New sony vr. Co-op mode in Playstation VR
New PlayStation 5 with
The two million units sold and counted could lead sales of high-end virtual reality headsets, but Sony recently admitted that the PSVR is significantly behind projected sales.
We've got the latest rumors and even inside information on what PlayStation VR could be, a likely release date, potential backwards compatibility, and more.
Let's go!
- What is this? Next version of PlayStation VR;
- When should we expect it? 2020-2021 with the release of PlayStation 5;
- What is the price? At the PlayStation VR level – $499 (30,000 rubles);
PLAYSTATIONVR 2: RELEASE DATE
It's almost certain that PSVR 2 will work exclusively with PlayStation 5 (more on that below).
And based on Sony's latest revelations, the latest PlayStation console likely won't be released until 2020.
PlayStation chief John Kodera said at the latest corporate strategy meeting that the PS4 sales cycle has begun to tighten, and that the PlayStation team will be working until early 2021 on its next major project.
PS4 Pro will be over four years old by early 2021.
We also know that Sony didn't announce any new hardware at , so the 2019 show will be much more anticipated. But most analysts predict 2020 as the most likely date.
It's interesting to note that Marcus Sellars, a well-known gaming authority on gaming information, has stated that Sony has already shipped PS5 bundles to third-party partners. Game developers may have already started working on exclusive games for PS5.
At the same time, we haven't heard anything about PSVR 2 development kits. This could mean that Sony is keeping the product under wraps, and the new iteration may not be ready.
But if Sony is focusing most of its efforts on PS5 production, then PSVR could launch much later than the console's release—perhaps a year or later. PlayStation VR launched three years after PS4.
PRICE
The current version of PlayStation VR is selling much cheaper than at the time of release. Today you can buy virtual reality glasses for 23,000 rubles, but this is after two price cuts over the past two years.
The initial cost of the kit was well over 30,000 rubles, so you should have an idea of how much Sony plans to charge for its next VR headset.
Of course, this new headset comes with some potentially expensive technology to enhance the PS5's potential.
Japan Display (JDI), an LCD panel manufacturer partnered with Sony, recently introduced its 3.2-inch displays with a density of 1001 pixels per inch (PPI) and a resolution of 2160 x 2432 pixels. Currently, PSVR offers a density of 386 PPI, and a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels on a 5.7-inch screen.
How pixel density improves virtual reality.
Improving image quality, as well as doubling the number of screens, promises serious growth.
Currently, the only “next generation” headset of its kind is, but it sells for 60,000 rubles. Depending on the hardware of the PlayStation VR 2, Sony may sell the virtual reality headset as a premium device.
But this would likely be at odds with the brand offering an affordable way to enjoy virtual reality. We hope that Sony avoids pricing that would make the headset affordable only to the wealthiest users.
We also recently spotted a patent for improved motion control with finger tracking and haptic feedback.
More expensive PSVR 2 trims may get similar controllers for an extra VR experience that the DualShock simply isn't capable of.
EXCLUSIVE FOR PLAYSTATION 5?
PlayStation 4 owners (especially Pro owners) may be disappointed to discover that PlayStation VR 2 won't work on their consoles.
But, this may be the only option for Sony to make a second headset that is truly next-gen.
We tested PSVR on PS4 and compared the graphics quality with Pro. On the PlayStation 4 Pro, we noticed minor improvements in textures and reduced lag. In the end, however, the difference did not seem important to us.
While the PS4 Pro certainly improves performance, it can't support the higher VR resolutions and extra pixel densities that will come with the new JDI screens.
PSVR 2 may require processing power that the last-gen console simply cannot offer.
Recent rumors suggest that the PlayStation 5 will use the latest AMD Ryzen processor and updated Radeon graphics, which promises a major upgrade to the AMD Jaguar processor for the PS4 and Pro. Sony may have issues with the new headset's compatibility with two separate graphics systems.
PLAYSTATIONVR 2: EQUIPMENT, DESIGN, ACCESSORIES
The only concrete information we know about the PlayStation VR update is that JDI claims 3.2-inch screens with a density of 1001 pixels per inch and a resolution of 2160 x 2432 pixels.
JDI claims the new screens will reduce latency to 2.2ms (compared to 18ms today), clock at 120Hz (same as PSVR 1), and require much more processing power to achieve better image quality - potentially we We're counting on a lighter, smaller headset design.
The updated AMD Ryzen chip that Sony is currently researching could certainly provide the processing power needed to support these displays.
Sony, which uses JDI screens for its smartphones, will likely rely on upgraded screens for its new virtual reality headsets. Considering we've already found the PSVR's design comfortable for long periods of gaming, the successor could be even better to use.
Of course, if PlayStation VR 2 runs on two displays, it will change the graphics requirements significantly. For example, if Sony wants 4K VR, then the PS5 should be able to stream 8K. This high requirement will impact the price, and we'll be getting a device that most PS5 owners probably won't buy.
We suspect the PlayStation VR 2 may go wireless, something HTC has achieved with its new peripheral adapter.
Given that Sony has prioritized reducing the size and weight of the cord that connects the headset to the console in the latest PSVR update, it's clear that the company considers the cable disruptive, even annoying. Removing the cable becomes the logical next step.
So Sony will also make it easier to support tracking from the PlayStation 2. Oculus and HTC have offered 6DoF for several years, and this is one of the main areas where PSVR lags behind the competition.
The PlayStation camera tracks your head and controller movements while playing, but it can't track motion, and our reviewers found that the console often loses the controller even when stationary.
Including room tracking support will help Sony increase the size of its game library, as the PlayStation VR 2 will be able to expand its experience based on your movement around the room.
Of course, this could mean that the new PSVR 2 kit will include a pair of indoor sensors to improve camera tracking.
Most first-generation VR headsets came with a camera, but none included 6DoF tracking sensors.
However, Sony could instead go the route Lenovo took with the headset by incorporating WorldSense tracking technology inside the headset itself. Reducing the number of peripherals can reduce the burden of setup.
We also suspect that Sony plans to double the number of Move controllers. The latest patent shows that the company wants to compete with the controller and Vive by adding improved tracking features to the Move controllers.
Sony's most promising idea is a "reaction force generator" in which parts of the Move controller expand or contract based on what the user is currently "holding" in the game.
This technology can make the experience more immersive than before, without having to ditch controllers entirely (see ).
PLAYSTATIONVR 2:BACKWARD COMPATIBLE
PlayStation VR has received significant support from Sony since its release in 2016. There are currently 150 games available, with Sony promising to release 130 more games by the end of 2018.
Most of these releases will likely come from third-party developers rather than Sony studios, however, this is extremely significant content for a console that the company plans to replace in a couple of years.
That's why it's no surprise that Sony has patented backwards compatibility that would allow PS4 games to be played on PlayStation 5, putting the console on par with Microsoft's backwards compatibility.
We suspect Sony will find a way to make the first-gen VR experience available on second-gen devices, so that new buyers will have a huge library of games right at launch.
PLAYSTATIONVR 2: WHAT THE INDUSTRY NEEDS VR?
As we already mentioned, PlayStation VR did not live up to Sony's expectations. Two million sales is significant compared to competing virtual reality headsets, but Sony expected the lion's share of a market that the company believes will grow.
Instead, Sony likely fears that virtual reality will remain a niche, not capable of the big profits the company had hoped for. Kodera said Sony will be more realistic about what sales it can expect.
Coder's statement said Sony is still committed to producing more VR devices. Unfortunately, the chill in the virtual reality market may mean that Sony will invest less time and money into future virtual reality projects.
But ideally, the PlayStation VR 2, Oculus Rift 2 and other next-gen headsets with better specs and fewer cords could revitalize the market and fully protect Sony's investment in the VR market.
With the announcement that Sony is indeed working on a new console, the question becomes what will happen to PlayStation VR in the future?
While the PSVR may represent something new even after two years, the PlayStation 4 looks like a retiree in the console space, as the PlayStation 4 was originally released towards the end of 2013. Recent releases have also shown that the console is reaching the end of its lifecycle, with developers struggling to squeeze the most performance out of the machine. What could this mean for the future of Sony's virtual reality (VR) system?
Recently, news emerged that Sony is indeed working on a new next-generation console. There's no word yet on whether it will be called the PlayStation 5 or get a different name, but most outlets have decided to stick with the PlayStation 5 for simplicity's sake.
What can we expect from the new PlayStation VR 2?
There haven't been any details on the hardware that the new console will use, but speculation has already begun. Critics point out that PlayStation VR lags behind its rivals HTC Vive and Oculus Rift in many ways, offering lower-resolution displays and previous-generation motion controllers.
Of course, Sony is using what it has learned with PlayStation VR, as well as analyzing competitors, to develop new VR technology. Higher resolution is at the top of most users' wish lists, as well as more precise and intuitive motion controllers. There have even been some signs that Sony is working on these two things, possibly for the PlayStation 5 and PlayStation VR 2.
What can customers hope for? The obvious bet seems to be improved motion tracking that can function across a user's entire room. There are no indications that Sony plans to create a wireless PlayStation VR network, but the possibility of such an outcome still remains.
In terms of direct competitors, Sony generally looks to Microsoft/Xbox and Nintendo on the video game front. However, Xbox appears to have abandoned the VR field entirely, and Nintendo has shown very little interest in creating its own VR headset. This leaves Oculus and HTC Vive as the device's main competitors.
Yes, products from HTC and Oculus may well be perceived as competitors to the theoretical PlayStation VR 2, but whether this will actually be the case is unknown.
Sony presented their “pass” to the world of virtual reality. The price of PlayStation VR has been announced - $400 in the USA or €400 in Europe (in Russia 30,000 rubles, approximately).
The start of sales is scheduled for October 2016. The company shared the news this afternoon during a briefing at GDC (Game Developers Conference) 2016 in San Francisco.
This cost can be considered cheap if you already have a PlayStation 4, but not if you have yet to buy the console. Although the total cost of the PS4 + PlayStation VR bundle is still significantly cheaper than Sony's main competitors in the VR market.
The Oculus Rift will start at $600, and the HTC Vive will retail for $800, but both devices require very powerful computers that will cost many times more than the console itself, which is priced at $350.
But! As always happens with Sony (they love and appreciate it for this), there is a little trick: the basic PlayStation VR set is not equipped with Move controllers, and it also does not include a PlayStation camera - which is exactly what is required to use PSVR. However, you can play without Move using Dualshock 4, but you will still need a camera.
A Sony spokesperson said that this is because many PS4 owners have already purchased the camera. It’s in vain that he says this for everyone, firstly, the price, and secondly, not everyone needed it... until this moment.
PlayStation VR bundles will be sold, and they will likely include things like cameras and Move controllers, but Sony declined to share any more details on this. They are likely preparing more small surprises before sales begin.
The company has confirmed that the final version of PlayStation VR will have the same specifications that we heard in prototypes:
The main 5.7-inch OLED screen is capable of displaying games at 120 frames per second, and has a resolution of 1920 x 1080 RGB, meaning every pixel gets the full full spectrum of RGB colors.
Sony has also promised that 50 games will be released between the October PSVR launch and the end of this year. Sony isn't giving us information on most details beyond that, but it is announcing that there will be a VR version of StarWars: Battlefront that will be exclusive to PlayStation VR.
The resolution is modest, but thanks to 120 fps, the picture in games will be very smooth.
Unlike the Oculus Rift, which looks like Frankenstein's monster of a strap, the PlayStation VR looks like a much more sleek and finished product, although not much has changed in its appearance compared to what we saw two years ago at GDC. Back then the device was called Project Morpheus and no one really believed that Sony would bring it to this level.
Some of the internal parts have been improved during this time, but the overall appearance of the device remains almost the same. PlayStation VR has nine LED lights for 360-degree head tracking, which Sony claims has latency of less than 18ms.
The fidelity and performance of PlayStation VR can't be directly compared to more expensive competitors like HTC and Oculus, but given Sony's focus on the mass market, there's a good chance that PSVR will become the most popular VR device. And this is the main thing.
A few hours ago, Beat Games representative Michaela Dvorakova left a short message on the European PlayStation blog, in which she announced the exact release date of the musical rhythm game Beat Saber, being created for the PlayStation 4. In Europe, the release of this project is scheduled for November 20 this year . Players armed with PlayStation Move controllers will be slicing bits. Literally. Beat Saber gives players a unique experience, allowing them to interact with tracks in a very unusual, but at the same time quite simple way.
The gameplay of this game, as mentioned above, is based on cutting bits, presented in the form of small cubes that rush towards the players. Each bit has a different color to indicate which controller should be used - red or blue, and each has an arrow indicating which direction the hand should be swung. This exciting rhythm game is set in a futuristic world filled with light and fog, which will be explored accompanied by electronic dance music.
The developers remember that a decent amount of time has passed since the announcement, but they spent it on the best, in their opinion, version of Beat Saber that exists today. The PlayStation VR version has a lot of exclusive content, a ton of levels and several new features.
Here is a small selection of innovations that will await you in this game:
Challenging Single-player Campaign – Improve your playstyle every day by completing levels in a single-player campaign created exclusively for PlayStation VR;
Exclusive New Songs - Many players are drawn to the original Beat Saber soundtrack. That’s why the developers are offering the owner of a PlayStation VR headset five exclusive tracks from the best performers of electronic dance music;
Tons of modifiers – new modifiers will make the gameplay even more complex and exciting;
Epic Sabers – Get ready for these shiny beasts because they look absolutely amazing. Just look at how stylishly they glow and cut through the rushing beats;
Practice Mode – The authors know that players have been missing the opportunity to hone their skills in other versions of the game, so they introduced a practice mode. In the PlayStation VR version, players can start anywhere in a given level and even slow down the game to thoroughly explore problem areas.
In addition, in addition to the single-player campaign, Beat Saber has many other modes that can be played either alone or with friends:
Party Mode – Invite your friends or family and enjoy the game together. Anyone can join and start playing in seconds;
Single saber mode – use only one saber, but be careful, because this will not make the game any easier;
Mode without arrows - the player chooses the direction of movement. How fast can a player make his best swing?
Global Leaderboard – Climb to the top of the global leaderboard and compete with other players from around the world.
In addition, the authors plan to support the game after release. The first expansion with ten songs on board will go on sale a few days after the game's release. Players will be able to choose between several music genres and enjoy the work of both established artists and new indie talents. If you have a PlayStation VR headset, be sure to circle November 20, 2018 on your calendar because that's the day you'll have the opportunity to experience one of the best attractions created for the platform. The game is ideal for any players with any gaming experience, as it has a simple and intuitive gameplay. Actually, that’s all for now, don’t forget to watch the latest trailer dedicated to the announced release date of the game.
Insider RuthenicCookie, who has already informed the gaming community that Sony will skip E3 2019, continues to share information available to him regarding the PlayStation 5.
He began by announcing that the name of the next generation gaming console from Sony will not have an Arabic numeral, but a Roman numeral V.
The device will be very powerful and will allow you to easily run games in honest 4K resolution at a stable 60 frames per second. The heart of the PlayStation V will be AMD Ryzen with 8 cores.
The DualShock 5 will have a camera.
The console will be sold at a price of 500 dollars and the starting set of games will include: The Last of Us Part II, Death Stranding, Ghost of Tsushima and Red Dead Redemption 2. At the same time, at first Sony will not separate the owners of PS4 and PS V, so all exclusives will be released on both devices. He also said that Ape Escape 4 is in development and it will most likely also be available for purchase on the day the console launches. But, unfortunately, he hasn’t heard anything about Bloodborne 2. It is also not known whether the PlayStation 5 will have backward compatibility with its predecessor - but he himself very much doubts it.
PS VR 2 will offer wide viewing angles and very high resolution. At the same time, there will be no separate module for data processing: it is built into the PlayStation 5. A camera will be built into the helmet, and the new PS Move controllers will be included. Plus, some special gloves are being developed for this device, but they will have to be purchased separately.
Presumably, the PlayStation 5 will be presented at PlayStation Experience 2019, and its release will take place in the first half of 2020.