Sony has revealed the specs for its upcoming PS VR2 headset but there’s still no sign of the device itself.
We first got a look at the controllers earlier this year but now we’re getting down to the nitty gritty.
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PS VR2 release date
Sony confirmed it was working on the PS VR2 in February last year and made it clear the device wouldn’t see a 2021 launch.
The launch date wasn’t shared in the new blog post or during the company’s CES 2022 showcase.
A Bloomberg report from last year cited sources claiming we’ll see the device make its debut in the holiday period this year.
Both the PS5 and Xbox Series X released in November, so it’s likely the PS VR2 will materialise in the same window.
Hardware analyst Brad Lynch has also bolstered this rumoured date with news that the PS VR 2 is entering mass production “soon”.
So if this is accurate, and we don’t see any delays, we can look forward to adding the PS VR 2 to our Christmas lists in 11 month.
PS VR2 price
Sony hasn’t announced a price for the PS VR2 just yet but we can speculate based on the previous iteration of hardware.
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The PS VR launched in 2016 for £349 / $399 but you can find bundles priced at $349.99 in the US, and for £259.99 in the UK.
It’s likely that the new PS VR2 headset will sport a similar price tag of around £349 / $399.
That’s not cheap by any means, and even though there are a number of hardware upgrades, Sony is going to struggle to make customers want to fork out any more than that.
On top of that, there’s the price of the PS5 console itself which you need to play PS VR 2.
And then there’s the standalone Oculus Quest 2 which doesn’t need any additional hardware and starts at a much more wallet-friendly £299 / $299.
So Sony is going to need to keep the price within the realms of the reasonable.
Given the competition’s price tag, and factoring in the cost of its own console into customer’s set-ups, matching the original price of the PS VR seems to be the best option.
PS VR2 specs and features
Now onto the juicy stuff — the PS VR2’s specs! Sony unveiled the hardware details at CES 2022, but we’ve yet to see the headset itself.
In a nutshell, the PS VR2 is going to look, feel, and perform better than the PS VR.
The 4K OLED panels offer a resolution of 2000×2040 per eye and framerates of 90/120Hz.
There’s a 110-degree field-of-view, and thanks to the eye-tracking, simply looking in a direction will act as an extra input for the device, as well as adding to the immersion.
There’s headset-based controller tracking too, thanks to the integrated PS VR2 cameras.
The headset can track both you and the PS VR2 Sense controllers and translate your movements movements and the direction you’re looking into the game, without the need for external cameras.
Another way Sony is improving the VR experience is with the PS5’s Tempest 3D Audio, which is combined with the eye tracking, headset feedback, and PS VR2 Sense controller for “an incredibly deep feeling of immersion.”
A motor built-in to the headset vibrates to provide “an intelligent tactile element” in a similar way to the DualSense.
As an example, Sony says that you’ll be able to “feel a character’s elevated pulse during tense moments”, or in-game objects rushing past your head.
Even the thrust of a vehicle as you accelerate will feel more real thanks to the headset feedback.
The PS VR2 will come with a single cable so you can just plug-and-play, with no complicated set-up process.
You can check out the full PS VR2 specs list below:
- Display method: OLED
- Panel resolution: 2000 x 2040 per eye
- Panel refresh rate: 90Hz, 120Hz
- Lens separation: Adjustable
- Field of View: Approx. 110 degrees
- Sensors:
- Motion Sensor: Six-axis motion sensing system (three-axis gyroscope, three-axis accelerometer)
- Attachment Sensor: IR Proximity sensor
- Cameras: 4 cameras for headset and controller trackingIR camera for eye tracking per eye
- Feedback: Vibration on headset
- Communication with PS5: USB Type-C
- Audio Input: Built-in microphoneOutput: Stereo headphone jack
PS VR 2 Sense controllers
The PS VR2 Sense controllers were fully revealed last year and sport a unique ‘orb’ shape.
Ergonomically designed, and well-balanced, Sony says it’ll comfortably accommodate a range of hand sizes.
Featuring adaptive triggers, which are also found on the PS5’s DualSense controller, and haptic feedback, the PS VR2 Sense is kitted out to take immersion to the next level.
Finger touch detection can register your fingers without the need to press the areas where your fingers and thumb are resting, allowing for more natural gestures.
The controllers are tracked by the headset and both sport analog sticks, a ‘grip’ button (L1 R1/) and triggers (L2/ R2).
The triangle and square buttons sit on the left controller while the cross and circle are on the right.
The full controller specs are below:
- Buttons:
- Right: PS button, Options button, Action buttons (Circle / Cross), R1 button, R2 button, Right Stick / R3 button
- Left: PS button, Create button, Action buttons (Triangle / Square), L1 button, L2 button, Left Stick / L3 button
- Sensing/ Tracking:
- Motion Sensor: Six-axis motion sensing system (three-axis gyroscope + three-axis accelerometer)
- Capacitive Sensor: Finger Touch DetectionIR LED: Position Tracking
- Feedback: Trigger Effect (on R2/L2 button), Haptic Feedback (by single actuator per unit)
- Port: USB Type-C Port
- Communication: Bluetooth Ver5.1
- Battery: Type: Built-in Lithium-ion Rechargeable Battery
PS VR2 games
The current library of PS VR titles will almost certainly be playable on PS VR2.
But a couple of PS VR2 exclusives have already been revealed, with the biggest one being unveiled at CES 2022.
Horizon Call of the Mountain is being built from the ground up specifically for PS VR2.
Horizon Forbidden West is already in the works at Guerilla Games, but the upcoming VR adventure is set to immerse you in Aloy’s world more than ever before.
You can check out the teaser trailer below for a brief taste of what’s in store.
Pavlov Shack — a tactical shooter in the vein of CS:GO — has also been confirmed for PS VR2.
Developer Vankrupt Games confirmed this on Twitter last year, saying the PS VR “doesn’t have the fidelity for Pavlov.”
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Horizon Call of the Mountain – Teaser Trailer
If you want to check out the PS VR2 alternative, you can read out Oculus Quest 2 review.
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This post first appeared on Thesun.co.uk
