Everything We Know About PSVR 2
PlayStation 5 owners got a little treat during 2022's CES conference when Sony unveiled some details on its long-awaited follow-up to the PlayStation 4's PSVR. While there's still a great deal of mystery around the new peripheral, such as when it will release or even what it'll look like, Sony did reveal some vital new pieces of information. It seems fans are still a ways off from using one in their homes, but now players know what improvements to expect from the updated VR experience and what some of the technology will be called.
The original PSVR peripheral was something of an anomaly in the games industry. It wasn't the most technically impressive headset on the market, but it ended up becoming one of the most popular. The VR set-up offered players an easy and comparatively affordable option when held up against contemporaries, allowing players to use the hardware they already owned rather than requiring a high-end PC and other fixings. Six years after its debut, fans are eager to see how a successor will stack up against competition from modern options like the inexpensive Oculus Quest 2 or Valve's expensive but popular Index. Here's everything we know about Sony's PSVR 2.
PSVR 2 Will Feature Sense Controllers
After first confirming that the follow-up to PlayStation VR will be called PlayStation VR 2, Sony went into a bit of detail regarding how players would interact with their games. The PSVR 2 will feature the newly named PlayStation VR 2 Sense Controllers that Sony initially teased back in March of last year (per PlayStation.Blog). The Sense Controllers physically appear most similar to Valve's Index controllers, feature finger sensors, plus the PS5 DualSense controller's signature Haptic Feedback and Adaptive Triggers.
According to Sony, the technological advancements in PSVR 2 and its controller will change how players interact with VR titles. Sony says PSVR 2 will "introduce a new generation of VR games that enable players to feel a greater sense of presence and become more immersed within their game worlds once they put on the headset and wield the controllers." There's no denying that fiddling with buttons can leave players feeling out of the action, so a more streamlined controller experience — on top of the added DualSense features — is just what the doctor ordered.
What Hardware Updates Does PSVR 2 Introduce?
While PSVR 2's sleek new controllers have gotten a lot of attention — likely because players have actually gotten a glimpse at them — the hardware inside Sony's headset is also seeing a number of significant updates. Perhaps most known is that the upcoming VR peripheral will sport a one-cord set-up. Sony initially revealed this information back in February of last year, but fans now have other news to get excited about.
To help pave the way toward the most immersive VR experience available, Sony has incorporated several new technologies into the PSVR 2 (per PlayStation.Blog). To match the power and fidelity of players' PS5s, Sony's new headset will support a 4K HDR resolution on an OLED display. Sony says, "With an OLED display, players can expect a display resolution of 2000×2040 per eye and smooth frame rates of 90/120Hz."
Speaking of eyes, PlayStation VR 2 will support eye-tracking so players can enjoy games even more naturally. Players also won't have to worry about connecting external cameras to their console either. PSVR 2 will feature embedded cameras to track a players' head and hands, so fans don't have to worry about shelling out for a PlayStation branded camera to make the whole package work. Finally, like the Sense Controllers, the headset itself is capable of delivering responsive feedback to make explosions and vibration all the more life-like.
What Games Will Be Available For PSVR 2?
As of now, there's only been one game confirmed for the PlayStation VR 2 — but it's an entry in a fan-favorite series. Sony revealed that both Guerrilla Games and Sony's newly-acquired Firesprite Games are currently developing a "Horizon" series spin-off called "Horizon Call of the Wild."
While there's little known about the new game other than it's an original adventure set in the "Horizon" universe explicitly made to take advantage of Sony's new VR hardware, the brief trailer infers many of the franchise's signature trappings will remain intact, albeit through the lens of VR. The teaser showcases Guerrilla's lush, beautiful world inhabited by robotic dinosaurs and a new character, but not too much else. That said, a former Guerrilla Games developer took to Twitter to boldly claim, "I didn't work on it, but I promise you this will change what AAA means for VR. It's amazing."
Though "Horizon Call of the Wild" is the first title officially announced for PSVR 2, it's opening the door for the games that will follow. Sony's PlayStation VR 2 is going to bring a lot to the table, from new gaming experiences to massive technical updates, but players still don't know when to expect the hardware. With no release date in sight and having only yesterday learned the official names for the peripherals, fans may still have some time to go before PSVR 2 makes its splash.