VR technology and VR gaming has only been improving in the last few years, however, it looks like we're about to make the jump to the next generation with PlayStation's announcement of PS VR2. We knew it was coming - and a lot of us expected it to have this name, too - but it's good to finally see something official from PlayStation and Sony.
Here's everything we know about PS VR2 and the new technology we can look forward to experiencing.
PlayStation announce PS VR2, kicking off 2022
You know it's going to be a great year for PlayStation when they announce an entirely new VR system one week into the New Year, right?
PS VR2 looks to build on everything that PSVR did and improve it - Hideaki Nishino, Senior Vice President of Platform Experience for PlayStation, has shared the following bullet points in a statement on the announcement of PS VR2...
Visual Fidelity: For a high-fidelity visual experience, PS VR2 offers 4K HDR, 110-degree field of view, and foveated rendering. With an OLED display, players can expect a display resolution of 2000×2040 per eye and smooth frame rates of 90/120Hz.
Headset-based Controller Tracking: With inside-out tracking, PS VR2 tracks you and your controller through integrated cameras embedded in the VR headset. Your movements and the direction you look at are reflected in-game without the need for an external camera.
New Sensory Features: PS VR2 Sense Technology combines eye tracking, headset feedback, 3D Audio, and the innovative PS VR2 Sense controller to create an incredibly deep feeling of immersion. Headset feedback is a new sensory feature that amplifies the sensations of in-game actions from the player. It’s created by a single built-in motor with vibrations that add an intelligent tactile element, bringing players closer to the gameplay experience. 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, PS5’s Tempest 3D AudioTech makes sounds in the player’s surroundings come alive, adding to this new level of immersion.
Eye Tracking: With eye tracking, PS VR2 detects the motion of your eyes, so a simple look in a specific direction can create an additional input for the game character. 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.
The PS VR2 headset is going to be more advanced than the PSVR in almost every way and it should usher in a new age of immersive gaming through the power of the PS5. It's also going to be connected to the console by a "simplified single-cord set-up" - which is a major improvement on the PSVR headset.
We don't have a release date yet, but we're expecting a vague "Holiday 2022" release window for the time being. We'll update you with more information when it is made available.