Well, that PlayStation VR price announcement was a master stroke, wasn't it? Sony announced earlier in the week that its fancy face mask will cost $399.99 in the United States – except pre-orders will set you back significantly more. The platform holder's just announced on the PlayStation Blog that starting 07:00AM PT on Tuesday, 22nd March it'll be accepting deposits for the PlayStation VR launch bundle, which, er, costs $499.99. Sneaky!
To be fair, this set comes with a whole slew of stuff: a PlayStation VR headset, all of the cables, some stereo headphones, a demo disc, a PlayStation Camera, two PlayStation Move wands, and a copy of PlayStation VR Worlds. This is all fine and dandy, but the problem is that the bog-standard PlayStation VR set will not be available for pre-order, so if you already own the camera and controllers, then you're right out of luck. Boo hiss, etc!
It's also worth adding that those of you in Canada will be paying an eye-watering $699.99 CAD for the same batch of gear, which has surely got to sting. It's still a very competitive price, of course, but we're surprised that Sony's opted to take this route in the United States to be honest. Then again, it does enjoy shooting itself in the foot from time to time – thank heavens SCEE has gone the opposite direction and decided to sell the headset on its own.
Update (14:45PM GMT): It looks like pre-orders for the base set will open in the States later in the year. We'll naturally keep you updated as and when we have more information.
[source blog.us.playstation.com]
Comments 45
Shady for me, this.
Seems a bit dishonest.
@stevie85 Agreed. There's absolutely nothing wrong with the bundle option, but they should allow people to pick between either the bundle or the base model. The fact that they're trying to railroad people into getting the bundle is very disappointing.
The only upside is that they have until October to offer the base model for pre-order as well. Hopefully they change their mind.
This was inevitable. The decent price point was always a marketing ploy to grab headlines. If anyone is serious about picking PSVR up at some point, now might be a good time to buy a cheap 2nd hand camera and move controllers.
@Mergatro1d Right, but what's the point in even doing that when you can't pre-order the base model on its own?
I'm so happy I live in the EU now, AND already have the camera and wands. I'll be $100 better off than you, my dear US friends.
Why would they announce it as 400€/$ if you can't buy it at that price so? Bit unfair tbh on the people who own the camera and move controllers.
@itshoggie It's ridiculous, isn't it? Worse still, the early adopters of VR are likely to be the exact same people who blew cash on the PS Camera/Move controllers in the first place. Asinine decision.
Sometimes, I wish Sony would just hire me as a consultant. I'd solve all of these problems for them.
@get2sammyb very true, but I would hope base models are available immediately upon release (or at least very shortly after), otherwise why even quote a price for it? It is unfair on those who want to preorder, though- and especially people already with a camera and move controllers
A bit stupid. Give people the option to pre order the $400 basic set.
I'm not surprised in the slightest, standard practice. I will however be surprised if SCEE doesn't follow suit as well....October is a long long way away, plenty of time for change.
Pre-orders are currently for the 'bundle' only. Maybe Sony will offer pre-orders for just the headset or maybe only offer pre-orders of the headset only via selected retailers.
There is a fair chance that many PS4 owners don't own the camera or Move - particularly those new to Playstation. Maybe a few of those who buy 'everything Sony' (either because they write for a PS based website or are that way inclined) will have these already but a lot won't!
@Mergatro1d I suppose the worry is that stock is going to be supply constrained and they won't ship many standalone units. As with any hardware launch, I imagine most will want to secure their pre-order as soon as possible in case it quickly goes out of stock.
We'll see.
@Grawlog It's a good point actually. My understanding is that, while Move didn't light up the sales charts anywhere, it did better in Europe where SCEE pushed it harder.
@get2sammyb It's just an unbelievably dishonest move. It's available as a core set everywhere else that it's being sold but not in the US. I am really dumbfounded especially after Shuhei acknowledged that many fans already have the contollers and camera. So frustrating that I am sure it will turn many longtime players off from preorder.
The bundle is not bad value but surely that is the holiday sku and day one adopters would want the stand alone. Really weird marketing decision. I also think it's odd that the base version doesn't come with anything other than the playroom demo. You would think the VR Worlds thing should be a pack in for all versions.
Wow, now that's a way to kill enthusiasm they worked so hard on generating! It's actuallly a decent deal when it comes down to it but have two problems with it:
1) as mentioned above, why give a price of base unit if can't buy it? What about thos whoe already have the accessories?
2) bundling is ok, however, even though the camera is necessary for it work, move controllers are not. I myself am not planning to get those until I see it fit, DualShock will suit me just fine (I'm in the UK).
I reckon that Move is more integral to the PSVR experience than many think. IE, your dual shock will not always be the preferred method.
@Neolit
Sometimes a bunch of bad decisions will lead to one good one, how is that Wonderbook doing btw?
At least y'all can pre-order. No such option on Amazon Japan.
Since I don't own the camera or the move controllers, do you guys think this is a good deal? I guess the real question is whether or not the move controllers are "essential" to the experience.
@get2sammyb Exactly this. I am sure they assume most will need the wheel bundle anyway, makes sense to make it available first and see how many get preorder ed that way before offering the headset only preorder.
To be fair, I don't have the camera or wands so this might be more reasonable for -me-, but there should still have been an option to get the base model for people who already have all of that tech.
@Azikira I'm sure that there will be bundle configurations for everybody.
I just read that they are using OLED screens, which is great.
What a MS move of them! Even if they decide to open up pre orders for just the headset at a later date, most early adopters are gonna pre order this one anyway to make sure they have one at launch.... It seems like Sony knows :S
I hope this bundle won't come to the Pal region; I recently bought a sh*tload of move controllers and Duracell docking stations on the cheap so I can sell them bundled to PSVR buyers. I'm planning to make some serious money of of this, so don't screw me over Sony
And here's me thinking Sammy was a massive Sony fanboy.
I just wonder who thought it would be a good idea to put that bald, wife-beater wearin' guy front and center on the cover of the VR Worlds game.
VR is dead in Canada before any of them even launch, some sets will cost well over a thousand dollars CDN. Even the basic PS VR headset(no bundle)will cost over $500 bucks...
@Grawlog This. I want this bundle since i have to buy the camera and the move controllers separately. This is like 100 Euro for 2 move controllers, a camera and a game, fine by me.
@flummerfelt Oohw i think they are essential. Most games like for example golem require the move controller and to be honest i don't want to play with a regular controller
@finalstan Good luck playing Golem or until dawn rush of blood. THe only game i have seen working properly with a dualshock is rigs
Not sure I see this as being shady they are selling both packages just the base one is later in the year. It was always going to cost more for the extra bits $100 is reasonable for camera and two light controllers plus game.
As for price differences between regions some people get better deals than others but that's the way it has always been.
Update (14:45PM GMT): It looks like pre-orders for the base set will open in the States later in the year. We'll naturally keep you updated as and when we have more information.
There is a link for just the base set and it $399!
I'm gonna lock in a preorder for this just in case, then cancel later if/when I decide I don't need it
I mean... let people try it before you imagine that you can charge that freakin much.
$699 in Canada, its a good thing I didn't want this to begin with.
@get2sammyb "Shady for me, this."
Remember the PS4 reveal and for months after EVERY PS4 pic had the camera in it? And then after E3 it didn't?
Edit - That isn't to imply PS VR goes away like the camera, that's not my point, just that Sony isn't always up front about things is all.
I thought the headphones came included already. So what PS VR is In all honesty is a screen with the movement capabilities monitored by the camera.
You got me intrigued with these articles @get2sammyb but the HTC vive sounds a million times better. The object based sound stuff valve is developing and the close proximity warning tech is worlds away from what the Ps vr is - the no frills option into vr.
Wh...what the heck is up with that cover art? Who thought "let's put a bald rapper wearing a wife beater" was a good idea. And then there's a freaking shark. Can the shark shoot lasers too? Can't even take that seriously. I'm sorry.
@themcnoisy Haven't tried the Vive, but apparently it's mind blowing. Only problem is I wouldn't have space for the Vive anyway.
This sucks, my PS4 came with the camera bundled so I don't need another one. Though I suppose I would need some PS Move controllers, but I'd rather just grab them separately for cheap. And if PSVR takes off retailers will likely start stocking them again so it won't be hard to find them. Either way, I'll be waiting until the release a version that only has the headset.
@get2sammyb Do third party headphones fit comfortably with the headset? I have a pair of Astros that I'd much rather use than the(likely) cheap ones that come with the headset.
This is actually a pretty good bundle, and if you already have a camera (which I do too), just trade in the one and get something else for it. Still, pricey for me, but maybe next year, I can own one if the VR takes off...until then, I'll be waiting to see what games will definitely come for it!
Sony, u sneaky lil' snake. I may try to pre-order but, if I miss that boat, I won't be upset. I sure don't mind slowly collecting the bundled items up to launch as I'm usually late to the pre-order party.
I don't think this is an intentional marketing ploy as this makes no sense at all. Sony knows they have bundled the Camera, they also know of early adopter of the PS MOVE and with the PS4 mind you. I don't see why they would do something like this and completely screw themselves over on early adopters. It's the early adopters that really make the product shine and if no one adopts this VR set early, it will get buried and quite fast.
Sony really needs to be careful, if this is all true that they aren't going to sell the base VR model and just force people to buy the bundle, I think they will have already lost their money.
Would get the Bundle pack! another $100 for Camera & 2 Move is good deal!
Totally worth it with a "demo" disc attached!
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