripherals. Even though the current PlayStation VR headset will probably not be able to run next-gen VR games, Sony will still have to convince players to buy into PS VR 2. There has to be a major upgrade in terms of Sony's tech to make it worth it, and it looks like the company understands that.
PlayStation VR 2 Release Date and Price
Now that PlayStation VR 2 is officially in the works and on people's minds, many want to know when it will be released. Unfortunately, it doesn't look like it will be any time soon. In Nishino's post, he stated that this next-gen VR system won’t be launching in 2021. There is still plenty of development that needs to be done for the system, so fans will have to be patient. Since PS VR 2 won't launch this year, that leaves a couple ideas as to when it could come out.
The more obvious theory is that PS VR 2 will come out some time in 2022, at the earliest. Sony kept information about the PS5 highly under wraps until closer to its launch window. So to see the company starting to talk about its new VR system makes it seem like its release could be relatively close. Apparently, there are already game developers creating games specifically for this new hardware, which helps support a release date sometime in 2022. On the flip side, the original PlayStation VR was first revealed in 2014, but didn't release until 2016, so who knows? Until Sony gives an official time frame for release, it will just be speculation.
Like the release date, there isn't an official price set for Sony's VR system for the PS5 yet. When the PlayStation VR launched, it went for $400, and PS VR bundles can generally be found now for about $350 or more. Sony will probably want to keep its VR hardware in the affordable range, but might not be afraid to charge a premium price if it believes it is necessary. Until more information is released about things like the new headset and hardware specifications, it would be hard to settle on a possible price.
PlayStation VR 2 Has New Controllers
Aside from the original announcement itself, the more exciting news comes from another PlayStation blog from Nishino. Sony has revealed the controllers for PS VR 2, and they are definitely a change of pace from what has come before. While the PlayStation Move controllers were unique in their own right, the new design is more in line with modern VR systems like Oculus Touch. Instead of the PS VR camera tracking the lights in the PlayStation Move controllers and VR headset, the next-gen headset will directly track each controller through the tracking ring at the bottom.
The PS VR 2 controllers will also have a greater focus on ergonomics, providing a more user-friendly experience. These will also incorporate different features Sony developed for the new DualSense controllers for the PS5. Each of the controllers has adaptive triggers and haptic feedback, adding trigger tension and deeper immersion for the VR experience. Also, the PS VR 2 controllers have finger touch detection, allowing for a greater range of detection for hand positioning.
Though these cool orb-like controllers are only prototypes, it is a big step forward from Sony's special banana controllers. Nishino detailed the current button placement for each controller as well. The left controller has an analog stick, the triangle and square buttons, a “grip” button, a trigger button, and the Create button. The right controller contains an analog stick, the X and circle buttons, another “grip” button, a trigger button, and the Options button. All together, the new PS VR 2 controllers look useful and like they would belong to a next-generation VR set.
PlayStation VR 2 Game Development is Underway
As mentioned earlier, the original announcement for Sony's next VR system revealed that game developers are already hard at work creating unique experiences for gamers to enjoy on PS VR 2. Since then, one of the first games for the PlayStation VR 2 has also been pretty much confirmed. The founder and CEO of Vankrupt Games, David Villareal, responded to a player question as to whether the popular Pavlov VR game would be coming to PlayStation VR. Villareal responded that the current model could not run the game, so it will be coming to PS VR 2 as a result.
Since Sony plans to send out the new controllers to developers soon, it is likely that Vankrupt Games will get right to work on adapting Pavlov VR for the PS5. VR shooter Blood & Truth was a popular 2019 title for PSVR, and London Studio, the developer behind Blood & Truth, is teasing its next game. Since the developer has referred to this new project as something with "HUGE potential" with an ambitious vision, many are thinking it could related to a new VR game for Sony's next-gen system. As game developers start getting the ability to try out Sony's new controllers and VR gear, fans should start to hear more and more announcements about PS VR 2 games in development.
As it seems, Sony is hoping to make this next-gen PlayStation VR "future proof." Sony definitely wants to make a VR system that can last the entire lifecycle of the PS5, and can be implemented in unique ways for all the games that could come to PS5. For example, there is a rumored rune drawing feature in Elder Scrolls 6, which could have some big implications for VR in the game. If PS VR 2 could be powerful enough to run Elder Scrolls 6 well, there will no doubt be an influx of VR users for the game.
There are still so many unknown details about PS VR 2 at this point, and fans will just have to keep waiting for more information. Sony is happy with the initial reception to PS VR 2, so it might want to cash in on the hype and reveal more info as soon as it can. Sony will probably reveal a redesigned headset sometime soon, and maybe even some PS5 VR games. There will probably be a big reveal for the official name, whether it's "PlayStation VR 2," "PS5 VR," or something completely unique. For the time being, fans will just have to wait in anticipation.