Update: Aug. 5, 2021 (3:50 a.m. ET): We’ve updated the PSVR 2 hub below with leaked details, specs, and features gathered from a private Sony developer conference.
Original article: The Sony PS5 was released during the 2020 holiday season, but it’s exciting to read the rumors about the potential of a PSVR 2 as well. Sony has seriously improved its game with its hardware choices in the PlayStation 5. So hopefully this also means that the PSVR 2 will receive a significant upgrade over the original headset. Here’s everything we know about the rumored PSVR 2 at this point.
What is the PSVR2?
Currently dubbed the “Next Generation VR System” by Sony, the PSVR 2 is a virtual reality headset believed to be the successor to the original 2016 PSVR. If you haven’t heard, Sony has its next-gen console, the PS5, on Holiday 2020. Of course, it’s still next to impossible to track down a copy of the console without a bit of luck. This new headset works with Sony’s PS5.
The specs for this next-gen console are the best we’ve ever seen on a PlayStation console, which should mean that VR performance will also be vastly improved. Sony confirmed that the PSVR 2 “improves everything from resolution and field of view to tracking and input” compared to the current PSVR for the PS4.
New PSVR controllers
In March 2021, Sony gave us a first look at the “Orb” controllers of the PSVR 2. These have improved ergonomics with more natural finger tracking technology, haptic feedback and DualSense-like adaptive triggers. This combination should result in more natural control over characters in games.
Analog sticks are also available on the new controllers, which the PSVR controllers lacked a lot. The original PSVR controllers did not have the ability to control virtual movements, which limited the possibilities of playing games on the platform. The new controller design of the PSVR 2 appears to solve these problems.
Also read: Is the PS5 backward compatible with PS2, PS3, and PS4 games?
What will the PSVR 2 possibly be able to do?
While it’s too early to be definitive, some rumors and patents about PSVR 2 suggest additional features. Here is a quick recap of what we’ve heard so far.
Improved graphics and smarter rendering
A specs dump from an internal developer conference in August revealed many details about the graphic capabilities of the PSVR 2. For starters, the headset should contain an OLED display with a resolution of 2,000 x 2,040 per eye. HDR support and a 110-degree field of view are also provided.
Rendering smarts are set to include flexible scaling resolution and foveated rendering, both of which have the task of redistributing computing power based on a user’s gaze direction and eye position. This will supposedly result in better overall performance.
Reduction in motion sickness
If you’ve ever used a PSVR or similar VR headset, you may have experienced motion sickness. Bridging the gap between the virtual experience and your physical world is a harrowing experience at times.
Sony filed a patent in 2019 to reduce motion sickness to improve the VR experience for gamers. 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 hope it is. Reducing motion sickness would allow players to have a more immersive and enjoyable experience that could last longer than traditional VR experiences.
A recent specification leak from a private developer conference suggests that the headset uses a “rotary motor” for haptic feedback. It is believed that this will further reduce motion sickness in the game.
Like VR? Stay up to date with the latest VR news on VRSource.com
Finger sensors
Another patent suggests that finger sensors could play a role in the new PSVR 2. This patent is different from the one mentioned above. Instead, it includes finger tracking sensors that would be able to determine which user is playing and the distance between the controllers.
If you can think of a Wii controller, it looks very similar, but has slightly different functions. Like the Wii controller, the controller has a seat belt for your wrist and is a vertical controller that fits easily in your hand. There is a release button on the top and finger sensors on the back. So when you grab the controller, your fingers naturally cover the sensors.
Wireless technology
The image below looks like the PSVR 2 could potentially be wireless and run on a built-in power supply with its own microphone and video / audio source. If Sony could do that, it would be revolutionary. No more annoying cables getting in your way when playing sounds like the ultimate VR dream. No need to connect headphones or VGA cables; everything would come packed into the VR headset.
However, in a February 23 statement, PlayStation Senior Vice President Hideaki Nishino confirmed that the PSVR 2 would be connected to the PS5 with a single cable for ease of setup. This should improve the usability and maintain the same high quality visual experience you expect, but it does seem to cast some doubts on a wireless option.
ESports streaming improvements
The eSports streaming patent is another nifty idea. The patent describes the potential for gamers to watch eSports from a distance and even be inserted as a VR viewer at a live event. Even if you can’t be physically present at an esports event, you can still feel that way.
Since many people can’t travel to see all of the esports events they want to attend in person, this is a great option. That way, you won’t miss any of the fun and feel like you’re there looking for your favorites.
See also: Everything you need to know about the Sony PlayStation 5 reveal event
Motion tracking improvements
Another patent suggests more cool features for the possible PSVR 2. This patent showed improvements in tracking eye and head movements. With the information in this patent, it seems like the VR headset has better control over what each eye sees specifically. Then if you tilt or move your head, those images will stay tracked.
Related: Best upcoming PS5 games – release dates, latest trailers, and more
How much will the PSVR 2 cost?
The widespread speculation about how much PSVR 2 could cost ranges from $ 499.99 to around $ 799.99. The original PSVR was priced at $ 499.99 but has fallen significantly in price since then. You can buy a PSVR starter pack for around $ 200 right now, but it took you a few years to get used to that price.
I could see the PSVR 2 came out at a higher price than the original PSVR. The hardware and technology it contains will be significantly better than its predecessor. This improved technology, coupled with the fantastic upgrades to PlayStation’s next-gen console – namely, the choice of a super-fast SSD – is likely to make the PSVR 2 run exceptionally well. This could well justify a higher price.
When will PSVR 2 be released?
The PSVR 2 has not yet been officially announced by Sony, so we probably won’t see it on store shelves for a while. Sony is likely focusing all its attention right now on releasing the PS5 in just a few months. Sony has made significant improvements to the hardware chosen for the PS5. I can only hope that so much effort has gone into taking the great thing about the PSVR and making the PSVR 2 experience better.
Unfortunately, we won’t see a PlayStation VR 2 anytime soon. In a recent interview with The Washington Post, PlayStation CEO Jim Ryan revealed that the updated PSVR hardware has been out for at least a couple of years. Still, he affirmed that Sony and PlayStation “believe in VR” so fans can count on continued support going forward. SVP Nishino reiterated this belief in its February 23 statement, saying that PSVR 2 “will not be launched in 2021”.
More recently, suggestions suggested Sony might reveal more about the PSVR 2 in early 2022.
Will the original PSVR work with the PS5?
Yes, Sony has confirmed that the PS5 will launch with backward compatibility for the original PSVR headset and Move controllers. That means you can now confidently buy a discounted PSVR set as it could be years before PSVR 2 is released, let alone a library of games that support it.
What games can you play with the PSVR 2?
There’s no word from Sony as to whether the PSVR will run 2 PSVR titles. Given the backward compatibility of the PS5, the thought right now is that hopefully you should be playing every PSVR game on the PSVR 2 and PS5.
Since PSVR 2 has not been officially announced, no confirmed games are planned for PSVR 2. Games rumored to be in the works for PSVR 2 may include a new Gran Turismo, Resident Evil 8, and maybe a new Gem from Rockstar. These are of course not yet confirmed by anyone, but these are the most likely contenders right now.
The August 2021 developer information leaked also suggests that Sony could promote a hybrid game model that encourages developers to include traditional game elements and VR elements in one title. Players would choose which version of the game to download and play. If Sony pushes this concept through, it could massively increase the popularity of VR games.
As soon as we learn more about PSVR 2, we will definitely update this article. Hopefully after Sony solidifies the PS5 offering, we’ll hear more about the PSVR 2.
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