Sony’s worst kept secret will be officially unveiled during the Game Developers Conference next month, a secret tipster speaking with electronics publication Tech Radar has claimed. Rumours regarding an Oculus Rift-esque headset for the PlayStation 4 have been rife since late last year, and it looks like the company is finally ready to confirm the speculation. It had previously planned announcements at both GamesCom and the Tokyo Game Show, but opted to refine the product a little further before showing it to the world.
According to the British publication’s anonymous insider – who apparently has first-hand experience with the add-on – the peripheral is going to surprise consumers. “The quality and resolution are really, really good,” the source said. "People will definitely be impressed with what Sony's built.” As the website points out, a GDC reveal makes sense, as it will allow the platform holder to get the product into developer’s hands, while also paving the way for a proper E3 blowout.
Unsurprisingly, the manufacturer has refused to comment on the rumours, but there’s so much smoke surrounding the unannounced peripheral that it seems almost certain that it’s happening. Assuming that the speculation is correct, the device will employ motion sensors to allow you to physically examine virtual worlds by moving your head. It sounds like a real innovation, but cost will be a big barrier for the manufacturer to overcome. How much would you pay for something like this? Let us know in the comments section below.
[source techradar.com]
Comments 45
If it's good I'd pay up to 500,- for it. Given that its supported by games I want to play, or even better, just works with anything, translating the "look around controls" from right stick to your head etc...
From what I've heard, the OR isn't coming to consoles, just PC and mobile. If that's true, then PlayStation gamers would have no alternate choice meaning they'd be pretty much forced to buy Sony's product if they were interested in VR - of course, Sony would still need to attach a reasonable price to it.
@Scollurio Wow, really? I think realistically that would be far too high, as the console costs $400, too - so that's nearly $1,000 for the full experience. I think $250 is the maximum they can get away with TBH.
I just can't see this being as good as OR. Even if it was, it will probably be no where near as open as the OR and therefore support will be limited.
Im super excited for VR tech so hopefully Sony has somehow created the answer and proves me wrong.
@get2sammyb Agreed $500 would be ridiculous
@get2sammyb I was thinking the max should be around 300. You're right. Theres no way it can cost more than the console. Oh, and get ready for some awesome bundles when it comes out.
I expect them to sell it at around $60 like the PS4 eye and let software build profit.
I hope we're able to play Outlast with it!
@darkhairwarrior there's no way. That kind of tech costs way too much for that price
@BornOfEvil Oh that's 100% true they've said that they have no interest in consoles
I doubt I would buy it was over $100, I just won't be able to justify it, and even at $100 it would be hard. However, if it's $60 as suggested in a previous comment, it would be a no brainer. Just give me one game to make good use of it and I would be sold.
This would be really cool.But I fear it will become this generation's PlayStation Move, an extra expence that devs wont properly support and Sony will abandon after a year or 2. The chase after gimmicks rarely pans out.
@DaftPlayStation It doesn't matter, if the rumors are true, then Sony's VR headset is set to give it a run for its money.
@eLarkos The OR isn't even that good, though. It's pretty cool, but it's criminally overexaggerated, Sword Art Online is partially to blame there.
I'd expect this to market for around £180-200. This tech is relatively niche so will not be cheap. Look st how much Sony wants for the 'new improved' vita. Nuff said.
@Jaz007 there's no way it will be $60 my guess it'll be $100 or $200 or $250 max guess you won't be buying one if that is the case
@darkhairwarrior
$60 lol are you crazy? Prepare to be disappointed.
I think it's going to be €300-€400.
I think price is going to be a problem, people will moan that it's too expensive etc (don't buy it then it's just an optional accessory).
@DaftPlayStation Yeah, sadly, that is the truth. Oh, well, a man can dream.
I'm not a fan of strapping small screens onto my face so I'll pass on VR gaming in general.
$200 would have to be my highest bid. My tv is good for its age (1080p and black-level-extender), so the picture quality had better be kick-ass. PS3 let them get away with 720 res, but it's gotta be 1080 now, right? Also, I wanna know if my gf can watch what unfolds on the big tv while I use the headset
interesting. whatever the price may be. be 500, 200, 60. if used awesomely I will purchase.
We'll be lucky if it's under $1k.
Hopefully Sony want this to compete with the Rift on an industry level, so price it accordingly.
I just don't see this thing pricing over $100 and still being successful publlicly. If it's too expensive, then I'm expecting it to be the next 32X or Virtual Boy.
If the games available (hoping outlast is one of those) are good, I'll buy it.
@BornOfEvil? Have you used OR? Was it the lastest iteration?
The OR team are very up front with their development issues and seem pretty switched on to what is needed. Sony will pump out a thousand products to be in every market. Im not saying its not possible for Sonys VR to be better its just i doubt that it will seeing as how Sony pretty much isnt the best in any tech category right now (bar Home Consoles and compact cameras).
@darkhairwarrior I had a 32x! To be fair, I was the only person I knew who had one.
@eLarkos seeing as sony pretty much isn't the best in any tech category What the hell are you talking about Sony makes some the best TVs out there
@DaftPlayStation They make good TVs, not the best. They make good headphones, not the best. They make good smartphones, not the best. They make good tablets, not the best. They make good VR, not the best....
Sony is a symbol of quality, no doubt, but they haven't been making the best for a long time now. As I said though, im hoping its an amazing product and its complete possible it will be but my money is on OR. And for me when it comes to something as exciting as VR its all or nothing.
@eLarkos Well i guess we just disagree when comes to Sony and there TVs Sony's TVs are the best in my opinion my only problem with sony and there TVs is that there are very overpriced which why i don't own one
@get2sammyb I didn't say thats the price they should ask for it, I agree, 249,- (isn't that the price of the original kinect when it launched) sounds reasonable to me. I just meant that I personally would be willing to shell out that much cash if the experience is top notch. I just wonder how "low" they can go with price, considering the technical difficulties at least the OR guys had to overcome with each new iteration of their hardware.
Also, if the virtual reality headset (as a lack of a better name) is compatible out of the box with most of the games with no alteration on the code needed (basically really just translating controller input to the headset) I think even 300,- or more wouldn't be too much to ask, of course if you shell out that kind of money and get 3 or 4 "kinectimals" games a year it might be a bit of a waste. One way or another, im pumped to see what it all is about!
@DaftPlayStation Fair enough. Out of interest, why do you think Sonys TVs are the best?
@Scollurio Games need to be specifically made or heavily modified to work in VR. Unfortunately the dream of playing all your old favs in VR wont be happening. Unless of course they just hook up the VR headset to the games and dont care about the experience...which i highly doubt.
I would be willing to pay up to $500. If I had to guess I'd say it will be $350.
I will absolutely buy it if I can use it as my screen for any game. I don't care if every game programs in special controls for looking around, I'd be just fine using my dualshock for the games that don't support motion tracking. And like someone else said it would be nice for the video to be on the TV at the same time for someone else to see.
Just imagine how awesome this would be with two headsets for a co-op game like Borderlands.
It would have to work super well and with most games for me to consider it. I'd only be willing to go up to $150 if it was great. Not sure if it's really for me though. I'd almost need to demo it first.
I'd be willing to pay max 400 bucks, but I don't think they'd set it that high considering that's also the price of the console to use the device on..
I'm betting the official price would be around 250-300.
I wouldn't pay more than 125 usd for it...
@get2sammyb The OR is allegedly only going to cost $300 retail and that has a 1080p screen. Anything more than that, I agree, is too much to make it worth it.
Although I am excited by the idea of VR, having played with a friends OR dev kit, my expectations are low. The tech has a long way to go before it is viable to play a full game with.
If Sony is ready to release something it will need to be streets ahead of where OR is currently at.
@darkhairwarrior yes I'd be happy with that but being £60 would mean it's alittle more for your $ 😔
@Scollurio please tell me you was drunk when you wrote this?! 500..... Not a chance!!!
I wouldn't pay anymore than the amount for my iPhone. This would be a great addition to the PS4 and I wonder how this will play in with future games...
PSN: iSillyBoi Judas
Why dont people believe it can be $500? They sold that crappy 24" display for $500 and nobody bought that, but they still sold it for $500. And thats what this is, a display that you strap to your face. If it has built in $100 wireless speakers- and why build s headset that doesnt include wireleess sound? - thats $100 right there. Of course thats all dependent on this completely replacing a tv, XMB and Netflix and web browsing and music listrning and everything. If its only good for s few games - wait how many gamed dupportef Sonys 2 in 1 $500 display tech, msybe 2? so eho knows.
@get2sammyb Agreed. $250 would be a maximum price point for my household. That said I have my doubts about this head set unless they are incorporating some processing hardware within the VR headset as I just don't see the PS4 being able to deliver a convincing experience on par with the OR without some extra help.
That would most likely raise the cost of the device. It'll all depend on whether this is being sold as a peripheral or complimentary hardware. I'll remain cautiously optimistic about the headset until we know more.
I'd definitely want to own one, but I'd wait until it was on sale for $100 on Amazon, even if that meant waiting until the PS5 was announced/released.
Friendly question: Why do we need such a level of immersion?
@ThreadShadow Don't really need it just want it it's more of a luxury really i think it's really cool i know i want one
@Midzark Why whats wrong with paying 500 for a gameplay-enhancing peripheral? It's optional and if you compare it to the PC world, I'd rather spend 500 on a VR headset than 500+ for a graphics card that's not even high end and gives me 5+ frames more in any given game.
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