As unsold stocks multiply, Sony has reportedly made the decision to temporarily interrupt production of the PlayStation VR2. The fault of an exclusive game library that is too meager? Maybe…
The PlayStation VR2 has been available for sale for over a year now. If Sony’s latest virtual reality headset is a real gem of technology, it is encountering some difficulties in massively attracting consumers. Marketed in France at the price (often considered excessive) of 599.99 euros, the VR headset would not have achieved Sony’s ambitions. As proof, sources close to Bloomberg we report today that the Japanese have decided to pause production of their PS VR2.
A year after its release, the PS VR 2 already running out of steam?
Only a few weeks after its launch, the PS VR2 had sold, according to figures communicated by Sony, more than 600,000 copies. If these first results were rather encouraging, particularly given the price applied by the manufacturer, the rest of the journey was obviously not as exciting for the PlayStation VR2. Indeed, since its marketing in February 2023, shipments have continued to decrease over the quarters, without Sony managing to eliminate stocks.
Despite a solid start in terms of exclusive games library, accompanied by major titles such as Horizon: Call of the Mountain, Gran Turismo 7, Resident Evil VIIIor the recent arrival of Resident Evil 4playable entirely in virtual reality, the PS VR2 would suffer, according to Bloombergwith a cruel lack of content.
Sony temporarily ends production of PS VR2
A few days ago, Sony teased the imminent support for its PS VR2 on PC. If this decision could provide some reassurance regarding the brand’s plans with its virtual reality headset, it could well be that it is ultimately the materialization of a problem linked to the flow of stocks. At the moment, remember that you must have a PlayStation 5 to be able to play PS VR2, and that it costs more than the console…
Thus, by extending the compatibility of its VR headset with Windows PCs, Sony would have seen a way to increase the appeal around its accessory. The objective would therefore be to quickly sell off stocks, which are probably struggling to get off the shelves.
It also seems that recent layoffs at Sony (more than 900 in total) played a determining role in this decision to temporarily stop production of the PS VR2. The Firesprite studio, which was notably at work on one of the standard bearers of PS VR2, Horizon: Call of the Mountainwas heavily affected by these massive staff reductions.
Other teams also working on productions intended for PS VR2 are unfortunately affected, fatally affecting the production of several projects currently under development.
Do you think Sony needs to lower the price of its PS VR2 to be able to breathe new life into it?
€599.99
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- A very comfortable helmet
- The OLED HDR screen
- The configuration wizard
Yes, the entry ticket for PlayStation VR2 is expensive. It will even cost you €50 more than a PS5. But, it’s still much cheaper than a high-end headset + PC combo to have a AAA VR experience on console. Especially since the technologies embedded in this PS VR2 are for the most part ahead of the PC models.
Now we will have to wait for developers to produce games or experiences capable of exploiting them to the fullest, but the foundations are very solid. With such a high price in a time when most of us are cautious about our spending, let’s hope Sony sells enough units to motivate studios to develop showcases like Horizon Call of the Mountain. What a shame that Half-Life: Alyx is not available (for the moment?) on this PS VR2. But Gran Turismo 7 and Resident Evil Village should quickly satisfy fans of total immersion.
However, the PlayStation VR2 nonetheless remains the most accessible premium VR experience.
Yes, the entry ticket for PlayStation VR2 is expensive. It will even cost you €50 more than a PS5. But, it’s still much cheaper than a high-end headset + PC combo to have a AAA VR experience on console. Especially since the technologies embedded in this PS VR2 are for the most part ahead of the PC models.
Now we will have to wait for developers to produce games or experiences capable of exploiting them to the fullest, but the foundations are very solid. With such a high price in a time when most of us are cautious about our spending, let’s hope Sony sells enough units to motivate studios to develop showcases like Horizon Call of the Mountain. What a shame that Half-Life: Alyx is not available (for the moment?) on this PS VR2. But Gran Turismo 7 and Resident Evil Village should quickly satisfy fans of total immersion.
However, the PlayStation VR2 nonetheless remains the most accessible premium VR experience.
Source : The Verge
PlayStation VR2
VR headset
release date: 02/22/2023
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