PlayStation VR 2: PSVR 2 specs, features and everything you need to know about- launching worldwide on February 22, 2023
The PSVR 2 is Sony’s second shot at in-house VR tech, coming to the PS5 very soon. Announced a year ago, details about the PS5 have been revealed regarding its specs and line-up. So while we know that PSVR 2 will build on the foundation laid by PSVR, many questions remain unanswered.
The PSVR 2 looks like a serious upgrade over the original PSVR when it launches in February 2023. However, given the impressively high-end nature of the PS5 and its DualSense controller, the PSVR 2 will build on what the PS5 is already capable of. capable of doing. Be one of the best VR headsets.
The original PSVR headset was launched in 2016 for the PS4. At the time, it was a lucrative effort for Sony and the first significant attempt at a dedicated console VR headset. The PSVR 2 has some big shoes to fill, but specs like a more ergonomic design and a much higher panel resolution bode well for a follow-up device.
We’ve rounded up everything you need to know about the PSVR 2 ahead of release and aim to show what’s so impressive about this build compared to its predecessor. Since the headset is coming exclusively for the PS5, you may want to consider our PS5 vs Digital Edition PS5 guide if you want to prepare your setup.
PSVR 2: Cut to the chase
What is it? The next generation of PlayStation VR
When is it out? February 22, 2023
How much will it cost? $549.99 / €599.99 / £529.99 / AU$858
PSVR 2: Hardware
The PSVR 2 headset promises to be a huge leap forward over the original PlayStation VR. PSVR 2 will not only take advantage of the PS5’s more powerful hardware, but it also has a significantly higher resolution display for each eye. The faster refresh rate, wider field of view, and better tracking and input are also confirmed.
PSVR 2 specifications Rumors have previously indicated that the headset will include an OLED display that boasts a total resolution of 4000 X 2040 pixels – that’s 2000 X 2040 per eye and slightly higher than the Oculus Quest 2. view and foveated rendering (a technique that uses gaze tracking to render only parts of the image), and sensory features in the headset itself.
Sony has since confirmed that the PSVR 2 offers 4K resolution, HDR, 110-degree field of view, foveated rendering, and a frame rate of 90 to 120Hz. The PSVR 2 also includes inside-out tracking, which means it will track you and your controller through integrated cameras embedded in the headset. Without the need for an external camera, your moves and the direction you’re looking will be reflected in the game.
PSVR 2’s new sensory features combine eye tracking, headset feedback, 3D audio, and the PSVR 2 Sense controller to create a sense of depth immersion. A single built-in motor in the headset would add a tactile element, which could replicate a player’s pulse during tense moments, or the multitude of objects passing over a player’s head.
Eye tracking will be especially enjoyable for VR enthusiasts, which lets the PSVR 2 track your eye movements. Simply look in a specific direction and the headset will create additional input for your game character. This results in a smoother and more natural feel. The PSVR 2 also isn’t wireless but only requires a cable between the headset and the console to use.
PSVR 2: release date
After previously announcing an “early 2023” release window, we now know exactly when the PSVR 2 is coming. According to a recent PlayStation Blog post, it’s launching worldwide on February 22, 2023.
If you’re interested in pre-ordering it, anyone living in the U.S., U.K., France, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg can do so through the PlayStation Direct Store. Pre-orders went live worldwide on November 15, but only for those who pre-registered and received an email. For other regions, Sony advises PSVR 2 information “will be provided through participating local retailers.”
PSVR 2: price
After much speculation, Sony has finally confirmed the price of the PSVR 2. According to the PlayStation Blog, it will cost $549.99 / €599.99 / £529.99 for the standard bundle that comes with the PS VR2 Sense controller and stereo headphones. A separate PSVR 2 bundle with Horizon Call of the Mountain (digital code) is also available for $599.99 / €649.99 / £569.99. No official Australian prices were announced.
For context, that’s more than the PS5 console, even after Sony’s recent price hike. Right now, the PS5 currently retails at $499.99 / £479.99 / AU$799.95 or $399.99 / £389.99 / AU$649.95 for the PS5 Digital Edition.
It doesn’t compare favorably with its biggest VR competitor, Meta’s Oculus Quest 2, which currently sells for $399.99 / £399.99 / AU$630. However, that price tag makes a lot of sense when you consider the premium technology Sony uses. For comparison, the only “premium” VR headset currently on the market is the HTC Vive Pro, which sells for $800, £800, or AU$1,045.
It’s also more expensive than the original PSVR at launch, which originally retailed at $499 (£399, around AU$ 650). These days, you can find one retailing for $200 / £259 / AU$420, but it’s worth remembering that the PSVR Starter Bundle has gone through several price cuts and is over six years old.
PSVR 2: controllers
The upcoming PSVR 2 controllers will get a significant performance and design upgrade. Now we also know that Sony’s next-gen VR peripheral is called the PlayStation VR2 Sense Controller. These new controllers ditch the classic PS Move controller design from the original PSVR. Instead, these favor a more specialized approach seen in modern VR controllers, such as the Oculus Quest 2’s Touch controller. The PSVR 2 controllers will have baton-like handles with plastic ornaments around them. They also have the same adaptive trigger features found in the DualSense wireless controller. This would allow for different stresses on any in-game action.
They’ll also feature haptic feedback and finger touch detection, allowing the game to know where your digits are resting without pressing buttons. Speaking on the PlayStation Blog, Hideaki Nishino, head of platform planning and management at PlayStation, said that these features mean you’ll be able to make “more natural gestures with your hands during gameplay”.
While it’s unclear how much the PSVR 2 Sense controllers will cost, Sony has announced an official charging station accessory to go with it. Available from launch, it will cost $49.99 / €49.99 / £39.99 and, as is the case with the headset itself, there’s no confirmed Australian price yet.
PSVR 2: specs
Sony revealed the full specifications of the PSVR 2 at CES 2022. Here are the details of Sony’s PSVR 2 specifications:
Sony has added a vent to the PSVR 2 to make playing in a headset a more comfortable experience.
“One of the areas I wanted to focus on first was the idea of building a vent into the headset, similar to the vents on the PS5 console, that would allow airflow,” senior art director Yujin Morisawa wrote in a blog post. “Our engineers thought of this as a great way to allow for ventilation and avoid lens fog while players are immersed in a VR game.”
The PSVR 2 is also a bit lighter, thanks to the thinner design. Both of those features should make it more comfortable to play for long periods in VR.
PSVR 2: games
We’re still a long way from the release of this headset, so it’s not entirely surprising that currently, we’ve only confirmed a handful of PSVR 2 games. When Sony officially revealed the PlayStation VR2’s name in January, we got a brief look at Horizon Call of the Mountain from Guerrilla and Firesprite, but no other games.
Since then, we’ve got a better look at what to expect. Sony has confirmed that the PSVR 2 will feature over 20 games at launch, offering a mix of first-party and third-party games. From sequels like Firewall Ultra to adaptations like Among Us VR, we have some confirmation. Meanwhile, the June 2022 State of Play conference revealed several new titles, including some big hitters from third-party developers.
You can find the full list of what’s been confirmed below:
After The Fall
Alvo
Among Us VR
Blacktop Hoops
Cities VR – Enhanced Edition
Cosmonious High
Crossfire: Sierra Squad
Demo
Do Not Open Will Spook
Firewall Ultra
firmament
Ghostbusters: Rise of the Ghost Lord
Hello Neighbor: Search and Rescue
Hubris
Horizon Call of the Mountain
Jurassic World
low-fi
mixture
No Man’s Sky
Pistol Whip VR
Requisition VR
Resident Evil 4 Remake
Resident Evil Village
runners
Samurai Slaughter House
Sim Kayak VR: Mirage
Star Wars: Tales from the Galaxy’s Edge – Enhanced Edition
Tentacles
The Dark Pictures: Switchback VR
The Light Brigade
The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners – Chapter 2: Retribution
Zenith: The Last City
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PSVR 2: news and rumours
backward compatible?
Unfortunately, the PSVR 2 won’t be backward compatible with first-generation PSVR titles, as Sony’s Hideaki Nishino confirmed in an episode of the Official PlayStation Podcast. While you can still download these games to your PS5, you’ll only be able to play them with the original PSVR headset. It’s a shame for those who were looking to trade in their PSVR for the new device, and we hope a backward compatibility patch comes further down the line.
PSVR 2 games are now available for pre-order
Along with headset pre-orders, PSVR 2 games have also started appearing in the ‘Coming Soon’ section of the PlayStation Store. Interestingly, none of these games is selling for the £70 / $70 price tag we’ve seen for major releases over the past few years. The most expensive is, surprisingly, Horizon Call of the Mountain at £60/$60, with the rest coming in at much lower prices.
Sony reportedly producing two million PSVR 2 headsets for launch
A new report from Bloomberg suggests that Sony plans to manufacture two million PSVR 2 headsets by March 2023. Mass production began last month and does not face supply chain constraints like the PS5, cited “people familiar with the matter”. Asked for comment, Bloomberg confirmed that Sony declined to respond.
State of Play reveals four new PSVR 2 games
Sony’s State of Play conference took place for VR fans, showcasing four new PSVR 2 games. Along with our first look at Horizon Call of the Mountain gameplay, the following are confirmed games: Resident Evil 4 Remake, Resident Evil Village, No Man’s Sky, and The Walking Dead: Saints and Sinners – Chapter 2: Retribution. We hope you like zombies.
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Epic reveals Unreal Engine 5 projects for PSVR 2
During its ‘The State of Unreal’ 2022 event, Epic Games revealed that several games for Sony’s upcoming headset are using the Unreal Engine 5. studios supporting this new engine.
Is Sony making inroads into social VR?
A trademark application, submitted in July 2021, suggests Sony may be considering bringing back its PlayStation Home service – an ill-fated social hangout space that was on the PlayStation 3.
Part chatroom, part Sims-like design app, PlayStation Home was discontinued in 2015. Sony enters the future of social gaming and virtual reality.
PSVR 2 could be a step back from VR-only titles
According to a report by the YouTube channel PSVR Without Parole, PSVR 2 games may be moving away from VR-exclusive experiences. Instead, Sony may be focusing on “hybrid” titles that can be played with or without the PSVR 2 headset.
The report suggests that there could be two versions of the PSVR 2 compatible titles: a more traditional TV-based experience as well as a version that works in VR. This would mean that players would not need to download two versions of the game, and could essentially choose which version suits them best.
Motion Sickness Reduction Patent
A patent filed in 2019 and published on WIPO in 2020 indicates Sony’s efforts to create what could be the PSVR 2. And a program with which it is possible to further reduce VR sickness.
Finding so much motion sickness in VR is caused by “the difference between the speed of approach and the position of the user, where a moving image shows presence from the scene, displayed on the display”, the patent presents a possible solution that Vibration or movement appears to be involved.
The patent reads “An HMD (12) is provided with a display unit (38) disposed of in front of the user’s eyes when the user wears the HMD (12). The moving unit (42) of the HMD (12) Can move. Wearer’s head.
An entertainment device (14) causes the display unit (38) to display a moving image representing a scene as seen from a viewpoint. The entertainment device (14) controls the shaking of the shaking unit (42) according to the acceleration state of the viewpoint for the moving image displayed by the display unit (38).
The overall objective, it appears, is to better integrate what the player is feeling with what they’re seeing in the PSVR headset. Patents are never a guarantee of a final product, but this could be an insight into problems Sony is looking to address in future iterations of the PSVR headset.
Good news for glasses wearers?
According to a published patent (spotted by UploadVR), Sony is working on “an HMD with prescription glasses for tracking and electro-optical signaling”.
These prescription glasses, developed by Sony, will be custom-designed for the wearer and gaze will be detected by the VR headset via an encoder sensor. In other words, glasses wearers can use VR more easily. We don’t expect these glasses to come cheap, but the implementation of the Eye Gaze software means we could see it coming to the PSVR 2.
We’ve listed the best PlayStation VR games out today
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