Sony’s PlayStation VR2 headset hasn’t been released for several weeks, but the console maker has already reported half-stock after receiving fewer orders than expected. Some analysts still doubt that the device will be more than a “cost-effective device for PS5″.
Bloomberg reported last fall that Sony plans to make two million PS VR2 headsets for launch. It is now reported that Sony has lowered that number to 1 million, planning to ship only 1.5 units between April and March 2024. Sony’s previous PSVR headset, meanwhile, sold about a million two units in his first year. Related articles
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Update 01/31/23 12:40 PM ET: A Sony spokesperson initially declined to comment on Bloomberg saying the company was not considering the product, but denied the report in a statement to Gameindustry. business. The company said that it “hasn’t cut the PlayStation VR2 production numbers” and “sees the excitement among PlayStation players for the upcoming launch”.
The first story follows. There is no doubt that different prices have a lot to do with this and this can vary from market to market. The first PSVR headset cost $400 at launch. The upcoming PS VR2 costs $550, which is even more than what the PS5 controller needs to use. If you want to play Horizon Call of the Mountain, the adaptation of Horizon Zero Dawn VR, you have to pay $50 above. Although the PS VR2’s technology has improved so far, and is much more streamlined than its predecessor, this price doesn’t seem to aim to spread interest beyond existing VR diehards. It doesn’t help that the PS VR2 isn’t backwards compatible with older headset game libraries. Early adopters will be buying into an entirely new ecosystem at the same time that companies like Meta are exiting and investing in it.
Entry-level Meta Quest headphones sold more than 8 million units in 2021, but last year the company raised the price from $300 to $400. Now it’s pushing the $1,500 Meta Quest Pro headset with the promise of better performance and more enjoyable zoom calls. Three years after Valve proved that you can create a successful VR experience with Half-Life: Alyx, it still seems that the companies are not ready to commit to the technology. Maybe a Northern Horizon call will prove everyone wrong.