
Sony has removed the invite requirement for PSVR2 pre-orders from its PS Direct storefront, meaning you’re now free to purchase a next-gen headset if you want one. Previously, the platform holder only allowed those who’d registered interest in the device to scoop it up, but that obligation has now been retired, and availability is open to everyone. Shipping estimates suggest if you pre-order now, you should receive the peripheral no later than a week after launch.
Some are suggesting this is evidence that the initial pre-order phase has been a flop, but without concrete information on how many units the Japanese giant intends to ship on day one, we’re not sure we agree. Interest in this accessory was always going to be softer than a new console launch, and we reckon the invite system has worked as intended: by allowing enthusiasts, not scalpers, to get dibs on the product. We’d expected general availability to follow.
As a reminder, if you do pre-order, you won’t need to pay until the item is shipped – but you may see a holding charge temporarily put on your account to ensure you have the requisite funds available. So, if you’re still interested in picking up a PSVR2 headset, you can do so through here.
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[source direct.playstation.com, via theverge.com]
Comments 82
Sammy its not coming home.france 🇫🇷 with the win.harry kane choke on that penalty😄.oui oui merci beaucoup mon ami.haha.word up son
@playstation1995 I love macarons more than Taylor Swift but we should have won. 😫
Maybe they should just open to normal retailers like GameStop and let people pre-order normally. Many of us don’t want to order this online without a retail warranty. I also just want to go pick it up the day of. They are making pre-orders somewhat convoluted. First PS5 pre-orders, now PSVR2 is being handlers badly. Sony needs to just do this stuff normally and clearly like in the past with the PS4 pre-order. That was so easy to do.
I’m an enthusiast and they’ve turned me off so far with this scheme.
@Jaz007 i think there will be plenty available day1.
its not console level demand
Hopefully it doesn't do so bad that Sony gives it the "Vita" treatment.
@get2sammyb. Aint macarons food.haha.more than taylor Swift🤔.ok playa.haha.word up son
Definitely this was to prevent scalpers from taking the early orders from enthusiasts. Good shout.
@get2sammyb Was this invite system only for countries where PlayStation Direct is available or something like that?
I ordered my PSVR2 at GameStop Ireland on the first day that pre-orders went live. It's been available to order there since.
Exactly what they should have done with PS5. Invites per account to stop scalpers, then after judging the difference between first and second invite levels, open it up. Scalpers now know their initial market is cut from them. A lesson for the future.
Some how i just don't think this will be sold out on release day.
Really need to try this first.
Hope they set up some demo pods in the UK
In Game or Currys etc.
I think they could sell more if they do.
If I try it and like it and get on with it I’m definitely buying.
So Sony go set up demo pod things.
if this doesn't show the device has flopped at the initial pre-order stage, nothing does. overpriced and niche. never go well together.
I'm skipping the preorders, it's a lot of money for a toy that won't be utilized a lot, and I'm not convinced yet it'll hold it's price or be fully supported for long, but I had signed up for invites when they first opened registration... Never did get an invite.
I'm sure I'll buy one eventually if they do support it though.
@Gamer_Guy Um niche and high prices always go together. It's mass market that bring prices down.
@TrickyDicky99 @Balosi Timing probably doesn't help. Pay today when you're already racking up debt for Christmas for a product you won't get for months, that's a pure novelty luxury during high inflation, consumers pulling back on electronics and discretionary spending in general with a looming recession. I think if preorders we're in February for a March launch it might be a little more attractive. And if it launched in literally any other year with a different economy.
Heck I might even have been tempted to preorder if it were in a month I'm not already buying more than I want to and product wasn't months away.
@Jaz007 Honestly I think direct sale is a good way to handle preorders and the only way to avoid what happened with the console launches. I like their plan in general. What I don't like is problems with if more than one people in one household wants a product. MS allowed 5 per household per 30 days or something which kind of works. The other thing though is based on what Sony said back with console invites it sounds like it's not just a lottery like it should be, but it was tied to secret meta data so that they offered product to the people they wanted to have it. That really felt wrong. But a simple lottery I can accept.
@get2sammyb Taylor Swift, NFL.... Are you sure you're not from Arkansas? You're too American for me! 😂
@NEStalgia Yes the world at the moment is probably hurting vrs chances of taking off, it's still pretty pricey technology.
Vr as a concept isn't going anywhere though I think, it's been an ambition of video games since video games started. The last few years really have been quite exciting, seeing it take great strides.
One day it will be mass market, probably not any time soon, and all the nft/meta nonsense is probably doing more harm than good, but sooner or later a vr machine will become a household staple I'm sure.
@NEStalgia Except you don't have to pay today, you only pay in February when the headset ships... like it says in the article. So you can secure one with a preorder now and back out at no cost if you change your mind/have other financial considerations nearer the time.
Lets face it, VR headsets are for a niche crowd.
The majority of the gaming public have little, to no interest, in VR. Plus at $550, any interest that Sony hopes to create for VR with the majority of gamers, is instantly thrown out the window at that price point.
I will wait for the inevitable price drop
@TrickyDicky99
It’ll come down in price. Tech always does. In the meantime, those of us who are willing to pay to experience something truly groundbreaking will take the slack of funding. Even if there are only a few games as great as Astro Bot Rescue Mission, that’ll pay for the headset for me. I personally couldn’t care less about how successful it’ll be or not be (although it will be, PCVR guys have been desperate to get away from mobile crap).
@Dezzy70 Covid - 19 VR Game....Super Variant
@TrickyDicky99
The big disadvantage PSVR had was that it didn’t have the same tech as PCVR or even quest rubbish. Now it does, it will get a lot more support. Hopefully it will lead to a resurgence of high quality games by expanding the market the quest destroyed.
What a relief they are not holding these ransom anymore. I used a friend's unwanted invite early on just to be safe. Glad I was overreacting.
@Marquez I hadn't realized that, you're right. That does make it slighslightly more desirable to try. It does almost tempt me since you can cancel, but, the price point and rerelative low use it'd get still make the cost a bit prohibitive. It does tempt me to place the preorder with intent to cancel just in case though lol
I ended up passing the multiple invites I got. They didn't announce any interesting looking launch titles.
sorry but PSVR2 isnt even going to sell what PSVR 1 did
PSVR 1 sold less than the vita and we all know how that went
What did I tell you all 😂😂😂😂
@Kriandis
Well I would try it in a shop anyway.
Getting a bit of a bashing PSVR on here.
Wonder why Sony keep pursuing this PSVR if its not that popular.
I mean it must cost them a lot money design, manufacturing, production and that’s without the developing the games cost.
Then again Sony Music purchased Bruce Springsteen music rights for 500 million dollars.
God knows how they gonna make that money back.
Problem is Sony require you to pay in full at the time of preorder its Christmas I can't afford it now BUT I can when it's released! I think they need to change when they take payment too, pay a day or two before despatch would be much better!
@Jaz007 Better this than scalpers getting the majority of the stock surely ?
@Mysticshadow No they dont
@playstation1995 crying 😂😂😂😂
@Discol76 thanks for the info! It's not like the ps store
@NEStalgia Oh it’s still a restrictive price point, that’s for sure. I know, because I’m now trying to save towards it! I reckon I’m no better than 50/50 on actually getting it when February rolls around.
I am waiting to see if they do sell it through other retailers other than direct before deciding
@Mr_Gamecube Ah but of course.
That makes sense.
Thanks!
@WadeIsInsane
I remember the wife getting me a PS5 around release from game, so it wasn’t pre order only for the PS5. What the account link is meant to do is make it harder for scalpers to use bots. Looks like it worked. That, or scalpers thought the 2 million stock level was enough to make scalping difficult for what is currently s niche market. Well played Sony.
@Jaz007 To be fair, when the scalpers started hoarding PS5s this is exactly what people pleaded with Sony to do for future hardware launches. Some even slammed them for not doing it in the first place.
I'm sure they'll see what works and go with it.
@Smill. Haha no doubt playa.vivre la 🇫🇷 la france mon ami.word up son
until VR sorts out AAA gaming it wont mainstream.
50 for games that last 2-8hrs, ontop of 500 for VR and 500 for ps5, is out of reach for many families.
instead of 500 for VR you can get series S AND a switch. offering far better value.
VR will be there around 10yr time
@stvevan
I don’t really get what you are saying about spending that PSVR2 money on other devices that don’t offer much new over what you already have as a ps5 gamer.
Why am I spending that money buying a series x when I can get 99% of games on the ps5 already (not to mention Xbox is for people who just need subsidised gaming, not the target market for high end VR devices); Switch, sure, that offers something a little different in terms of playing when out, but still the same old flat games.
But I do agree with the other part. The price is out of the range for many families. Then again, probably not families who have a PS5. You actually might as well make the same claim against PS5/SX, that it is out of the price range of most people. Or cars. Or houses…
@Dezzy70 not being popular in a random comments section isn't really an indicator that it's not popular in general.
Well they learned that scalpers give them the big sales so they can exclaim they sold out in seconds.
@thefourfoldroot1 for families it offers more value and play time on a S and switch to VR, where a game typically lasts a couple of hours..... at a cost of 1k before any games. it will be out of the price range for many with a ps5.
its just not ready for mainstream, it will surpass VR1, probably double the users. until cod/gta/sports type developers get in on it, it will struggle.
god knows why you are blabbering about cars and housing that have no relevance.
@NEStalgia @Shepherd_Tallon Allowing for some pre-orders this way maybe, but I just don’t buy it It as needed to be honest. The main reason PS5 ended up the way it did was for two reasons.
1. They made it chaotic. The pre-orders went live randomly and they quickly lost control of the situation which also made the demand go up quickly. If they had just given us a time after the press conference it would have been much easier, or just said it’s open now like they were expected.
2. They had pre-orders go live too close to release. PS4 had a few extra months and pre-orders were fine, as well as being clearly organized and announced. I hopped over to GameStop and got a pre-order no sweat for the PS4 and people got them simply enough.
And considering PSVR2 is more niche, I see no reason the PS4 situation couldn’t be easily replicated.
@stvevan
“ at a cost of 1k before any games. it will be out of the price range for many with a ps5.”
Not sure what currency you are referencing, but for ps5 owners it’s like £700 with a couple of games, not £1k without any!
Look, it’s pointless discussing value, because it depends on 1) how much disposable income someone has, and 2) how much one values the experience of VR.
However, to say that, for someone with PS5, spending that money on a device like a series x makes sense, when it does pretty much the same thing as a PS5, rather than something like PSVR2, which bring completely new experiences…that’s just clearly incorrect.
4-500 for ps5, 500 for VR = 900+ to play a VR game. that is alot of $$ for something to become mainstream.
ive never mentioned Series X.
you are just changing my words, so i will just leave it here
@KeldorTheCursed
That’s true, I just thought it would be a good idea if demo pods in shops so you could have a try.
I definitely want to try.
"Get it while it's not in demand". There, dudes, I fixed the title of this article for ya. Far out.
@Mysticshadow you have to pay in February just before release
Good to see a Push Square comment section so joyous for this time of the year. Haha.
@trev666 the main reason for the lack of Vita support was a different one though. The main reason it didn't get any major support any more was because it was completely cracked open by 2015.
@LN78
🙄 I knew that would get such a reaction. Maybe I should have said “mostly” rather than “just”, but surely you know what I mean. The main USP for MS is Gamepass (cheap, subsidised, gaming), whereas Sony concentrate more on innovation currently (controller, VR).
@LN78
I realised after but I couldn’t be bothered to edit. And I didn’t say one was better than the other, that was your inference.
@LN78
So you did infer something then. Really, read what I said again and try to calm down. Nobody insulted anybody here.
Here. I copy it here do you don’t have to scroll:
“ I don’t really get what you are saying about spending that PSVR2 money on other devices that don’t offer much new over what you already have as a ps5 gamer.
Why am I spending that money buying a series x when I can get 99% of games on the ps5 already (not to mention Xbox is for people who just need subsidised gaming, not the target market for high end VR devices); Switch, sure, that offers something a little different in terms of playing when out, but still the same old flat games.
But I do agree with the other part. The price is out of the range for many families. Then again, probably not families who have a PS5. You actually might as well make the same claim against PS5/SX, that it is out of the price range of most people. Or cars. Or houses…”
I got an invite earlier this week, I thought I was special. Bummer.
Did order it though. We'll see if I keep the pre-order, as it's a tad expensive, but I did like PSVR quite a lot.
@LN78
I’m sorry, I’m trying to be reasonable but you aren’t making it easy. I said:
“ Maybe I should have said “mostly” rather than “just”, but surely you know what I mean. The main USP for MS is Gamepass”
If you can’t calm down after that explanation that’s on you. Not even MS could seriously disagree that this is where their advertising focus has lain, and where many people see the value in their offering.
I clearly don’t think people who buy a series X are poor! That would require a very strange definition of poor.
What I’m saying is that the Xbox usp is Gamepass, which is about subsidised gaming. This in the context of a completely separate discussion you weren’t a part of. Now I don’t expect you to read the whole thread, and I’m not giving you a full narration, so perhaps leave it there because this is taking us off topic.
To get back on topic. It’s fantastic Sony had invites before general pre orders, that cut the legs from most scalpers.
Removed - flaming/arguing
Removed - flaming/arguing
I'll skip for now. Genuinely never had that much of interest in VR. It looks cool and nice but playing games on a tv already can be distancing enough from the real world.
I almost bought PSVR 3 years ago when it was heavily discounted, but the amount of cables and complexity of it plus lack of proper PC support without a third parties work-arounds was a major factor to me. It's so much better this gen tho, but maybe next gen i will finally go for it. Heh
@Bamila yes, that’s the only slight downside, having to tell the wife I’m unreachable for a couple of hours lol. Still, perhaps the passthrough will make it slightly better in this version. At least she knows I can see her.
Ordered and cannot wait, looks tremendous for the price
@PacPern123
Yes, Sony must be taking a serious hit on this. Of course if they see it lasting the 10 year console lifetime they have to start strong.
Defo gonna spunk my cash on this but not for 6 months to a year after release.
@Dezzy70 I've already pre-ordered but I'd be all for demos if they wouldn't just get stolen by people lol (sorry, I'm jaded from 25+ years of working retail). I miss those demo days though.
@KeldorTheCursed
I wouldn’t buy without trying it and demos at shops would be a good way and would probably create more sales.
I bought PSVR and barely used it. I’ll wait for PSVR2 to flop and pick it up at a huge discount.
I don’t think scalpers will touch this. No way near the amount of demand PS5 has.
Feels like a really bad time for Sony to be releasing an expensive and niche product like this (in the midst of a global recession lol).
I really don't understand this roll out. What exactly was the point of doing a invite for pre order when in the end they've opened it up to just normal pre orders and with shops now taking pre orders, what exactly has it done??
I thought the whole point of invites was so scalpers couldn't get involved as easily, but now seems stupid.
Or am I missing the reason behind the invites
@Bez87 few mth ago Sony said they would have 2mil for launch.
demand was never there for that. so units left after invites
scalpers were never touching it.
Ordered one with the charger. Pre-ordered three games too
@Dezzy70 they did setup demo pods for psvr. It was at the Game store in Manchester so hopefully they will repeat this. I ordered mine they very same day after being blown away during my demo!
@Jaz007 true enough, although xb gave a time. 8 got mine easily at literally the first minute but I understand it got pretty bad pretty fast so my experience wasn't the normal. I checked just for science for a while and the only way to get it was the "all access" line of credit, which is certainly not a wise plan when the website keeps crashing lol. Anything is better than the PS5 launch. I was up until 4am or something fighting the best buy website with 2 laptops and a phone all hitting my account and getting different results.
Direct sale does let them control it somewhat, but I really am still against the one per household thing, and the shifty not quite lottery. I was almost tempted, but signature required which can be a pita. I'll just wait for normal retailers probably. And hopefully a price cut.
PS4 was so easy, just order it, and done. Had one from newegg and Amazon.....I haven't seen any launch console available on Amazon since then
@get2sammyb
Sorry, but there is nothing better than Taylor Swift
@TrickyDicky99
PCVR was killed because quest took over the public view. Hopefully this changes that, then the pc ports or games that are developed for both systems can support Sony by providing another avenue to release these games.
I bought a PSVR early on and bought a Oculus Rift later on as well. So, I’m a big fan of VR but it m just not that excited for PSVR2. I love the new controllers but having experienced Oculus controllers reduces the excitement for using the new PSVR controllers. Also, I’m not excited for any game they’ve shown.
I have a buddy that wants one day one, to my surprise. Though, he refuses to order one online. He said he wants to buy it in store.
It doesn’t help my excitement for VR that 2023 is loaded with great normal games that I’m looking forward too. I can see myself buying one around July of next year.
@Mysticshadow Nope! I thought that too initially, but setting up your PayPal account the right way lets you preorder it now without any proof of having the funds! Just opt for linking your bankaccount with PayPal as the primary paymethod for online shopping instead of the PP wallet or a creditcard when logged in on PayPal, and the PS Direct website will let you place your order and sends an email confirmation even if your account balance is unsufficiënt(as was the case with me..😆) Just make sure you do have the funds five days before it releases, according to the email...🙂
@stvevan fair enough, just seemed a big waste of time to sign up for to re order when we could just all of waited anyway.
@NeonPizzas
+1. My sentiments exactly. Sony do need to add some concerts, tourism apps etc to the gaming, but on the gaming side, even a couple of games are worth the extra £750 indeed.
@NeonPizzas
I don’t think the quest 3 will come close to the horsepower of a ps4, it’s just not feasible given power and weight requirements, cooling etc.
Mobile will continue to hold VR back unfortunately, and foolish people will indeed be put off by aesthetics or the thin cable. But it’s their loss.
The only legitimate argument for not jumping in is motion sickness for sufferers, or if it’s out of someone’s price range.
I’m massively excited.
I still have zero interest in the PSVR2 or any of it's current competitors.
Wake me up when humanity has reached realistic Sword Art Online/dot hack levels of VR technology.
(but with no real danger of dying or being stuck inside the games)
@NeonPizzas
The thing with q3, it’s not just about getting the right size and weight. There are fundamental issues if you build something powerful into a mobile device that’s attached to your face. Having a battery that lasts more than 30 minutes, and not having it run uncomfortably hot.
For PSVR2, I’m not too bothered about wireless. I’d rather not run the risk of lag making me vomit. An easy way to attach the cable to my ceiling would be nice though, lol.
Agree about Astro Bit Rescue Mission. It is, for me, the greatest platformer of all time. Maybe the best game of all time. I defy anyone to play it for an hour and not want a VR headset.
@NeonPizzas
Playroom better than RM?! Lol I doubt he’s played either then. And motion sick? I get motion sick, but never with Astro Bot RM, it’s basically a fixed camera after the one strange lurch right at the beginning.
You are right that the only compatible game that comes to mind is Mario 64, just for the pure sense of wonder. For me it was the level with the waves 😁
I didn’t find RM short though. It’s quite a beefy game if you 100% it. Definitely takes a good couple of dozen hours if you don’t use a collectibles guide.
I’m sure they will do their best to port it to PSVR2 despite the radically different controls. Probably release it with the sequel, a la Moss. That’s what I’m hoping anyway.
@NeonPizzas
Yes, that’s the one, just incredible.
Regarding bosses, the one that sticks out in my mind is the giant soaring bird. So many wow moments in that game. Can’t wait for the inevitable sequel. Would also be happy to go through the original again. Especially as the new port will likely have new trophies.
I didn’t really find the mechanics lacking. But then I haven’t played a Mario game since Sunshine.
As for Resi7. Great experience, but I was too much of a coward to get very far and, as you say, the grainy, blurry graphics were an issue. No such issue on PSVR2 thankfully, so I’m kind of hoping for a port of that too.
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