Sony’s second virtual reality headset looks like an interesting prospect. Here’s everything we know about PS VR2.
As the release of the PS VR2 approaches. We’re slowly learning more about what we can expect from Sony’s latest virtual reality headset. We’ve received several updates on the system so far, each one giving us more clues as to what’s in store for PS VR2.
Virtual reality is quickly becoming the future of gaming, and the PS VR2 is shaping up to be the headset that can take us there. Here’s everything we know about PS VR2 so far.
What will PS VR2 look like?
The official design of the system was revealed in an update posted on the PlayStation Blog on February 22, 2022. While it bears similarities to the original PS VR, they are definitely siblings, not places.
The new PS VR2 headset (pictured above) features an identical design to its predecessor. It has retained the adjustable halo strap that made it one of the most comfortable headsets on the market. As well as the same rounded shape as its older counterpart.
It is, however, an upgrade over the PlayStation 5’s stark black and white color scheme. The PS VR2’s resemblance to PlayStation’s ninth-gen console means they’ll certainly make an attractive pairing on any gamer’s mantle. But while that’s cool, the color scheme wasn’t the biggest design change that caught gamers’ attention.
Controllers
The PSVR 2 will be ditching the dated PlayStation Move controllers that were first released alongside the PS3 in 2010. Instead, these controllers will be replaced with next-gen PSVR 2 controllers, which are more similar to the Meta Quest 2.
The PS VR2 will adopt an inside-out tracking system for its controllers. The inside-out tracking system uses a series of LED lights that apply. To both the controllers and the headset itself, meaning that no matter where you are, the headset should always be in the range of the controllers.
This method of motion tracking is what Meta Quest 2 uses and has proven. To be highly reliable when compared to previous PS VR controllers. It should be a vast improvement from the PSVR and that’s definitely something we’re excited about.
Wired vs Wireless
Much to the dismay of gamers, the PS VR2 will still be a wired system that connects directly to the PlayStation console. Wired headsets have many advantages and disadvantages.
A wired VR headset means you never have to worry about your system’s battery life and, at the very least, it makes the price point much cheaper than wireless alternatives.
Better ventilation
One issue that plagues dedicated VR users is the system’s screen after long gaming sessions. The PS VR2 will add a solution to this problem by adding vents throughout the headset to improve air circulation.
Yujin Morisawa, the senior art director at SIE who led PS VR2’s headset design, explained. In a PlayStation Blog post, “When I started working on the design of the PlayStation VR2 headset, one of the areas. I focused on Wanted. The idea of building vents into the headset to let the air out, like the vents on the PS5 console that allow for airflow”.
This small but important design feature can be found between the top and front surfaces. The circle in the final design of the PS VR2.
PS VR2 features and specs
According to the PS VR2 product page on the PlayStation website, the PS VR2 will feature:
Display Fresnel OLED screen
Resolution 4K HDR, 2000 x 2040 per eye
FOV 110 degrees
Refresh rate 90, 120 Hz
FSR Flexible scaling resolution concentrates rendering resources on the player’s area of focus
Eye tracking Yes
Haptics in headset Yes
Controllers Adaptive triggers, capacitive touch sensors
This is a big upgrade from the original PS VR which only had a 100-degree field of view and a 1920×1080 per eye OLED display. The original PS VR suffered from graphical issues, including blurry visuals and the screen door effect. These improved specs will hopefully solve most of them.
Eye examination
One of the PS VR2’s most exciting new features is its eye-tracking capability. This uses sensors that can detect your eye movements, allowing the headset to adjust without requiring the user to move their entire head.
There are VR headsets on the market that currently uses eye-tracking technology, but these are primarily business-focused headsets. It will be incredible to see what eye-tracking technology can do for the world of VR gaming.
By showing
Another update that was posted on the PlayStation Blog on July 26, 2022, revealed many of the key features of PS VR2, one of which is the viewing feature. The switch from using the PlayStation Eye camera to adding one to the headset. Itself allows users to access the PS VR2’s camera while still wearing the headset. By touching the function button on the side of the headset, players can turn on the internal camera to see around them.
This feature is a great quality of life improvement. By allowing gamers to check their phone if they’re receiving a call or find their lost PS VR2 controllers without removing them. With the headset, they’ll be able to have a more seamless VR gaming experience.
This internal camera is what allows the PS VR competitor, Meta Quest 2, to track the movements of players’ fingers. It finally allows players to use the headset without a controller in compatible games. If you’re interested in giving some controller-free VR games a try, check out the best VR games to play without a controller.
Custom play area
Another issue that Sony is addressing with the PS VR2 is the lack of security features the original PR VR had. Immersion is the name of the game with virtual reality. This makes it incredibly easy to get so involved in your game that you completely lose track of your surroundings.
The reality of the game becomes your reality. We’ve all seen videos online where people get so overwhelmed that they run headfirst into a wall or punch their TV square in the face because they think it’s a face-eating zombie.
PS VR2 will allow players to create a customized game area. Using PS VR2 to map their environment, users can create a range within which they can play safely. The system will alert the player when they are getting close to the edge of the boundary, so they can move back to the safe zone.
broadcast
PS VR2 may change the game for Twitch streamers. Using the PS5 HD camera, players can stream their footage directly to their streaming service using their VR headset.
The streamer’s image will be superimposed over the feed from the headset itself to give viewers a first-hand account of everything that goes on during this intense boss battle. This feature will make streaming from devices easier than ever for content creators.
What games will be on PS VR2?
The tech and specs in VR headsets are great, but what good are they if there aren’t games to use them with? Thankfully, this doesn’t appear to be a problem with the PS VR2. During the Game and Network Services segment of Sony’s 2022 Business Segment Briefings (Slide 23), Jim Ryan revealed that the PS VR2 will be released with 20+ first- and third-party games at launch.
Some of these games have already been announced, such as Horizon: Call of the Mountain. Horizon: Call of the Mountain is being developed exclusively for the PS VR2 and is expected. To be a launch title for the new system that takes full advantage of the PS VR2’s upgraded features.
Cinema mode
Like the PS VR, you’ll also be able to play any game with the PS VR2, thanks to its Cinema Mode. Cinema mode allows you to reach extreme immersion with any of your favorite PlayStation games and expand the PS VR library tenfold.
It’s worth noting, however, that the PS VR2 is PlayStation 5-exclusive hardware and no original PS VR games are expected to be released on the PlayStation 5. So while you can use PS VR2 on PS5 to play backward-compatible PS4 titles. The two headsets are not interchangeable.
You can also use Cinema Mode to watch Blu-ray movies through your PlayStation or stream shows from Netflix and other apps.
Cinema mode on PS VR2 will work in 1920×1080 HDR video format with frame rates of 24/60Hz and 120HZ.
When will PS VR2 be released?
While PlayStation has released a lot of information. It’s a next-gen VR headset, we still don’t have a confirmed release date or price for the console.
While fans are left to speculate on the price of the PS VR2. A tweet from PlayStation UK and one from PlayStation France (shown above) seem to confirm that the PS VR2 will launch in early 2023.
Now it’s just a waiting game
This is a summary of all the information we have about PS VR2 so far. It’s only a matter of time until we get another update, possibly including a price and release date for the PS VR2.
Sony traditionally sticks to the holiday release window for its big releases, so it’s possible the next update could arrive later in 2022.
