Sony took the opportunity to lay out more details for its virtual reality headset at the Game Developers Conference earlier today. While the fall release date is later than originally planned, prospective buyers will be happy to see that PS VR undercuts rivals from both Oculus and HTC… though not by as much as you’d think (more on that in a bit). Pricing for the following territories was announced:
- United States: $399
- Canada: $549
- United Kingdom: £349
- Europe: €399
- Japan:¥44,980
Of note, the headset requires the PlayStation Camera to function, which is not included in the package. Even factoring that into the equation though – or the $60 or so for two PS Move controllers if you’re not content with just the DualShock 4 – PS VR still comes out as the bargain against the Rift ($600) or Vive ($800). Even more so considering it has its own external processing unit.
Technical specs are equally impressive. The headset features a 5.7″, 1080p OLED screen with a 120hz refresh rate. Each eye will see 960 x 1080 images, combining for a field of view of roughly 100 degrees. The VR headset also has complete 360-degree tracking thanks to nine separate LED’s.
During the presentation, Sony Group CEO and President Andrew House said that “the opportunity for developers is monumental,” noting that over 230 developers are already working with the accessory. One developer on-hand for demonstration was Evolution Studios with a VR-capable version of Driveclub. We know it’s not the only racing game planned for PS VR support…
Early adopters need not fear a dearth of games come October: House promised more than 50 games between PlayStation VR’s launch and the final day of 2016. Additionally, Playroom VR, a set of six mini-games highlighting the abilities of the accessory, will be free for all players.
What are your thoughts on VR? Exciting new avenue for immersion, or another short-on-substance addition, as some viewed 3D gaming or motion controls? Let us know down below!
See more articles on Accessories, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation VR.
VR is just a gimmick
Have you tried it?
$US399 is exactly where I predicted this would end up and I think it’s a good price point. If the tech is effective and consistent I think they will sell like hotcakes, easily achieving 10-15% penetration on console within a year…best guess.
I can’t tell how many USB ports it’s going to require, but it looks like there’s a fair bit of cabling going on to and from the external unit. Can anyone tell me if the T300 and TH8 shifter require seperate ports on PS4? or can the shifter plug into the wheel?
My TH8A only needs to be plugged into the T300. With Project Cars and this I may only surface for oxygen.
PS4 doesn’t support separate USB inputs for wheels and shifters/pedals as far as I know. It has to plug into the wheelbase for it to work, so you’ll only need 1 USB input for your steering peripherals.
The price might be more reasonable, but I wouldn’t buy one without more killer AAA titles. Buying one just for Driveclub is not enough.
Shut up and take my money!
If it works well with Assetto Corsa, I know what I am getting for myself or my birthday en of October, this is really good news. The price, if the performance is there is spot on compare to the competition, adding the transportability of the PS4 and you have the perfect SIM companion at home or on the road. Bring it on, it looks like I might be getting a PS4 after all, life is full of surprises
You are getting a console? Heathen!! Traitor!! :)
I am, most probably, going to buy a VR that happens to be attached to a console. :))
Did any part of you spontaneously ignite when you typed that?
Sold, When Can I pre-Order a Couple?
@Cssgareth… IGN’s “list” means very little. IF GT7 or GTS comes to PSVR it will be heavily scaled back in order to meet the minimum requirements for VR (even with the external box the PS4 will still have to render 960x1080x2@60fps for the box to output the game to the headset at 90fps or 120fps) and in that form i have serious doubts about how good the experience will be. The reason Oculus and VIVE require such meaty systems is becsuse they want the games to look good and be worthy of peoples money. PSVR is really the same tech as in the DK2 (and as cool as that WAS it wasn’t really ready for prime time) in the headset and i wish it well….. anyway remember this… you get what you pay for.
@WyldAnimal, sorry… it looks like i hit the reply button on your comment by mistake!
@imported_KingJK76 All I said was that it was on the list, I didn’t make a comment about quality or whether if you want to play games at the best resolution, a games console isn’t really adequate anyway :) Calm down dear! :)
960x1080x2@60fps sounds like a lot but it’s effectively just 1920x1080p split in half for each screen. The accompanying hardware does the rest, pumping it up to 120fps. If a game can achieve a fixed 60 fps at 1080p it’s ready for VR. The real question is, will PD make sacrifices across the game to achieve this, sacrifices that apply to non-VR users as well or will they make or include a specialized version that turns down some of the graphics options in order to achieve that magic 60fps number for VR users only. Only time will tell…
GT sport is confirmed as being compatible with Sony VR on IGN’s Wiki list :
http://uk.ign.com/wikis/playstation-4/List_of_PS4_Games_Compatible_With_PlayStation_VR
So far I have not seen GT Sport featured in any of the promotional videos for Sony VR, which is not a good sign for it being released soon. :(
I wasn’t expecting that price, I might consider it now!
damn custom taxes… in my country the tax to import electronics it’s like 33% aaaaand it sucks because I live in a “developing country” where the minimum salary it’s about $us 250. anyway if I have to expend that much money on a VR set I rather buy the Oculus rift
I’d rather have the Oculus but there’s no way I can afford that + the PC upgrades I would need. This I can probably afford. VR is going to be nuts in cockpit view with a wheel.
Awesome but out of my range.
Merely for Driveclub, worth the money
Count me in
Interested how many of you will get a Playstation VR for your PS4 with the price announcement?
Vote in thread below:
https://www.gtplanet.net/forum/threads/sony-playstation-vr-project-morpheus-virtual-reality-headset.320725/#post-11281708
Correct link: https://www.gtplanet.net/forum/threads/sony-playstation-vr-project-morpheus-virtual-reality-headset.320725/
Just received an email in Australia for pre-orders on these – $549 (AUD) Also due Oct 16
Time to start saving .. been waiting for this since 1992 after watching the lawnmower man ;-)
Already have the camera and move controllers so that’s a start, got approx 7 months now to save up for this. Definitely on my shopping list even though my wife says I’m not allowed. ;)
While the other VRs (“other” meaning basically Oculus Rift) costing $599, this is a nice surprise. I just hope that SONY doesn’t eat too much loss just getting this thing to market. It’s definitely going into my shopping basket at some point. GO SONY!! And Oculus Rift too. ;D
It’s really awesome that this exists. I can’t afford it, but still.
Whaaaat!?? Sweet! But that price… not in my range.