Sony starts year with a bang with PSVR2
It is a Happy New Year indeed for PlayStation 5 users. The gaming console is about to get a major upgrade on its virtual reality (VR) accessories anew – the PSVR2.
To kick off 2022, Sony delighted fans all over the world with the announcement of its much-anticipated next-generation VR system for the PS5 on its way to the market. The gaming mogul released some basic information and specs of PSVR2 during this year’s edition of the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) last week.
Not much was revealed about PSVR2 besides the basic system it offers, but Sony showcased the major upgrades it got compared to its previous model, the PlayStation VR, which was released in 2016. (Read: PSVR2 for PlayStation 5 detail supposedly leaked from Sony developer conference)
For starters, PSVR2 was confirmed by the company to have a 4K high-dynamic range (HDR) and a 110-degree field of view “for high-fidelity visual experience.” That’s 10 inches larger than the first model.
According to a blog post released shortly after the live announcement, PSVR2 will also feature eye-tracking, headset feedback, and 3D audio “to create an incredibly deep feeling of immersion.”
For the eye-tracking feature, PSVR2 detects the motion of a player’s eyes. It gives players a deep feel for the character portrayed through the sense of sight.
“A simple look in a specific direction can create an additional input for the game character,” the blog said. “This allows players to interact more intuitively in new and lifelike ways, allowing for a heightened emotional response and enhanced expression that provide a new level of realism in gaming.”
Going along such technological advancement is the headset feedback of PSVR2. The new sensory feature “amplifies the sensations of in-game actions from the player,” adding a deeper sense of immersion.
“It’s created by a single built-in motor with vibrations that add an intelligent tactile element, bringing players closer to the gameplay experience,” it stated. ”For example, gamers can feel a character’s elevated pulse during tense moments, the rush of objects passing close to the character’s head, or the thrust of a vehicle as the character speeds forward.”
Additionally, PSVR2’s 3D audio aims to make sounds in the player’s surroundings come alive, allowing a close-to-reality gaming experience. However, some features from the first model will still be displayed, such as the OLED display and a smooth frame rate of 90-120 Hz.
Sony also announced that a new set of controllers will go with PSVR2 and will be called the VR2 Sense controller. The new handheld accessory, which was teased by the company in March last year, has also improved, especially with its gyro sphere design.
The release date and prices for PSVR2 are yet to be released, but Sony also announced that the new device will be available to play first in Horizon Call of the Mountain, a new title from game developers Firesprite and Guerilla Games specifically made for the PSVR2.
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