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[Neuromancer]

What if it doesn't cost you anything and they just eat the price since the BOM is pretty low? Let's say it added a hypothetical $20 to the price (because if it costs anything it will be less than $50). Would $20 keep you from buying the headset? If worse came to worse, couldn't you sell your extra camera?

If it was provided at zero cost that's fine but I maintain that that would be dumb of them to do considering they have been selling the PlayStation Camera for over 2 years now on its own. I just don't think it's necessary. Sell a headset alone and a headset with a camera. It's not that hard!

I'm not convinced... You need positional tracking to avoid simulator sickness. You'll need it for certain games to function as well. No way Sony will sell this thing lacking such a necessary component.

Controllers optional? Sure... My bet is the camera will be in the box.

Many of us already have that necessary component.

£300 for a VR headset? Fuck that. Does it require the console to work?

Is this the first you've heard of Morpheus/PSVR? Yes it requires the console.

 

[Gurnlei]

I want to believe this but can't. I expect the price to start at $400.

 

[Beautiful Ninja]

£300 for a VR headset? Fuck that. Does it require the console to work?

Yes, it needs a PS4 to work. And if you think that's expensive for a VR headset, you should go look at the price of the Oculus Rift.

Of the three major headsets right now in the VR gaming scene, the PSVR + PS4 solution is about half the price of the competitors.

 

[the-pi-guy]

No way it'll be 299. It'll be 499 visor only.

I don't see there's any way it'll be 499.

399$ max. There's no way they will put any where near as much as Oculus did. Sony seems to be using pretty standard stuff. Oculus designed a new special kind of fabric that did everything they wanted them to do. There's no way it'll be comparable.

£300 for a VR headset? Fuck that. Does it require the console to work?

Way cheaper than what some people thought it was going to be.

Oculus Rift is 600$, this is half that.
Not even including the PC required to run it.

 

[Elandyll]

No way it'll be 299. It'll be 499 visor only.

? Sarcasm ?
That would place it at a higher price than Occulus...

Reminder: Occulus, at $599, includes a camera/ sensor (likely around $50 or more), a remote ($20), an XB1 controller ($60), and an embedded headset

https://www.oculus.com/en-us/blog/oculus-rift-pre-orders-now-open-first-shipments-march-28/

To note: the Occulus headset itself is likely much more costly to produce than the PSVR, due to the dual OLED pannels, of higher specs than PSVR.

 

[ViviOggi]

Seems 100% legit

 

[JigglesBunny]

Doubt it's credible but I'd be down for the Bundle at that price.

 

[OmegaFax]

$299 is realistic if they worked down the complexity of the unit. It's basically a head mounted display with an LED and a gyroscope. A lot of this stuff they've been making for years.

 

[vpance]

I still for the life of me can't grasp why people think PSVR will be expensive. I'd honestly be surprised if the bundle actually costs more than $399.

Because of Oculus Rift. But it's a false equivalency on many levels.

There was a better reddit rumor I posted few weeks back pre OR price reveal that was accurate on $600 and said PS VR would be half.

 

[friday]

Im not sure that it will be that cheap, but I guess it is going to be like a budge version of the Oculus unit.

 

[whitehawk]

I actually see $299 as a possibility. The specs are less impressive than oculus. Off the top of my head, the PSVR only has 1 screen as opposed to 2 (at a lower res), and doesn't have headphones built in. Plus Sony has a lot of experience with manufacturing tech, while Oculus and Facebook do not.

 

[Oppo]

Now that I think more about it, I bet it will include the camera. That thing simply can't cost very much to make. Although the mic seems a bit more complicated than usual.

I don't think I buy the $300 price though. I've always said minimum $350, more like $400.

If Sony was really smart, they'd work out a mode with stereo camera input to have enhanced tracking or something. That's a reach though.

Have you thought of the practicality of that? DS4 has a light on only one side facing one direction. That's only really useful for games designed specifically for that, not as a Move replacement. Try waving the DS4 around like a magic wand, making sure to keep the light facing straight forward - not a simple task.

The majority of the games I've seen videos of require a Move. I've only seen one that uses the light on the DS4 to track its motion.

No it doesn't really work that way, I don't think. I mean the sphere on the Move is not indicating any direction on video, it is simply changing size, to help with Z tracking. In fact the DS4 light has a slight advantage here for this aided tracking as it has a particular horizon shape with the larger part signifying the conceptual "pin" of the middle of the controller. And of course the size of that DS4 light doing the same thing as the Move. Besides correcting drift and stuff. Most of the actual motion translation is coming from the internal MEMS sensors. Video is the "correction" layer. And I think there's a digital compass too. I could be mistaken but this is my understanding.

Anyways I think there will be a lot of sitting or standing games for VR using more traditional controller inputs for some time, since Oculus' momentum of development within the VR community and choice of X1 controller will foster this direction, and now Sony as well. Remember how adamant they were about not having the user disable the light on the DS4.

Stuff like Move with Dreams, I think it's super impressive and futuristic to look at, but I really don't know how big that will be. I will be all over it and pity-charge my Move wands every so often in anticipation.

Oh wait i don't really like that. So that means the camera and move controllers can't be used as base features for a game ? Isn't that a major problem ?

See above, I doubt it, I think the Move/gestural controls will be big for VR but not in the short term mass market sense, we will start with typical console controllers for a bunch of reasons – cost, political decisions, and of course the cord hanging off the back of your head preventing you from going all super saiyan on your lounge with 2 Moves.

 

[Shenmue]

? Sarcasm ?
That would place it at a higher price than Occulus...

Reminder: Occulus, at $599, includes a camera/ sensor (likely around $50 or more), a remote ($20), an XB1 controller ($60), and an embedded headset

https://www.oculus.com/en-us/blog/oculus-rift-pre-orders-now-open-first-shipments-march-28/

To note: the Occulus headset itself is likely much more costly to produce than the PSVR, due to the dual OLED pannels, of higher specs than PSVR.

The psvr comes with that box that gives it some sort of extra processing.

 

[mrklaw]

I actually see $299 as a possibility. The specs are less impressive than oculus. Off the top of my head, the PSVR only has 1 screen as opposed to 2 (at a lower res), and doesn't have headphones built in. Plus Sony has a lot of experience with manufacturing tech, while Oculus and Facebook do not.

and one screen means no IPD mechanism which looked quite complicated. And potentially no camera or controller needed for the base model.

On the other hand, they have that breakout box which will add back some cost.

I think half the price of OR might be a stretch, so don't get too attached to a $299 price just in case.

 

[TalonJH]

£300 for a VR headset? Fuck that. Does it require the console to work?

It's on the low side in comparison to other headsets. Yes, it requires the console to work.

 

[RdN]

$299 seems too low.. Specially after Rift's price point.

I'd bet it'll be $399.

 

[mrklaw]

If Sony was really smart, they'd work out a mode with stereo camera input to have enhanced tracking or something. That's a reach though.

It has a stereo camera input with a high refresh rate (240Hz) specifically for enhanced tracking


edit: oh you maybe mean like Oculus touch - using two separate cameras in front/behind for standing/turning use? Yeah thats a stretch as the PS4 only has one custom camera input.

 

[silvermember]

$100 too expensive

Don't worry I am sure in 5 to 10 years, you will be able to buy a VR headset for 199.99. Right now VR is in the innovator and early adopter phase. People in this two groups are not too concern about money and or are not cheap. They pay a price premium because they have money.

The point being, assuming VR survives right now the market isn't for you. You would fall under the Laggards.

 

[Elandyll]

The psvr comes with that box that gives it some sort of extra processing.

It doesn't, not in the way you think.

All the VR processing is done by the PS4.
The box is a hdmi splitter/remapper (to remove the distorsion for the external screen) and 3d audio.
That's probably done by a DSP and and hdmi splitter, the whole thing costing max $20-$30 imo.

 

[Oppo]

The psvr comes with that box that gives it some sort of extra processing.

yeah, but it's fancy video processing, not game style GPU or CPU processing. they do this with bespoke chips. it's all downstream.

edit: oh you maybe mean like Oculus touch - using two separate cameras in front/behind for standing/turning use? Yeah thats a stretch as the PS4 only has one custom camera input.

yeah, they could maybe have a passthrough cable on the included camera, or do something with the box, but it's a reach.

 

[mrklaw]

It doesn't, not in the way you think.

All the VR processing is done by the PS4.
The box is a hdmi splitter/remapper (to remove the distorsion for the external screen) and 3d audio.
That's probably done by a DSP and and hdmi splitter, the whole thing costing max $20-$30 imo.

but that basically cancels out any benefit of not needing a controller - I'm guessing the XB1 controller probably cost oculus about the same as that breakout box.

 

[Zok310]

Already have the ds4 and cam, would just need to pick this up @$299.
Anything over $299 and I tap out, the the absolute max I would spend.

 

[plainr_]

No way is a camera, 2 controllers, and a game a $130 premium.

The standard PSVR + camera will be $349 or less. Bank on it.

 

[Elandyll]

but that basically cancels out any benefit of not needing a controller - I'm guessing the XB1 controller probably cost oculus about the same as that breakout box.

And...?

PSVR headset itself costs maybe half as much as Occulus when it comes down to it.

 

[Durante]

I cannot believe that they would sell a HMD without the tracking hardware required for it. It's an intrinsic part of the system.

Other than that, the price point doesn't seem far-fetched, it falls in line with what you would expect based on the components.

 

[FireCloud]

I still think this will cost $399 without the camera or the controllers.
$299 would be way cheaper than what most ppl and analysts think it will cost.
If true Sony will def have the upper hand on the VR market at least for the time being.
It's up to them to provide enough quality content to influence consumers.

I however, still believe it will be priced at $399 for the headset only.

I also expect it to be closer to $399 for the headset and external processing unit without camera or controllers.

This will be interesting when they finally announce the official price. I wonder how many people will have believed this rumor and become unhinged at the higher official price.

"$399! That's way more than the $299 I'd been told!" (despite them not knowing/remembering where they had heard this rumor)

 

[TalonJH]

I cannot believe that they would sell a HMD without the tracking hardware required for it. It's an intrinsic part of the system.

Other than that, the price point doesn't seem far-fetched, it falls in line with what you would expect based on the components.

It would be more for people that already have the PS4 camera.

They sell the Move controllers without the PS Eye on PS3. They sold the Vita without the Memory Card and the PS2/PS1 without memory cards. It really isn't that big of a stretch.

I also expect it to be closer to $399 for the headset and external processing unit without camera or controllers.

This will be interesting when they finally announce the official price. I wonder how many people will have believed this rumor and become unhinged at the higher official price.

"$399! That's way more than the $299 I'd been told!" (despite them not knowing/remembering where they had heard this rumor)

I haven't checked any sites. Is the media picking up on it at all?

 

[dead monkey uk]

I cannot believe that they would sell a HMD without the tracking hardware required for it. It's an intrinsic part of the system.

Other than that, the price point doesn't seem far-fetched, it falls in line with what you would expect based on the components.

What do you want them to do, sell someone a camera that already has one? Also as said before you do not need the move sticks to use VR.

As long as they make it clear on the box that a PS Camera is required, this make perfect sense.

 

[ChronotriggerJM]

I also expect it to be closer to $399 for the headset and external processing unit without camera or controllers.

This will be interesting when they finally announce the official price. I wonder how many people will have believed this rumor and become unhinged at the higher official price.

"$399! That's way more than the $299 I'd been told!" (despite them not knowing/remembering where they had heard this rumor)

You act like you already know this isn't true lol. What if this isn't a rumor at all, and it does cost that. I for one believe the headset will be $299, the bundle will be $399. I just can't see where people are getting all these extra costs. Why do you think the PSVR will be more than $299?

 

[Portugeezer]

What do you want them to do, sell someone a camera that already has one? Also as said before you do not need the move sticks to use VR.

As long as they make it clear on the box that a PS Camera is required, this make perfect sense.

I agree, they have sold millions of cameras, no need for those people to re-purchase it.

That said, camera is also needed for the VR itself, not just Move controllers. PS VR tracking would simply not work without the camera, whilst Move is not required for many games.

 

[akidnamededdy]

What do you want them to do, sell someone a camera that already has one? Also as said before you do not need the move sticks to use VR.

As long as they make it clear on the box that a PS Camera is required, this make perfect sense.

How many people even own a PS Camera?

I don't really buy this rumor just for this reason. They aren't gonna take the risk of consumers spending $300+ bucks on something to get it home and have it not even work because it doesn't come with everything you need.

 

[Bits N Pieces]

Going to be an interesting couple of months ahead for everyone throwing their hat into the VR ring.

Will be interesting to see how the prices compare for everything, say 6 months after they launch.

 

[bmcphail2008]

No way is a camera, 2 controllers, and a game a $130 premium.

The standard PSVR + camera will be $349 or less. Bank on it.

What are you talking about? Move controllers currently have an MSRP of $50 each, the camera has an MSRP of $60. Even if the game is throwaway garbage, that bundle is still a healthy discount off of MSRP at $130.

 

[LAM09]

I hope it's £300 in the UK at the most.

 

[FireCloud]

I haven't checked any sites. Is the media picking up on it at all?

I'm afraid it has been picked up by quite a few gaming sites. Just googled "$299 ps vr" and got back quite a few hits all discussing this rumor.

You act like you already know this isn't true lol. What if this isn't a rumor at all, and it does cost that. I for one believe the headset will be $299, the bundle will be $399. I just can't see where people are getting all these extra costs. Why do you think the PSVR will be more than $299?

Sorry, I don't mean to be pessimistic but the whole "I heard it from a _____ rep" usually followed by "while in [Best Buy | Gamestop | etc.]..." is a meme that got used quite often last gen. I'm afraid I can't give any credibility to this rumor.

Sure, I'd love for the headset to cost $299. I'd jump all over that. But I don't expect that to be the case. $399 is my pain point for Playstation VR. As I already have a PS4 camera and move controllers, if the headset comes in at that price or less, I'm there day 1. But I think $299 given the tech in the device is asking a bit much.

 

[TalonJH]

How many people even own a PS Camera?

I don't really buy this rumor just for this reason. They aren't gonna take the risk of consumers spending $300+ bucks on something to get it home and have it not even work because it doesn't come with everything you need.

In March 2014, it was over 900,000. So, at least over a million.
http://www.gamespot.com/articles/ps4-camera-severely-supply-constrained/1100-6418411/

I'm afraid it has been picked up by quite a few gaming sites. Just googled "$299 ps vr" and got back quite a few hits all discussing this rumor.

Hopefully, they are all properly labeling it as a rumor.

 

[DieH@rd]

$299 is a good price for a starter bundle. I already have camera so I will aim to get that SKU.


...now if only G27 could get official support in GT Sport.

 

[Neuromancer]

How many people even own a PS Camera?

Potentially millions.

 

[{insert code here}]

I still think it's going to be $399 for the PSVR and $499 for the bundle. $299 puts this thing into impulse buy territory which would have it sell far more than the 1.5-2.0 million Sony are projecting for this year.

 

[Purple Cheeto]

$300 standalone is way cheaper than I would've imagined.

 

[ChronotriggerJM]

Sure, I'd love for the headset to cost $299. I'd jump all over that. But I don't expect that to be the case. $399 is my pain point for Playstation VR. As I already have a PS4 camera and move controllers, if the headset comes in at that price or less, I'm there day 1. But I think $299 given the tech in the device is asking a bit much.

I'm not trying to pick on you, but I'm legitimately curious as to which part of the PSVR you think will be driving up the costs. Most of the components in the PSVR are area's that Sony's already got heavy R&D invested in. I don't think they had to invest much in terms of specific engineering for VR like Oculus / Facebook have, and I can't see where in the BOM costs would be mind blowing.

 

[Vic20]

Its the perfect consumer price point for a new electronic entertainment product starting out its life = false.

 

[Arion]

is the camera mandatory for PSVR to work?

 

[Neuromancer]

is the camera mandatory for PSVR to work?

Yes.

 

[RibMan]

This is the part that makes it hard to believe.

 

[mrklaw]

How many people even own a PS Camera?

I don't really buy this rumor just for this reason. They aren't gonna take the risk of consumers spending $300+ bucks on something to get it home and have it not even work because it doesn't come with everything you need.

why is this so difficult for consumers to understand? You put a big 'PS camera required' notice on the box, you inform retail staff of the same thing and provide plenty of camera stock to sell as an accessory.

Plus the initial buyers of this are likely to be early adopters that can manage the complicated task of understanding that you need a camera for it.

Based on how stupid everyone things consumers are, you'd get lots of returns from people not realising they needed a PS4 to use it.

 

[FireCloud]

I'm not trying to pick on you, but I'm legitimately curious as to which part of the PSVR you think will be driving up the costs. Most of the components in the PSVR are area's that Sony's already hot heavy R&D invested in. I don't think they had to invest much in terms of specific engineering for VR like Oculus / Facebook have, and I can't see where in the BOM costs would be mind blowing.

This past weekend, I spent $100 on a Samsung Gear VR. That's $100 for the housing and some accelerometer sensors as the device requires a $600 cell phone to do most of the heavy lifting. Even then the experience is not all that great. I've been enjoying it but I expect more from PSVR.

I believe I've heard that Sony developed special displays for PSVR to get around a lot of the screen door and refresh rate issues others have commented on with other VR headsets. Even with my Galaxy S6 with it's high PPI display, the screen door effect is quite evident on the Samsung Gear VR. If Sony is using a special display for PSVR, I think there is probably more going on with that device than them throwing together a lot of existing tech to bring out something at a low initial entry price. $299 seems too good to be true to me.

 

[SensibleSucker]

Sorry if this has already been answered, but if I wanted to buy the standalone at that price, but then the accessories later what sort of functionality would I have from the get go. So what games/apps would work day 1,which would need the extra kit?

 

[Stike]

This is the part that makes it hard to believe.

I wouldn't think it's a stretch to say that they want to support the PSVR hardware for longer than the remaining lifetime of the PS4.

 

[mrklaw]

I'm not trying to pick on you, but I'm legitimately curious as to which part of the PSVR you think will be driving up the costs. Most of the components in the PSVR are area's that Sony's already got heavy R&D invested in. I don't think they had to invest much in terms of specific engineering for VR like Oculus / Facebook have, and I can't see where in the BOM costs would be mind blowing.

people said the same thing before the OR price was revealed. Maybe they're just trying to be cautious with PSVR? $299 would be great but I think $399 is absolutely possible too.