The last generationA look back at 2013-2020, the age of PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.Virtual reality is much easier to learn these days. Headsets are getting cheaper and some, like the Quest 2, don’t even need a powerful PC. But not so long ago VR was expensive, difficult to hook up, and a mess. And PSVR was an incomplete but exciting solution.
On paper, PSVR sounded too good to be true. It was launched in 2016 and cost only $ 400. That might sound like alot, but other headsets cost around $ 500-700 or more at the time and needed beefy, expensive PCs. This was not the case with PSVR. Anyone who already owned a PS4, even the old dusty one in your basement that you haven’t used anymore, could buy a VR headset and play virtual reality games in their living room.
In reality, not everything was great. The headset was already a bit behind in terms of technology when it was released and became even older and outdated within a few years. The camera and light tracking system used was cheap and easy to set up, but it was also prone to errors and not very accurate. And the motion controllers were fine, but nowhere near as advanced as other VR controllers, especially the ones that would follow in 2017, 2018, etc.
But, you know what? None of that mattered.
Because when I turned on the headset and plugged it in, I was shocked to find myself in a whole new digital world. I remember inviting people over and letting them play this Spider-Man: Homecoming VR demo or something weird but funny Job simulator game. We all had a great time. People wereWe were surprised how much fun they were having in VR even though they assumed it was going to be too much. Others were being sold for what they thought was a gimmick.
Over time, PSVR got less exciting and new, but it was still a solid way to experience VR games, including some exclusive PlayStation titles like the wonderful one Astro Bot rescue mission. (Seriously, it’s a fantastic game, and one of the best VR games ever made.) On Reddit and forums, I’ve watched gamers get fed up with the PSVR flaws or lack of software and turn to newer, more powerful headsets would change. Some even started making PC VR games that they wanted to play. I imagine a lot of people were tuned to VR and what it can do thanks to the cheap, accessible headset Sony released in 2016.
Today, in 2020, Sony is treating PSVR like something they once loved but no longer know what to do with it. Sure it will work on PS5, but it’s not easy to plug in. (Though the PSVR was never easy or easy to plug in, especially the early model and the first breakout box that all had extra cables.) Rumors have gotten around that Sony has plans for a PSVR2, something stronger and better tracking, and advanced controllers .
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Hopefully. Because PSVR VR took to the masses with over 5 million headsets sold last year. I’m sure this helped push VR gaming forward, and a potential PSVR2 could have a similar impact. And would probably work better too!
As of this writing, it has been a couple of weeks since I removed my PS4 from my office and with it the PSVR headset and gear. I still love my PSVR headset. But … I haven’t used my PSVR headset in a few months either. However, I have fond memories of loading new games and being impressed with my first few hours of real modern VR. I also remember annoying controllers and other issues, big and small, that were never fixed or improved. But I’m so lucky that millions of people learned about VR, and it helped drive virtual reality games forward. This created a whole new group of people who are hungry and ready for more VR games. Even if Sony can’t offer one in the near future, this is a good thing for VR gaming.
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