Sony has announced that its next-generation PlayStation VR headset for PS5 will do away with its predecessor’s spaghetti of wires, replacing them “with a single cord to simplify setup and improve ease-of-use, while enabling a high-fidelity visual experience”. Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg – whose company owns Oculus – has suggested in an earnings call with investors that he doesn’t expect customers to “go for that”.
“Some other folks might try to ship something that they claim is higher quality but has a wire, and I just don’t think that consumers are going to want to go for that,” he said. “Having wires wrapped around you just really breaks the sense of presence and immersion.”
Oculus, of course, has doubled-down on its wireless approach to virtual reality, with the current Oculus Quest 2 proving popular. The company has made wired headsets before, like the Oculus Rift S, but appears to be focused on its standalone approach for now. The aforementioned Oculus Quest 2 handles all of its processing within the headset, so while this does come with compromises, it means you don’t need to be connected to a computer or console.
There’s no doubt that wires do affect immersion in VR, but the biggest problem with PSVR has always been the sheer number of them required to use the headset. If the next-gen version can deliver on Sony’s promise of a single, simple cord then that alone will be transformative. However, as wireless VR continues to establish itself, it’ll be interesting to see whether PlayStation’s solution feels “dated” by the time it eventually releases in 2022.
[source blog.playstation.com, via uploadvr.com]
Comments 63
You need wireless for health and safety! Whilst playing PlayStation VR last week I was so immersed in the game that I somehow managed to tangle the wires around my neck and the light above me... Nearly hung my self!
Seriously though, I think most gamers won’t have a problem with a single wire.
Wireless is obviously better but just the one wire is alright. Mark Zuckerberg weirds me out, he looks like the kid that scratches their bum and then sniffs their hand at school.
Tbh I don't think VR I quite there yet but it's getting there in higher end headsets.... Wireless VR is miles off so one wire us fine not the cable maze with the first PSVR lol
Except most VR I'd want to do is with a wire. I don't care at all for the Oculus store. Steam VR with a wire is so much better for quality and selection.
And maybe try beating the market leader of PSVR first. Having the graphics, headset, headset weight, amount you can do with the VR etc, lack, and the wirelessness won't matter.
VR is already expensive enough that I'm gonna let the VR focus on the VR and my PC or PS4/5 focus on the processing. I don't want another computer, I want a VR headset. I think he's wrong and will get trounced by PSVR2 again.
Unless you can bluetooth it seamlessely or the same idea, don't waste my money and resources on having yet another computer to avoid a single lousy wire.
Hopefully no breakout box will be required . Maybe Sony will update the PS5 firmware and the front usb-C is actually a USB4 and the one wire is achievable.
Even if a wired connection slightly breaks the immersion, a single cable isn't bad. Not everything has to go wireless people, they too have their own drawbacks.
Ultimately what sells the hardware is the quality & quantity of the software even if the hardware is dated. Besides, I don't trust words coming out of Mr Zuckerberg.
The current tradeoff is Wired with a Spec Box (PC or Console) to drive visual quality or Wireless with weaker visual quality. PSVR2 should take advantage of the PS5's power for a great experience. In addition, PSVR2 should benefit from a single hardware/OS development environment versus its competitors. I really think PSVR2 will end up taking off as soon as it gets either a big Open World RPG or something like Fortnite VR. One killer app and the improvements already made and I could see PSVR2 doing 20-25 million headsets by the time PS5 hits 100 million install base.
He is correct , ........ but to have a high end and immersive 4k 120 fps with real life like graphic and robust 3d graphic it need powerful CPU or consoles (PS5). And to connect VR to processing box , it required a wire. The wireless tech is still not mature (even high bandwidth broadband still has some lag) , the battery tech is still not mature . That's why company who aim for hardcore VR audience don't have any choices to include with wired. Hell even Facebook still selling Oculus Rift LMAO.
As someone who has a single wired pc vr setup I'm pleased they are going that route. I'm hoping the PS5s power through that single cable will mean a very high resolution and a much better FOV. And with the haptics and adaptive triggers in the controllers I think psvr2 could be very immersive. Will be very interesting to see the sales figures by about 2025, I think Zuckerberg might have to eat his words.
Wouldn't listen to this NWO robot.
Actually, nobody would buy a VR you have to have a Facebook account for...
Depends on price. I see PS VR 2 as remaining the market leader as it will probably be the most affordable system on the market, will have a lot of exclusive experiences, is part of the playstation ecosystem, and people don't need to worry about the spec of their machine. One wire shouldn't be a major issue.
Only issue will come if microsoft partner with index or oculus for xbox.
Mark is one to talk though. Alot of people dont want to buy into a system where facebook activation is a requirement so its not all roses on that side either
@SilkySmile89 I don’t think they can update the USB port to usb4 with a firmware update. However, I believe all of the usb 3 ports on the PS5 are gen 2, and therefore twice as fast as most usb 3 ports. They reach around 1 Gbps vs 500 mbps on a standard usb 3 port. Oculus has already proven they are able to drive the visuals using oculus link and a usb 2.0 cable. A 3.2 gen 2 port should be more than sufficient.
He’s very qualified to have that opinion, and he’s probably right. 3D will likely go mainstream once you don’t need glasses and screens can somehow project images as well as current flat panels. Touch screens didn’t take off until the stylus was replaced effectively with the finger. The less BS you need to have the customer contend with, the more likely it’ll be to take off. That’s just basic science. Of course there are other factors such as price, but it’ll all come together eventually.
I won't buy anything to do with Facebook I know that much, horrible website. As far as wired VR goes I will buy it provided there isn't too many wires with it needed to use it so he's wrong there, many people will buy it in fact.
@Ssimsim
Wireless VR really isn’t miles off. The techs already here and it’s great. Just maybe not at PlayStations price point.
I use an oculus quest 2 wirelessly from my gaming PC and it’s something else.
It’s leagues above the old PSVR, but then it should be, it only came out last year.
The only thing holding back oculus / pcvr and VR in general is the quality / quantity of quality games.
Playing Half-Life Alyx, Project Cars 2 or Wingman wirelessly is something else. Also playing games like Onwards without wires is special. Allows you to go prime easily etc without worrying about any wires.
I think if PSVR 2 or 3 manages to go wireless, with perhaps the option of going wired for those who don’t have good enough wireless network latency at home, will be the game changer.
PS has the best games, like RE7.
Just needs a better device now, PSVR resolution and general performance is well behind the oculus quest 2 imo, I have both and have played them extensively.
Re4 is going to Oculus Quest 2 I read.
Imagine RE2 remake or Final Fantasy 7 Remake in PSVR wirelessly? Not to mention the next gran tourismo with fully online vr races perhaps, those with extensive racing wheel setups will have possibly the most realistic experience possible. It’d feel just like wearing a race helmet.
Technology is awesome.
@soimun I was thinking of upgrading from Oculus Quest 1 I was just wondering how much is it?
@RubyCarbuncle think it was $299 in the states , I can’t remember. Worth it if you have a decent gaming pc to wirelessly stream games I’d say.
The Quest 2 native games are good also, but the quantity of quality games is limited, new releases are spares.
Just use Steam VR and play wirelessly using Virtual Desktop.
I will. In fact I’ll much prefer it. What he means is casuals, happy with on board processing limitations, won’t buy it.
I prefer wireless but one cable isn't that bad, especially if it means more powerful vr compared to it's wireless counterpart.
@R1spam Except for the millions who already bought it.
@soimun Thanks for the info.
I'll wait until playstation vr is wireless until I buy. After using oculus wirelessly, there's no going back to wired vr.
@AgentGuapo on Oculus they have internal processing so they don't need to send video/audio signal through . PS5 has USB 3.2 and that's 10gbs. A 2.0C HDMI has 18gbs so I don't think will be possible without a breakout box. Or at least the headset should come with a small signal splitter. The PS5 can already do 3Daudio so still possible without. Why oh why they didn't add a second HDMI port on the PS5. Cause they already had planned PSVR2. Or maybe when PSVR2 will come, PS5 slim with USB4 will be launching, same like they did with the first PSVR and PS4 slim/pro
Kinda funny he mentions breaking immersion because I feel whoring myself out to FB also does that.
@BUDSclass201 you joining the SEALS or already did?
Headline tomorrow "Sony president Jim Ryan Doesn't Think People Will Buy VR Tied to a Facebook Account"
@soimun sorry didn't mean offense Im obviously out of loop when it comes to VR. I had no idea you could play half life wireless on quest 2. Maybe there is hope for a wireless headset from psvr 2 I honestly thought the quality of it being wireless dropped compared to being wired and also thought battery life was a big problem wireless aswell.
I agree with you about the quality of games needs to improve aswell half life, resi evil are amazing start to aaa games on VR but I did feel 90% of games on vr were just tech demo or really short minimal games.
"the biggest problem with PSVR has always been the sheer number of them required to use the headset"
Completely disagree. The cables between the PSVR box and PS4 are in my equipment stand and don't bother me at all. I'd say the issues with PSVR in order of importance are:
1. Lack of analogue sticks on Move controllers
2. Resolution is too low
3. Headset having a cable attached can be distracting and often gets caught up with me.
4. Headset is quite bulky and can get a bit hot and sweaty after prolonged periods of play.
Even the Oculus Quest 2 needs to have a cord for playing full scale PC VR games, I would prefer wireless infinitely over wired but in regards to demanding games I think a wire will be needed for quite a few years
@BionicDodo you forgot to add no fan to reduce the fog In the headset
@SilkySmile89 Sony already said there will be a single wire that hooks upto the PS5.
VR has its limits, no matter if wired or not. I'm looking forward near future, where TVs or monitors will be replaced by 3D projectors (holographs). I know it would destroy physical board games, but it is something I dying for.
Mark Zuckerberg is a bug eyed freak that just wants to sell adverts and your personal data. He can get tae.
Hes right... dont get all the love for 'single wire' unless current psvr owners completely unplug their system and set it up each time they use it. Mine currently is one wire as I only unplug the headset so am not seeing much benefit without wireless
Sure, Zuck knows all there is to know about entertainment. With content like Farmville, I'm not sure why anyone else would even try competing.
@nessisonett No, he's the kid that eats glue and burns insects with a magnifying glass, exhibits sociopath behavior and regularly abuses the other kids, but his dad already lined him up with an ivy league scholarship by the second grade, so he's set to not have a care in the world no matter what he does or to whom, but his finishing school refinement lets him emulate perfection when he wants to and the teachers all naturally think he's a gifted, well mannered boy (because they didn't see him sticking kids heads in the toilet.) The scratch & sniff kid usually doesn't bother others doesn't make you want to hit him in the face with a brick shaped object made of brick every time you see him.
@BUDSclass201 has it sold millions?? Psvr sold around the 5 million mark with a huge install base and other sets doing nowhere near those numbers (by all accounts, other manufacturers don't release sales data and I'm guessing if they were big numbers, they would). Don't get me wrong, the tech behind the occulus 2 looks awesome! It just strikes me as a niche product that is hamstrung by having mandatory account links to that goon. Why does one that doesn't have to have Facebook account cost more money?! Madness
The psvr1 only has one cable going from it... I don't care how many plugs hang from it, the installation is simple and anybody who struggles with that will be too inept to interact with VR anyways. Of course a wireless solution would be the most elegant, but I wouldn't take it at the cost of quality.
Also Zuckerberg devalued Oculus just by attaching him and his filthy brand to it.
Wired all day long. Anyone that wants wireless is dillusional as they must really like latency as part of their VR experience. In truth the quest 2 pales in comparison to the big daddy of VR the Valve index. If sony can get close to that beast im happy.
***** Facebook and Oculus
@huyi That hasn't really been an issue I've suffered with personally.
I think he is wrong that no-one will buy wired VR, but I think that everyone would prefer it to be wireless and there are definitely many people who will not buy wired VR if there is a wireless option available.
Having bought the PSVR a couple of years ago, I will probably not buy another wired VR headset. I am looking more at getting the next iteration of Oculus Quest, whenever that may come out.
yeah except that PSVR has already sold well 🙄
@nessisonett 🤣🤣🤣🤣
I'm still hoping that single wire will be gone by release day next year, if not I'll buy it anyway cause Is not that big a deal.
You need a wire to play games like ALYX and Lone Echo on it.
Oculus link is hit or miss even 2 feet away from the router. And last I checked still in beta.
Streaming VR from your PC over Wi-Fi for demanding games certainly isn’t a perfect solution either.
It's just one wire already, isn't it? Mine is, anyway... A single wire that goes to a box which has to be wired to the TV via HDMi and the Ps4 via USB and HDMI, well Ok, there a few but it's just one from the head set. I was really expecting them to go wireless next time, though. The box with all the wires is fine, it is near my tv and they're all tucked away. The single wire still coils round me when playing something like Immortal Legacy, though. That game is fairly fast paced and I find my self turning to run for cover, it's no real biggie as I stay aware of it, but it does feel kind of limiting.
This creepy robot knows how to steal data, promote racists and make a decent VR headset which has completely unacceptable Facebook requirements.
PSVR is an amazing piece of kit despite the wires and version 2 will be even better despite having 1 wire. Go away Zuckerberg you weird, spoon faced machine.
@nessisonett LOL. And then asks his fellow classmates to smell it too 🤣
@nessisonett Depends. It's still a trade off. Wired doesn't need a heavy battery, wire is cheaper than a battery, more environmentally friendly, can achieve higher fidelity and frame rates, etc.
I guess we'll see. PSVR is far and away the most successful headset so far, but who knows what the future holds.
He's forgetting that it will be plugged into the extremely popular PS5. The future is eventually wireless, that is obvious, we're not quite there yet at these price points, though. I do not mind, the kind of games Sony will want on PSVR will lend themselves to longer, sit-down sessions where cable doesn't matter that much.
It will be the software that sells PSVR2! Not one wire or no wires.
I think he's pretty much right overall. VR will be niche until it's both wireless and powerful. Currently wireless isn't powerful enough, and powerful enough isn't wireless, and yeah, VR remains niche. It's probably going to be about a good long while before it becomes mainstream - a decade away at least.
I wonder if we will see third party adapters to give us wireless VR on PSVR 2? As to the one wire thing I really don't care as I just leave mine hooked up at all times and it is gen 2 with just one wire. If anything it will be more annoying with crap hanging out of the front of my PS5 with PSVR2.
I’d take a single wire over a 2 hour battery. But what I’m worried about is the extra USB cable and HDMI that you had to connect to your TV
@Jaz007 PSVR allready has one wire. It's the breakout box that has more cables. Sony has been ambiguous about the new setup. I highly doubt it that PSVR2 will not have a breakout box. The USB-C 3.2 at the front is not fast enough for 2x1080p @ 120hz displays if this will be the setup. If it was USB4 maybe one cable.
First of all who gives a crap what Mark Zuckerburg thinks? He is responsible for spying on billions of people as well as censoring their speech. He also steals competiters ideas and projects and interferes in elections. The man is evil and one of the biggest threats to freedom on the planet. That aside having one wire is not a big deal, nor does it break immersion in my opinion. You are so focused on the sights and sounds in the game that you don't notice. This will be doubley true with PSVR 2 I would imagine. Also without a wire the headset will be heavier because of the battery and you will have to worry about recharging it often. No thanks! In addition it is also much more powerful connected by a wire. So kindly zip it Zuckerburg.
@nessisonett
Indeed, the curly haired girl with no eyebrows is definitely a freaky looking fellow
I'd rather have a wired headset then be forced to make a facebook account to use oculus quest
@R1spam exactly! Hoping HTCs new HMDs directly compete with Quest 2. I absolutely don’t want FB having any more info than they already do.
As long as PSVR 2 has amazing games, which let's be honest is a given. One cable isn't a problem, can't wait to see this tech up and running.
This coming from the company, who made you log into Facebook to use their VR headsets
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