Sony Provides An Early Look At User Experience For PlayStation VR2 Including New Broadcasting Option
While the launch date for PlayStation VR2 is currently unknown, Sony provided the community with another look behind the development curtain on July 26th, 2022 – this time focusing on the overall user experience. Yasuo Takahashi, Sr. Staff Product Manager/SIE confirmed that things were in full swing and that more information would be coming in the near future including providing eager players with a concrete release date for when they will be able to get their hands on it and outline which titles will be available alongside the virtual reality platform. The first iteration of PlayStation VR hardware launched on October 13th, 2016 in North American markets and retails for $449 CAD which includes the popular Marvel’s Iron Man VR experience, a PlayStation Camera, PlayStation Move controllers, and more.
Sony has made playing virtual reality even safer by including a See-Through View feature which allows the player to actively see where their controllers are without requiring them to take off the headset and remove them from the immersive experience. Takahashi explains that this safety feature is achievable through the embedded front cameras on the unit – four in total – and that players can only view their immediate surroundings whilst in this mode; no option to record that footage. Gameplay and reactions can be captured and shared with friends using the newly implemented broadcast feature which works in conjunction with the PlayStation Camera on PlayStation 5 consoles; every jump, stumble, and victory can be edited and instantly shared courtesy of the dedicated Share Factory application.
Players can scan and customize their own spaces into something that works for them – meaning every room can be transformed into a virtual escape regardless of size. Areas can be adjusted and modified with relative ease and a warning indicator will display should players get too close to the boundaries or leave the designated play area. The preconceptions that virtual reality gaming can only be enjoyed with large living spaces has been inherently thrown out the window and the technological capabilities of the PlayStation VR2 allows for images to be displayed at 4000 x 2040 HDR with a 360° view at a frame rate of 90Hz/120Hz in VR mode. Content outside of standard gameplay including system menus and other assorted media will operate at 1920×1080 HDR with a maximum display of 120Hz frame rate.
Sony officially announced that PlayStation VR2 would be the spiritual successor – and name – of the virtual reality hardware back in January 2022 and affirmed that it would be taking VR gaming to a whole new level. It was also confirmed that players would be following an entirely different character rather than Aloy from Horizon Zero Dawn and Horizon Forbidden West respectively. SophistiGamer will provide an update to this project once more details become available in the coming months ahead.
PlayStation VR is available now exclusively for PlayStation 4 Pro and PlayStation 4 with compatibility on PlayStation 5 consoles using a PlayStation Camera adapter accessory; sold separately.
