Display

Easily one of the if the not most important aspect of a VR experience, it’s great to see Sony making real efforts where it matters the most. PSVR2 will be sporting a 4K HDR OLED display with a resolution of 2000×2040 per eye which is a massive improvement over the still-OLED but marginally lower resolution PSVR which has a resolution of 960×1080 per eye. On paper, it’s almost a straight bump of 4 times in the resolution department which is certainly appreciable given the fact that many players have had complaints of sub-par visual quality on the original PSVR.

Heck, it’s even better than other VR headsets for PC such as the likes of Oculus Quest 2 which has a resolution of 1832×1920 per eye, and the Valve Index which has a resolution of 1600×1440 per eye. Furthermore, this leap also reflects the target generational bump for resolutions on non-VR games, as Sony targeted a 1080p resolution for games on the PS4 and is likely targeting a full 4K for most games on the PS5. Whether they achieve that target is something that remains to be seen.

Much like the original PSVR, the PSVR2 still has a refresh rate of either 90 or 120 Hz. However, with the target hardware (the PS5) boasting a lot more power than its predecessor, fans can be optimistic about games targeting the upper limit of the available refresh rates more often. Helping this vision of providing the best performance for games is Foveated rendering, which reduces the quality of assets when they are in your peripheral vision – kind of like another fancy LOD swapping technique.

Tracking Technology

The original PSVR was a great attempt by Sony to capture a sizeable chunk of the VR pie when the technology was relatively nascent. However, cuts had to be made to keep the price as low as possible which is especially evident in the tracking technology. The PSVR used the PlayStation Camera to track the movements of the headset and the controllers, which works well enough most of the time but can fail at other times. Sony is fixing this issue with the PSVR2, which features a grand total of 4 inside-out cameras on the headset which will track the movements of the headset as well as the controllers. As such, fans should be able to move their heads and hands a lot more freely without the fear of being out of the line of sight of the camera. Sony has also confirmed that the PSVR2 will have support for eye-tracking, which should open a lot more avenues for game developers aiming to provide a much more realistic experience in the VR space. Finally, the PSVR2 also features a slight increase in the field of vision, approximately 110 degrees instead of the approximately 100 degrees on the PSVR.

Controllers And Feedback

The PSVR 2 comes with a set of new controllers, which Sony calls interestingly enough, the PSVR 2 Sense controllers. The headset cameras track the movements through a ring at the bottom of the controller, so it seems unlikely that fans would be able to use the DualSense controller instead of dedicated controllers. However, it needs to be clarified that Sony hasn’t confirmed anything on the matter just yet. Unlike the PS Move mic-shaped controllers, this is a new orb-shaped design that Sony claims should allow players to make movements a lot more freely than before and open up new gameplay experiences. Using Bluetooth version 5.1, the most interesting aspect of the controllers is the inclusion of DualSense technology such as haptic feedback and adaptive triggers through the use of refined rumble motors, which was absent in the original PS Move controllers.

There’s also a similar vibration motor present on the headset, which would work in tandem with those found in the controllers for an even more immersive experience. Of course, we have already seen how the DualSense feedback can elevate our playing experiences to another level, and this more refined feedback is a natural fit for VR. Combine that with PS5’s 3D audio Tempest engine and we are looking at a very robust feedback system that’s a huge step-up over the last generation. Another noteworthy improvement is the inclusion of finger touch detection, which would allow players to make hand gestures during gameplay, opening up even more options for sophisticated controls.

Setup, Backwards Compatibility, And Concluding Thoughts

The PSVR had a very cumbersome setup experience, wherein players would have to use a breakout box and fit more than a handful of cables every time they wanted to play a VR game. With the PSVR2, Sony is offering a much more streamlined setup experience with the headset only requiring a single USB-C cord. And on the topic of backward compatibility, Sony has clarified that it has nothing to announce at the moment although things might change further down the line. Sony already has an impressive library of PSVR experiences, so getting the headset to work with existing PSVR games would also be a big win for both Sony and gamers alike. But it’s better to keep expectations low in this regard.

All in all, Sony has a great VR headset in its hands and we cannot wait to see it in action. From the souped-up display configuration to the robust feedback system to a hassle-free setup experience, Sony is set to deliver a massive generational bump and once again make a mark on the VR market. Rumours suggest that the headset will enter mass production soon, with a target release window of 2022 itself.

However, the most pressing question right now is – what’s the price? The PSVR might have cut some corners, but it was able to cement itself as a successful product due to its attractive price point, selling over 5 million units as of January 2020. Sony is placing a lot of bets on AAA VR development right now, and it needs to catch the lightning in a bottle with its pricing once again if it wants to generate profitable revenue from the likes of Horizon: Call of the Mountain and the London Studio game that’s currently in development.

The Oculus Quest 2 retails at around $299, while the Valve Index (an arguably much more sophisticated VR headset) retails at around $900. Sony should try to keep the PSVR price point below $400 and as much in line with the Quest 2 as possible. Also, given the fact that PSVR2 isn’t as flexible of a system as PSVR which could also work with DualShock controllers or the PS Camera – fans should expect to pay up a single price for the full package.

As reported by Xueqiu (via Push Square), component supplier Goertek has reportedly landed the contract with Sony for the supply of components for the next-gen PSVR headset. As per the report, the headset will enter production soon, with manufacturing nearly ready to behin.

Goertek already has a working relationship with Sony and PlayStation, having previously collaborated on the original PSVR, as well as the PS5. Interestingly, Goertek is currently working with Meta on Quest 2. The company has previously said that it’s working with a major Japanese company on a new VR headset that is expected to ship 1-2 million units upon its launch later this year- all of which sounds an awful lot like a new PSVR headset.

Reports have previously claimed that PSVR 2 – or whatever Sony ends up calling it – will launch in Holiday 2022, which also falls in line here. Several other leaks have also revealed potential details on the headset’s hardware capabilities- read more on that through here and here.

We posed the question to them in a recent interview, asking specifically about the next-gen PSVR headset that is currently in the works at PlayStation. When asked about improvements over the current PSVR that they want to see, they highlighted things such as improved performance, better tracking, and more accessible and intuitive controls.

“Our main expectation is to see it support higher overall performance,” the developer said. “Wanderer is quite graphic intense. We’d love to really make the most of our beautiful immersive environments and would love the chance to see future PSVR games in higher quality graphics, with a smoother frame rate experience. As well as this, better tracking and more intuitive, VR friendly controls would further enhance the feel of immersion. These are all to be expected with any next-gen VR product and we’re really excited to what PSVR2 will bring to the Wanderer journey. Overall it’s about creating a more comfortable, intuitive and intimate gameplay experience.”

While Sony has spoken about how the next PSVR is improving inputs and controls with its new controllers, details on the headset itself and its innards remain scant for now. That said, reports and leaks have suggested that major improvements could be on the way, including everything from an OLED screen to 4K support and more.

Wanderer, meanwhile, will be launching for PlayStation VR and PC on January 27, 2022. Our full interview with its developers will be live soon, so stay tuned for that.

The publisher also shared details on its top five most-played PlayStation VR titles, namely Rec Room, Beat Saber, PlayStation VR Worlds, The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim VR and Resident Evil 7: biohazard. Region-wise, Rec Room dominated North America and Europe. In Japan, it was Resident Evil 7: biohazard that topped the charts.

This move could potentially mean a stronger push for VR gaming in the future. Sony has already confirmed next-generation PlayStation VR hardware for the PS5 with controllers that have adaptive triggers and finger touch detection. Rumors claim the headset will launch in holiday 2022. In addition to this, Firesprite Studios recently joined PlayStation Studios and is rumored to be working on a VR title in the Horizon franchise.

Speaking on the recent Xbox Era podcast, Xbox Era co-founder Nick Baker – who has a decent track record with accurate leaks, including Sony-related ones – said that Firesprite is working on a Horizon game for the upcoming next-gen PSVR headset. Baker says it won’t be a VR version of Horizon Zero Dawn or Horizon Forbidden West, but rather a separate game set in the series.

One thing that Baker isn’t quite sure of is if it will be a full game or more of a VR experience. “I didn’t get told if it’s a full-blown game like Half-Life: Alyx, or if it’s an ‘experience’ like that Batman [Arkham] thing. That part I don’t know,” he said.

Upon Firesprite’s acquisition, PlayStation Studios boss Hermen Hulst recently said that the studio’s games would be more unique and experimental than the sort of output that is generally associated with Sony first party studios. Firesprite does have plenty of experience with VR, having developed the likes of The Playroom and The Persistence– though Hulst has also said that doesn’t necessarily mean they will only be working on VR games, so there’s that.

Either way, we’ll keep an eye out for new details, so stay tuned for more updates. Until then, as with any other unverified leak, take this with a grain of salt.

Over on Reddit, a user claims that Sony is planning a new PlayStation Experience event for December, for which several announcements are planned. One of this is the formal reveal of a new studio that was set up in Japan, along with an announcement of what it’s working on. The next-gen PSVR headset will also supposedly be revealed, alongside announcements for a new Astro Bot game, as well as a WipEout revival (which has been previously rumoured as well), both of which will allegedly be PSVR exclusives.

It’s worth noting that previous reports have suggested that Sony no longer wants to focus on exclusive VR games, and instead wants its major AAA releases to also be playable in VR, so the mention of exclusive games for the new headset is a little interesting. Meanwhile, Astro Bot developer Asobi Team also seems to be in the early stages of its new game’s development, so it’s worth asking whether it’ll be ready for an announcement in just a few months.

Also on the docket, according to the leak, is the announcement of a game that has supposedly been in the rumour mill for a long time, but the leaker doesn’t mention what it is. They do, however, say that December’s PSX will be much larger in scope than the recent PlayStation Showcase, with Sony having allegedly held back several big announcements so they could instead focus on third party games as well.

This should always go without saying, but this should be taken with a grain of salt. The leaker claims to have accurately leaked previous recent Sony announcements, including the Housemarque acquisition and the date of the PlayStation Showcase, but there’s no way to verify the legitimacy of their claims here.

We will keep an eye out for new any new details, so stay tuned for more updates.

Not exactly, it would seem. Speaking to GamesIndustry, when asked about Firesprite’s experience with VR and whether that will see them prioritizing VR development, PlayStation Studios Hermen Hulst said that that won’t necessarily be the case.

“Not necessarily,” he said. “Clearly the expertise that Firesprite has gained on their work with The Persistence and The Playroom is something that they bring to the table. It’s too early to talk about what specific platforms or experiences that we’re going to collaborate on with Firesprite. But that experience is very valuable.”

Firesprite managing director Graeme Ankers added that the studio’s first priority will be to innovate regardless of what they’re developing, and that whether or not a game should be VR-compatible would be decided based on what’s right for the game.

“The philosophy that we have is to really innovate and create on any platform,” Ankers said. “Whether that’s VR or non-VR. VR is amazing. It really changes the paradigm of design and immerses you in those worlds. It doesn’t really matter for us what the hardware is, we’ll maximise and create and innovate for that particular hardware.

“We’ve got experience on a lot of VR projects and on a lot of non-VR projects throughout our history. It’s about being brave and creating those experiences that really showcase what any platform feature can deliver, and the best experience for the game, of course.”

Interestingly enough, leaks have claimed that a new WipEout game is in development for PS5 and will be fully playable with the next-gen PSVR headset. Firesprite is, of course, comprised of various WipEout creator Studio Liverpool developers and leads. Whether or not anything comes of that remains to be seen.

Insider @Shpeshal_Nick recently took to Twitter and said that a new WipEout game is currently in development, apparently at XDEV and Lucid Games (who recently partnered on Destruction AllStars as well). Apparently, the game is being made for PS5 and PSVR 2. A recent leak claimed that Sony was focusing on AAA development for its next VR headset, and a new mainline WipEout game would certainly fall in line with that.

The last major WipEout release was Omega Collection, which, of course, was excellent, and was also compatible with PSVR. It remains one of the best PSVR games to date, in fact, so if this does turn out to be true, series fans will definitely have plenty of reasons to be excited.

@Shpeshal_Nick has has a pretty good track record with leaks, and has also been accurate with PlayStation-related information in the past. Recently, he leaked the Iki Island expansion for Ghost of Tsushima. Either way, this is still an unverified leak, so remember to treat it as such.

In related news, another big PlayStation exclusive also seems to have been leaked. It seems FromSoftware is working on a new PlayStation-exclusive Soulslike IP- read more on that through here.

You know what? Screw it. I’ll risk pissing someone off. Don’t wanna get scooped again. Been told Wipeout is coming back. Planned to be a VR2/PS5 title. Most likely an XDEV project. Still early in the project.

— Balatro Nick  (@Shpeshal_Nick) August 11, 2021

Yes, I am of the belief that Lucid Games is on this one https://t.co/yOcgV4N7mH

— Balatro Nick  (@Shpeshal_Nick) August 11, 2021

For starters, for now, Sony is internally referring to the headset as NGVR (Next-Gen VR), not PSVR 2, and the specs for the headset are certainly quite interesting. It will allegedly feature Fresnel OLED screens with a 2000×2040 resolution per eye, which is something that has been previously leaked as well. Also featured are HDR support and a 110 degrees field of view, along with Flexible Scaling Resolution, foveated rendering, and eye tracking.

The new headset is also allegedly going to use haptics in order to increase immersion and reduce motion sickness. On the controller front, Sony is also including analogue-based capacitive touch sensors for finger tracking, which will be able to track the distance between players’ fingers and thumb.

One interesting thing that Sony supposedly mentioned during the behind-closed-doors presentation was its approach to development of content for VR. Rather than focusing on VR experiences the way it did during the PS4 generation, it seems Sony is looking to shift gears to development of full-scale AAA games that will serve as hybrid experiences, giving players the option to either play normally or with a VR headset.

It also doesn’t seem like there will be backward compatibility support for the PSVR headset, though it’s likely that Sony will end up remastering a few key games. Meanwhile, it seems the plan right now is to reveal the new headset some time in early 2022. Previous reports have suggested that Sony is targeting a late 2022 launch.

This is all unconfirmed information, of course, so take it with a grain of salt for now, but PSVR Without Parole has been a reliable source of PSVR-related news in the past. Either way, we’ll keep you updated should any new details come our way, so stay tuned.

While Sony hasn’t officially given a launch date (or even a launch window) for it, a new report by Bloomberg claims that anonymous sources with knowledge of the project, the next-gen PSVR headset is currently targeting a 2022 lunch. The report also states that PSVR 2 will use Samsung OLED displays in its goggles.

Another report earlier this year suggested that the new PSVR will offer a resolution of 4000×2040 pixels, 2000×2040 pixels per eye, for a total of roughly 8.16 million, in addition to gaze tracking for foveated rendering, inside-out tracking, and more. You can read the full report through here.