After formalizing its PlayStation VR2 headset in early January, Sony has just unveiled the design of the object this Tuesday, February 22. An expected announcement that reveals a number of details for this new experience in virtual reality.
However, Sony is keeping a few surprises for the next few months and should unveil the first compatible games. Still, the specifics of the helmet suggest a much more advanced model than the original PSR for the PS4, and released at the end of 2016.
The PSVR2 relies on visual comfort
The PSVR2 intends to erase one of the first complaints addressed to the original PSVR, whose visual comfort did not allow you to spend hours immersed in 360° virtual worlds.
The PlayStation VR2 “is 4K and HDR compatible, offers a 110-degree field of view and features foveal rendering, ensuring a high-fidelity viewing experience. Thanks to its OLED screen, gamers will be able to enjoy a display resolution of 2,000 x 2,040 per eye and a refresh rate of 90/120 Hz,” Sony explains in its official blog.
In addition, cameras fixed on the helmet make it possible to follow the movement of the hands and the joysticks in real time, which will make it possible to erase the connections linked to the camera from the PlayStation Move used on PS4 to track the movements of the player.
Important detail, the helmet will be better ventilated to prevent fogging. “When I started working on the design of the helmet, I immediately wanted to get down to creating a ventilation system that provides good air circulation, like the grilles of ventilation of the PS5 console. Our engineers came up with this idea to improve ventilation and prevent lens fogging, which will provide players with better immersion in their VR games,” said Yujin Morisawa, Senior Artistic Director at Sony interactive entertainment.
At the same time, an eye tracking system will allow interaction with game elements in certain situations. A technology that also allows the computing power to be focused on the elements watched by the player, in order to save the energy of the graphics processor on the elements which are not watched.
In this sense, the PSVR2 joins the standards developed for high-end virtual reality masks, such as the Valve Index headset or the HTC Vive Cosmos Elite.
The PlayStation VR2 will also integrate a vibration system into the headset. The idea is to feel certain sensations during the game, such as the acceleration of a character’s pulse or even “a feeling of friction when an object passes next to your character’s head”, explains Sony.
Finally, 3D audio will also be offered to enhance immersion.
Haptic controllers
The two haptic controllers of the PSVR2 are also inspired by what we can see in the competition. A haptic trigger on each corresponding to the L2 and R2 buttons will offer a slight force feedback, as is the case with the Dual Sense controllers of the PS5.
Movement sensors based on the six-axis detection system (three-axis gyroscope, three-axis accelerometer), as well as a capacitive sensor that detects finger contact using an infrared LED, will improve the tracking of position of the hands and fingers, in order, for example, to grasp virtual objects or to catch them. The controllers can be recharged using two integrated batteries that can be connected via a USB-C port.
Say goodbye to cables, one is enough
Above all, Sony promises to keep a promise that will undoubtedly please the players who pointed out the tedious connection of the first PSVR, where six cables had to be connected before being able to play, not to mention the motion detection system remote in front of the television. . A discouraging installation which should therefore be resolved, since Sony claims that a single cable will suffice, allowing the headset to be connected to the console. Phew!
A release date and a price to be specified
For the time being, no release date has been announced by Sony regarding the availability of the PlayStation VR2, nor the price. However, the specialized press is suggesting a release for the end of 2022, or even 2023, as well as a complete presentation in the coming months, which should also reveal its selling price.
What games for support?
If Sony still keeps the announcements related to the launch games secret, a first title comes to act as a showcase: Horizon Call of the Mountain. A title developed by the Guerilla studio, which is about to launch Horizon Forbidden West at the end of February on PS5. For this new episode, we will find the heroine of this saga, Alloy, who will have to face mechanical dinosaurs again. This is the only official game on this medium. But no release date has been specified.
We bet that other games could join the PSVR2, we think in particular of Ace Combat 8, whose development was formalized last August by Bandai Namco. The 7th part having shone in particular on PSVR in January 2019.