PlayStation VR is back to life, back to reality.
Feast your eyes on the PSVR 2 headset
2 min readSony gets a real kick out of drip-feeding information on its latest hardware developments. One year (almost to the day) after Sony first teased the second generation PlayStation VR (PSVR) headset for PlayStation 5 (PS5), it has pulled the curtain back on the PSVR 2 headset via a post on the PlayStation blog. Images of the new headset are accompanied by a tweaked design for the PSVR 2 controllers, which have been given a lick of white paint to fit in with the rest of the PS5 family.
Sadly, the reveal wasn’t accompanied by a launch window. Though Sony has previously warned us that the PSVR 2 wouldn’t be launching in 2022, so don’t expect local pricing or release details for some time.
On the PSVR 2’s design, Sony’s Senior VP of Platform Experience Hideaki Nishino had this to say:
You’ll notice the PS VR2 headset has a similar shape as the PS VR2 Sense controller, taking on a matching “orb” look. The circular orb shape represents the 360-degree view that players feel when they enter the virtual reality world, so this shape captures it nicely.
What’s new in the PSVR 2 headset?
Despite being limited to the PlayStation platform, the original PSVR was a popular choice for people dipping their toes in with the technology thanks to its (comparatively) cheaper price tag, and its comfortable fit. Thankfully the PSVR 2 looks like it will stay committed to that ideal. Sony claims to have refined the ergonomics of the PSVR 2 headset by balancing a reduced weight, more tech and with a simple cushioned headband and the same adjustable fit of the original headset. There’s also a new lens dial that operates separately from the adjustment dial; allowing you to tailor your fit without compromising focus.
In addition to the raft of upgrades already announced– like 4K HDR visuals, foveated rendering, headset and controller-based haptic feedback– the new images of the PSVR 2 headset also confirm that the device will sport inside-out tracking. So players won’t need to rely on the PlayStation Camera to keep track of their position.
What is foveated rendering?
Foveated rendering is a display technology created specifically for VR and AR (Augmented Reality) experiences that uses eye-tracking to monitor a player's focus and anticipate their gaze. In short, foveated rendering lightens the intense graphics processing workload for VR headsets, resulting in better battery life and, more importantly for the PSVR, more realistic VR environments.
New PSVR 2 controller features
Details and images of the next-gen PSVR controller have been available as far back as March 19, 2021.
Both PSVR 2 controls have the same Adaptive Triggers that the PS5’s DualSense controller offers. The Adaptive Triggers of DualSense offer an immersive experience where the tension in the L2 and R2 buttons matches an on-screen action; such as feeling the rattle of a machine gun when you pull the trigger in Call of Duty.
The new PSVR controllers will also have the same level of haptic feedback as the DualSense, which was another headline feature of the new console when the PS5 first launched.
We’ll be awaiting more details with bated breath and watery eyes. If you want to stay updated with the latest PSVR 2 news, be sure to check back with Reviews.org over the coming months.
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