Sony confirms PSVR2 launches in February 2023, will cost $549.99
Sony have announced a release date of February 2023 for the PlayStation VR 2, at a cost of $549.99.
Will PSVR2 be a game changer?
When Virtual Reality became cool again a few years ago, a bunch of pundits told us it was here to stay, and that “finally” Virtual Reality was not only useable, it was going to become the main way people would interact with computers moving forward.
My personal experience has been that VR remains a gimmick, which oftentimes gets in the way of my enjoyment, or doesn’t enhance it enough to justify the weight or overall bulkiness of the device. Yeah, the PSVR was cool, but it spent more time in the closet than connected to the console.
But VR devices have evolved since the PSVR was released in 2016. Competitors have become better too, so it will be interesting to see what Sony has learned in the past 6 years.
PSVR2 Pricing, Launch, and features
Sony confirmed the PSVR2 will launch in February next year with preorders available as early as November 15, and the price will be as follows, depending on your location:
- $549.99 / €599.99 / £529.99 / ¥74,980 recommended retail price (including tax for GBP, EUR, and JPY)
- Includes PS VR2 headset, PS VR2 Sense controllers and stereo headphones
They will also sell a separate charging station:
- PlayStation VR2 Sense controller charging station
- $49.99 / €49.99 / £39.99 / ¥5,480 recommended retail price (including tax for GBP, EUR, and JPY)
- Players can charge the PS VR2 Sense controller through a simple click-in design, without having to connect to a PS5 console – freeing up the console’s USB ports.
Can I say I’m not a fan of the design of the PS5 lineup?
PSVR2 will not be backward compatible with the PS4, or with original PSVR games, so this targets PS5 owners only, and will require a bunch of new PSVR2 compatible PS5 games. The announcement mentions a Horizon Zero Dawn spin-off (Horizon Call of the Mountain), and more than 20 PSVR2 games available at launch, without providing more details.
In terms of technology, a lot has already been announced on PSVR2, but Sony reiterated the features of the device:
| Display method | OLED |
| Panel resolution | 2000 x 2040 per eye |
| Panel refresh rate | 90Hz, 120Hz |
| Lens separation | Adjustable |
| Field of View | Approx. 110 degrees |
| Sensors | ・Motion Sensor: Six-axis motion sensing system (three-axis gyroscope, three-axis accelerometer)・Attachment Sensor: IR Proximity sensor |
| Cameras | ・4 cameras for headset and controller tracking・IR camera for eye tracking per eye |
| Feedback | Vibration on headset |
| Communication with PS5 | USB Type-C® |
| Audio | ・Input: Built-in microphone・Output: Stereo headphone jack |
PlayStation VR2 Sense Controller Specifications
| Buttons | [Right]PS button, Options button, Action buttons (Circle / Cross), R1 button, R2 button, Right Stick / R3 button[Left]PS button, Create button, Action buttons (Triangle / Square), L1 button, L2 button, Left Stick / L3 button |
| Sensing/ Tracking | Motion Sensor: Six-axis motion sensing system (three-axis gyroscope + three-axis accelerometer)Capacitive Sensor: Finger Touch DetectionIR LED: Position Tracking |
| Feedback | Trigger Effect (on R2/L2 button), Haptic Feedback (by single actuator per unit) |
| Port | USB Type-C® port |
| Communication | Bluetooth® Ver5.1 |
| Battery | Type: Built-in Lithium-ion Rechargeable Battery |
This looks great on paper: the resolution in particular beats even the best VR headsets nowadays (except maybe for the HP Reverb G2), while the field of view seems to be slightly better than average. The refresh rate feels like it is on the low end of the spectrum (Valve Index has an experimental 144Hz mode), but overall it’s a significant step-up compared to the original PSVR (resolution of 960×1080 for each eye). It will be interesting to see how it compares e.g. to the Meta Quest 2, although I can’t help but feel that Sony are pricing it a bit expensively for its specs, because PS5 users have no other choice.
I’m sure early testers will use words such as “revolutionary” and “game changer”. But as far as I’m concerned, as long as motion sickness is here, I’ll stay away from the device. At the very least, I’m in “wait and see” mode. Without any more games announced to go with it, I’ll definitely wait.
Will you be getting the PSVR2? Let us know in the comments.
source: PlayStation blog
I’m all for newer devices if they can provide improvements upon an existing model, however the fact that it’s not backwards compatible is definitely a deal breaker and that it’ll be about the price of a PS5. People can barely get a PS5 let alone another console specific device. I’m a fan of Sony including all the ‘enhancements’ the hacking community and folks at Wololo have contributed but again paying for a niche of a niche peripheral device is NOT the way to go. So what, I’m suppose to have not (1) but (2) VR headsets to play certain games? Get out of here with that. Also, put House of the Dead in VR, just saying lol
Most people need to find an affordable PS5 before they can even get this expensive *** peripheral.
And I agree VR is still a gimmick, until there are better games and more support from developers.
Who cares its not like they’ll have stock anywhere.
Still wired.
luckly I have xsx no wr ***