Sony Interactive Entertainment announces global launch of PlayStation VR2

In Virtual Reality News

February 24, 2023 – Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) has this week announced the global launch of PlayStation VR2 (PS VR2), the company’s next generation virtual reality (VR) gaming headset for consumers, with features including high fidelity visuals, new sensory features and enhanced tracking.

“Providing extraordinary experiences to gamers is what we strive for at PlayStation, and today we are thrilled to start this new chapter in virtual reality gaming with PlayStation VR2,” said Jim Ryan, President and CEO, Sony Interactive Entertainment. “PlayStation VR2’s innovative technology has helped unlock the creativity of the industry’s finest developers, who have designed outstanding games that deliver a greater sense of presence for players. I can’t wait for fans around the world to experience PlayStation VR2 for themselves.”

Building upon key innovations from PlayStation 5 (PS5), Sony is hoping that PlayStation VR2 will help to usher in a new generation of virtual reality experiences that can captivate players’ senses.

Sony’s new PlayStation VR2 Sense technology combines the PlayStation VR2 Sense controller, PlayStation VR2 headset feedback, 3D Audio, and eye tracking to bring new sensory features  to gamers:

PlayStation VR2 Sense controller with haptic feedback and adaptive triggers enable players to feel and interact with games in a more visceral way, through added tension to trigger pulls or vibration effects. Finger touch detection enables the PS VR2 Sense controller to also detect the approximate location of a user’s fingers, enabling them to make more natural gestures with their hands during gameplay, according to Sony.

Headset feedback is a new sensory feature from Sony that amplifies the sensations of in-game actions from the player. Feedback is created by a single built-in motor with vibrations that add an intelligent tactile element, bringing players closer to gameplay experiences. For example, gamers can feel a character’s elevated pulse during tense moments, the rush of objects passing close to the player’s head, or the thrust of a vehicle as the character speeds forward.

3D Audio leverages PS5’s Tempest 3D AudioTech to enhance sounds in a player’s surroundings, helping to increase levels of immersion.

Eye Tracking detects the motion of a player’s eyes, providing an additional input for players by allowing them to simply look in a direction to trigger an action. This allows players to interact more intuitively in new and lifelike ways.

Visuals

Visually, PS VR2 uses an OLED display with 4K HDR video format at a resolution of 2000 x 2040 pixels per eye, providing frame rates of 90Hz/120Hz. The device offers a 110-degree field of view, as well as foveated rendering.

Tracking

PlayStation VR2 features inside-out tracking, which tracks the player and the controller through integrated cameras embedded in the VR headset. The player’s movements and the direction they look at are reflected in-game without the need for an external camera.

Design

According to Sony, the PlayStation VR2 headset is slightly lighter compared to the first PlayStation VR headset, even with the addition of new features, and weighs approximately 560g (compared to the original PS VR’s weight of 600g). PS VR2 also includes an integrated vent for extra air flow while playing, and a lens adjustment dial for changing IPD settings (Inter Pupillary Distance – the distance between a user’s eyes) to optimize the view. Finally, PS VR2 will use a single cable connected directly to a PS5 console, meaning players can immediately jump into VR experiences.

PlayStation VR2 games and content

According to Sony, there are currently more than 100 titles in development. PlayStation VR2 is launching alongside a diverse portfolio of games from PlayStation Studios and third-party partners, including Horizon Call of the Mountain, Gran Turismo 7, Star Wars: Tales from the Galaxy’s Edge Enhanced Edition, and Resident Evil Village.

Sony noted that beyond the initial launch date, additional titles set to launch for PlayStation VR2 include The Walking Dead Saints and Sinners Chapter 2: Retribution, Creed Rise to Glory: Undisputed Edition, Tetris Effect, Firewall Ultra, and more. 

PlayStation VR2 pricing

The PlayStation VR2 headset and included PlayStation VR2 Sense controller is now available for purchase through PlayStation’s online store at a recommended retail price of USD $549.99 / EUR €599.99 / GBP £529.99 / JPY ¥74,980 (prices in GBP, EUR and JPY include taxes).

For more information on PlayStation VR2, click here.

Image credit: Sony Interactive Entertainment

Full PlayStation VR2 specifications

Display method​	OLED
Panel resolution​	2000 x 2040 per eye
Panel refresh rate​	90Hz, 120Hz
Lens separation​	Adjustable
Field of View​	Approx. 110 degrees
Sensors​	Motion Sensor: Six-axis motion sensing system (three-axis gyroscope, three-axis accelerometer)​ Attachment Sensor: IR Proximity sensor
Cameras​	4 cameras for headset and controller tracking​ IR camera for eye tracking per eye
Feedback​	Vibration on headset
Communication​ with PS5	USB Type-C
Audio​	Input: Built-in microphone​ Output: Stereo headphone jack

Full PlayStation VR2 Sense controller specifications

Buttons​	[Right controller]​ PS button, Options button, Action buttons (Circle / Cross), R1 button, R2 button, Right Stick / R3 button​ [Left controller]​ PS button, Create button, Action buttons (Triangle / Square), L1 button, L2 button, Left Stick / L3 button
Sensing/Tracking	Motion Sensor: Six-axis motion sensing system (three-axis gyroscope + three-axis accelerometer) Capacitive Sensor: Finger Touch Detection IR LED: Position Tracking
Feedback ​	Trigger Effect (on R2/L2 button), Haptic Feedback (by single actuator per unit)
Port	USB Type-C port
Communication​	Bluetooth Ver5.1​
Battery​	Type: Built-in Lithium-ion Rechargeable Battery​