Japanese tech giant Sony finally unveils the design of its next-generation PlayStation VR2 headset. For a year now, users have continued to receive updates of the next generation VR2 headset in bits, starting with its announcement in February 2021, the controllers were shown-off in March of the same year and then finally a confirmation it would be called PlayStation VR2 at the CES 2022 which took place in January.
The new design of the VR2 headset features characteristic white-and-black colours that match with the PlayStation 5. According to Sony the VR2 and PlayStation 5 designs were created with each other in mind. Though the PS VR2 share common the same broad design as the PS VR, the new model features few enhancements that supersede the former. This includes a slight reduction in weight, lens adjustment dial, a new vent design. Similar to the PlayStation 5 and its DualSense controller, the PS VR2 features a textured PlayStation icon intentionally hidden in the front and back bands of the headset. The new PS VR2 headset allows connection to the PS5 with just a single USB-C cable and supports haptic feedback, eye tracking, 4K HDR, 90/120Hz frame rates and a field of view of 110 degrees.
The first PS VR dates as far back as 2016, while it’s compatible with the PS5, a special adapter is needed for compatibility purposes but the experience remained last-gen. It was the only available VR headset sold at $400 – $500 in 2016 that required not much additional gear but was capable of transforming existing PS4 game consoles into a modestly capable rig, it has gotten more affordable since then.
The PS VR was part of the very first wave of VR headsets consumers got introduced to, this was alongside the original Oculus Rift and HTC Vive. Both the Oculus Rift and HTC Vive have since witnessed numerous successors with huge improvements ranging from optical quality, the field of view, and general immersion. According to The Verge, the original PS VR presented an interaction with virtual worlds with a pair of wands that could emulate grasping and ungrasping at best — a far cry from the juggling you can do with modern controllers or the virtual hands with individual fingers you can get with a Valve Index controller today.
Now that Sony is getting set to release its latest VR technology, it has to compete with the Oculus Quest 2, the finger-tracking Valve Index, and the high-resolution HP Reverb G2. Though the technology behind the VR2 seems modern compared to the first PSVR, and its PlayStation Move controllers, now more than ever Sony has to prove that its latest VR addition with its top-notch technology can provide users with a compelling experience that its other competition can provide. PlayStation recently announced that the Horizon Call of the Mountain game has been built with the PS VR2 in mind, this addition will open doors for players to go deeper into the world of Horizon.
Olagoke Ajibola is a creative writer and content producer with an eye for details and excellence. He has a demonstrated history of telling stories for TV, Film and Online. Aside from being fascinated by the power of imagination, his other interest are travel, sport, reading and meeting people.
