With the upcoming PS5 release in Holiday 2020, it’s exciting to read the rumors about the PSVR 2 as well. Sony seems to be stepping up their game with their hardware decisions in the PS5. So hopefully this also means the PSVR 2 will be equally upgraded from the original PSVR. Here’s everything we know so far about the rumored PSVR 2.
What is the PSVR 2?
The PSVR 2 is a virtual reality headset that is rumored to be the next-generation follow-up to the original PSVR that released in 2016. If you haven’t heard already, Sony is planning to release their next-gen console, the PS5, sometime in Holiday 2020. The specs for this next-gen console are the best we’ve ever seen in a PlayStation console. And hopefully this means that the PSVR 2 will be capable of doing so much more than the PSVR could with the PS4, like improved resolution, pixel quality, and refresh rates.
Also read: Is the PS5 backwards compatible with PS2, PS3, and PS4 games?
What will the PSVR 2 possibly be able to do?
Reduction in motion sickness
If you’ve ever used a PSVR or another similar VR headset, you might have experienced motion sickness. It’s a jarring experience sometimes to bridge the gap between the virtual experience and your physical world.
Sony filed for a Motion Sickness Reduction patent in 2019 that will hopefully improve the VR experience for players. The main goal of this patent seems to be to more seamlessly connect what the player sees in the game and feels in real life. While patents are never an official guarantee that a feature will be added, I’m hoping this one will be. Reducing motion sickness would allow players to have a more immersive and enjoyable experience that could last longer than traditional VR experiences.
Finger sensors
Another patent suggests that finger sensors might play a role in the new PSVR 2. The patent outlines finger-tracking sensors that would be able to determine which user is playing as well as the distance between controllers.
If you can picture a Wii controller, it looks very similar, but has slightly different features. The controller, like the Wii controller, will have a safety strap for your wrist and be a vertical controller that easily fits in your hand. There will be a trigger button on the top and finger sensors on the back. So when you grip the controller, your fingers will naturally cover the sensors.
Wireless technology
In the picture below, it looks like the PSVR 2 could potentially be wireless, instead running off of a built-in power supply with its own microphone and video/audio source. If Sony can pull this off, this would be revolutionary. No more annoying wires to get in your way when you’re playing sounds like the ultimate VR dream. You wouldn’t have to plug in headphones or VGA cables; everything would come packed into the VR headset.
eSports streaming improvements
The eSports Streaming patent is another nifty looking idea. The patent describes the potential for players to view eSports remotely and even be inserted as a VR spectator at a live event. So even if you can’t physically be present at an eSports event, you can still feel like you are.
Because a lot of people can’t travel to see all the eSports events they might want to in person, this will be a great option. This way, you won’t miss out on any of the fun and you’ll feel like you’re actually there, rooting for your favorites.
See also:Â Everything you need to know about the Sony PlayStation 5 reveal event
Improvements in movement tracking & Move controllers
Yet another patent suggests more cool features for the possible PSVR 2. This patent showed improvements in tracking eye movement and head motion. With the information from this patent, it seems as though the VR headset would be more able to control what each eye specifically sees. Then, if you tilt or move your head, those images will stay tracked.
Plus, the PSVR 2 is rumored to be making use of a new kind of motion controller. Think Valve’s Index controllers, but better. With the finger tracking support that the rumored controllers might have, hopefully the response to motion would be quick and accurate.
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How much will the PSVR 2 cost?
The broad speculation of how much the PSVR 2 might cost ranges from $499.99 to about $799.99. The original PSVR launched at $499.99, but has since dropped significantly in price. Now, you can purchase a PSVR starter bundle for about $200, but it took a few years for it to drop to that price.
I could definitely see the PSVR 2 launching at a higher price than the original PSVR launched at. The hardware and technology that goes into it will be significantly better than its predecessor. This improved technology paired with the fantastic upgrades to PlayStation’s next-gen console – namely, their choice of a super fast SSD – will likely make the PSVR 2 run extremely well. This could very well warrant a higher price tag.
When will the PSVR 2 be released?
The PSVR 2 hasn’t officially been announced by Sony yet, so we probably won’t see it hit the shelves for a while. Sony is likely putting all of their attention right now toward the PS5’s release in just a few months. Sony made huge improvements in the hardware they chose for the PS5; I can only hope they put this much effort into taking what was great about the PSVR and making it greater with the PSVR 2.
It would be highly unlikely to see the PSVR 2 released this year. The rough release date that’s circulating right now is in 2021, about a year after the PS5 release. The original PSVR launched three years after the PS4 launch. So if we’re basing the PSVR 2 launch off this, it might not release until 2023.
What games can you play with the PSVR 2?
We know that the PS5 will be backwards compatible with the original PSVR headset. And while Sony did say that the “overwhelming majority of the 4,000+ PS4 titles will be playable on PS5,� they didn’t specify any specific games. The thought right now is that you should hopefully be able to play any PSVR game with the PSVR 2 and the PS5.
Because the PSVR 2 has not been officially announced, there are no confirmed games slated for release on the PSVR 2. The games that are rumored to possibly be in the works for PSVR 2 include a new Gran Turismo, Resident Evil 8, and possibly a new gem from Rockstar. Of course, these are not confirmed by anyone as of yet, but these are the most likely contenders right now.
As we find out more about the PSVR 2, we’ll be sure to update this article. Hopefully after Sony is able to stop focusing so much energy on the PS5 release, we’ll start to hear more about the PSVR 2.
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