Let’s be honest, virtual reality is still a niche in the gaming segment. Although there are a few enthusiasts, the barrier to entry is often far too high. The PlayStation VR wanted to make things easy for gamers from the very first iteration. With the second edition of the glasses, which will appear shortly, this path should be continued. However, pre-order numbers don’t reward this approach at all.
It’s not long now before you can pull the PlayStation VR 2 over your head. The latest version of Sony’s VR glasses will be released on February 22, 2023. It will be released exclusively for the PlayStation 5 and can be pre-ordered since November 15, 2022. However, customers don’t seem to be keen on the device. At least that’s what comes out of a report by Bloomberg, according to which Sony is absolutely not satisfied with the numbers.
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According to the article, the company expected 2 million pre-orders. However, these numbers were internally corrected down to 1 million VR systems sold. This is also linked to a reduction in the production volume. But that’s not particularly surprising, although the first hands-on reports are quite positive. But if you look at the key data, it should become clear why the PlayStation VR 2 will not be a hit.
On the one hand, the lavish price should carry weight. The recommended price is 599.99 dollars, which in itself is no small matter. To top it all off, a PlayStation 5 is also required for use, which costs at least 399 dollars. If you get one. In summary, the VR fun is a whopping 1000 dollars.
Apart from that, virtual reality is still quite a niche in the gaming sector. There are some die-hard fans, but they don’t generate millions in sales either. So the big breakthrough has yet to happen.
What you definitely can’t blame Sony for is the lack of support for the new platform. Over 30 launch titles are planned, including big brands like Horizon: Call of the Mountain. Games that have already been released, such as Gran Turismo 7, will also be equipped with VR support. However, the question naturally arises as to how well sales are going. Because third-party manufacturers in particular will quickly turn their backs on the new platform if not enough money comes in.