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[Galava]

When Oculus Rift launched the Kickstarter campaign everyone was hyped, people threw money at it until it became a thing and later bought by Facebook.

I can see why Facebook wanted to invest in this new technology, VR can become a huge social phenomenon, BigScreen is a great example of how users can share a “place” to watch movies, shows or just play together.

Later, Valve, in collaboration with HTC with the Vibe. Ok, more competition, nice. Valve is known to invest in crazy things(or not-so-crazy, just new stuff) and try new things, such as the SteamBox, the Steam controller…

VR is a new tech that we still don’t know how it’s going to turn out. It might flop, or it might be the best thing ever, or just become a gimmick. Right now, most of the “games” that are out for VR seem like just tech-demos or 10 minute games.

VR is still on a “what is this” state in the eyes of the general public and it’s a very hard-to-promote device, because you have to try it to know what it’s all about. Oculus and Valve+HTC invested in this, trusted the tech and are willing to take the risk (Oculus with the initial support of the community through Kickstarter). Sony's move of investing in VR seems rushed.

Did Sony really have to make an investment in a product that we still don’t know how it’s going to turn out? Why not wait and see how gamers adopt this tech on PC and then release a PS5 with VR in mind from the beginning?

 

[Peltz]

Consumer electronics company is making a consumer electronics device. It's what they do.

They wanted to be one the first names associated with the new medium.

 

[philion]

it's da future.

 

[PodcastFips]

And they already had a head start over their competition in regards to ergonomics due to their HMZ series.

 

[Harlequin]

And this is the mentality that brought us annual Assassin's Creed copy-paste jobs: Avoid risks at all costs.

Is it a risky move on Sony's part? Yes. But that's how it works. If you keep playing it safe forever, at some point someone else who took a risk with something new is going to come along and make you look old. The question you should be asking isn't "what if VR isn't going to take off?" but "what if it is and Sony didn't invest in it?"

 

[WhoaIsThatMars]

Did Sony really have to make an investment in a product that we still don’t know how it’s going to turn out? Why not wait and see how gamers adopt this tech on PC and then release a PS5 with VR in mind from the beginning?

Are the other devices $400 and compatible with a console 40 million (not sure exactly how many) people already own?

 

[Shrike_Priest]

They wanted to be first in the console space with VR. They could design to a single spec. They wanted PR for PS4. They're a company which produces both display technology and games. They had an HMD series.

Honestly, it makes nothing but sense.

 

[*Splinter]

Why wait? It's a safe bet that there is some money to be made there, or even a lot of money if VR takes off.

Having a VR option that is significantly more accessible than PC while still being high quality (compared to the mobile offerings at least) gives VR a much better chance of being a success, and if that does happen Sony will be in the prime position to reap the rewards.

 

[Floody]

I don't think anything drove them to it, Sony just like to have their eggs in a lot of baskets. They can benefit greatly from VR being a success and have the resources to help make it one.

 

[kyser73]

So judging by your OP - especially the bit about 'rushed' you haven't really looks that deeply into Sony's VR development?

The earliest prototypes they had for a VR device was shortly after Move launched, so we're looking at early experiments with what would become PSVR at least 5 years ago. They had two commercial HMDs and showed concept models for VR glasses before then too.

There's a really great interview with Marks and the PSVR design team covering how it came together, how as a project it has involved many of Sony's R&D and product teams. It's probably the very opposite of rushed, in fact.

They're also a CE manufacturer with a history of great industrial design (and some shot stuff too!) and innovation, so this is very much within their 'corporate DNA'.

 

[Hasney]

I'm pretty sure they were already looking into VR before Occulus happened, that just gave a good template for them to follow in combination with their existing HMDs. This isn't rushed, this is just a point where they can get consumer hardware down to enthusiast affordable prices.

Risks are good if it's affordable. It's not going to tank the Playstation even if it's a bigger failure than the Virtual Boy somehow (spoiler: it won't be). Appearing as the most forward-looking console manufacturer is also likely a good thing.

 

[forknknife]

VR is inevitable, it can't be a fad, you could only argue that it is not yet fully baked for mass market but, eventually, it will be something everyone will use and have in their homes. Every tech company should get into VR, the problem is that that's not an option for all. Sony however is in the best position of all 3 and i bet they'll do very good with it. Only thing I'm not sure is how long they should have it as a PS4 attachment.

 

[Galava]

Maybe it's just the feeling I get from them, it's like "I want to get on that train that we don't know where it is headed too". I'm not saying it's a bad decision, but a very risky one to be made blindly.

 

[Camp1nCarl]

Sony has the opportunity to tap the casual market like the Wii did with this technology. And with such a large user base already Sony most likely assumed the hardcore console VR fans would already sell well enough to make this project a reality. Definitely a few more factors at play too, but you do have to commend them for taking the risk to be first for console VR (not counting Virutal Boy lol)

 

[Linkyn]

It's definitely a gamble, but it meshes well with their gaming business. Even if the PSVR doesn't take off, there's still room for the technology in one or more of their other branches. In general, as a multimedia provider / electronics manufacturer, trying to get in early and secure a foothold has a lot of appeal. Right now, they have an opportunity to firmly position their VR brand in case the medium does become a hit, before their main competitors jump in and possibly overcrowd the market.

 

[schaft0620]

Zuckerbers $1b investment into Oculus

VR is inevitable, it can't be a fad, you could only argue that it is not yet fully baked for mass market but, eventually, it will be something everyone will use and have in their homes. Every tech company should get into VR, the problem is that that's not an option for all. Sony however is in the best position of all 3 and i bet they'll do very good with it. Only thing I'm not sure is how long they should have it as a PS4 attachment.

How can it not be a fad? Its absolutely a fad.

 

[Wollan]

VR can be a transcending experience. Playing The Lab on my Vive was the biggest technology shock I've had since Doom/Toshinden/Mario 64 introduced 3D polygonal graphics in the 90's. I really enjoyed playing through Chronos and Luckey's Tale on my Oculus Rift. It lifts 'normal' games to new heights.
And it's looking like Sony is creating a killer new ip with RIGS. Day one.

 

[TTP]

Sony's Magic Lab experiments with tech stuff all the time even if they are not asked to by Sony higher ups.

A VR headset was among the tech stuff they were experimenting with in 2012 even tho Sony higher ups didn't ask them to.

At some point Palmer + Oculus Rift + Facebook happened.

Sony higher ups went like "Yo, Richard (Marks), do you happen to have some VR stuff? Looks like it's going to be huge and we don't want to miss out"

Richard: "You are lucky..."

 

[Xenoblade]

They invested in it for the same reason you will invest in it if you haven't already: it's incredible.

 

[Gormless Noodle]

Sony just copies things that seem like they could be a hit, to maintain their market leader position. It's the same with PS Move and the Kinect-like camera and such. It's just for the sake of making sure they're there if shit really hits off I think.

 

[Elandyll]

Maybe it's just the feeling I get from them, it's like "I want to get on that train that we don't know where it is headed too". I'm not saying it's a bad decision, but a very risky one to be made blindly.

As already said, Dr Marks/ Sony were developping a prototype -before- the Rift was officially a thing, and they admitted knowing so at Occulus afaik.

It makes sense from a display/ tech company that is producing a gaming console.

 

[get2sammyb]

I remember way before Datura came out they had this wacky demo where you strapped Move controllers to your head and stuff. I think they were experimenting with it and already thought it was cool. Then the whole Oculus thing blew up and they doubled down on it.

Smart.

 

[pastrami]

Ah yes, waiting for iPhones and Android phones to dominate the smartphone market worked so well for Microsoft.

And Sony had already begun dabbling in VR before Oculus Rift's kickstarter.

http://www.siliconera.com/2012/03/1...ystation-move-powered-virtual-reality-helmet/

Edit: And here's a great article about the genesis of PSVR at Polygon: http://www.polygon.com/2016/3/9/11174194/the-making-of-playstation-vr

 

[gunslikewhoa]

Sony began working on VR around 2010. They announced Project Morpheus before the Facebook - Oculus deal. The only reason the DS4 has the tracking light is for VR. PSVR was coming this gen whether Oculus came about or not. This is not Sony jumping on the VR bandwagon or something. This has been in the works for a pretty long time.

 

[SomedayTheFire]

They've been building HMD's since 2011...

 

[Fraxin]

Sony just copies things that seem like they could be a hit, to maintain their market leader position. It's the same with PS Move and the Kinect-like camera and such. It's just for the sake of making sure they're there if shit really hits off I think.

The eye toy existed before even the Xbox 360 was announced let alone kinect.

 

[marc^o^]

it's da future.

and a tsunami at that.

 

[Doffen]

VR porn.

 

[SomTervo]

Remember it's not just good for games. On Playstation, as well as Oculus etc, it will probably be used for streaming services in the near future.

I think there's only one core, true factor which led to the broad, rich proliferation of VR as we have it today.

People with money trying it out for themselves.

Because until you try out VR personally, you can't imagine how powerful it is and how much potential it has. It's a staggering revelation now that computers are powerful enough to output good enough images and technology is good for near-1:1 control/movement.

So imagine when somebody with money - a Sony C-level executive or Mark Zuckerberg for instance - tries out this new thing and it blows them away. It is so powerful and so next-level that they know it will sell – and the applications are so broad it would have a wide install base as well as a high level of interest.

TL;DR: the technology is so good it's selling itself. There's no particular ulterior motive, I don't think, beyond that.

How can it not be a fad? Its absolutely a fad.

Have you tried it?

 

[Kysen]

People forget Sony was always a hardware manufacturer first. Facebook is only interested in VR to put ads in front of your eyes. Sony just wants to sell hardware.

 

[Qurupeke]

I understand why, but I still find it weird that they're launching VR and Neo probably on the same year.

 

[kyser73]

Sony just copies things that seem like they could be a hit, to maintain their market leader position. It's the same with PS Move and the Kinect-like camera and such. It's just for the sake of making sure they're there if shit really hits off I think.

You mean the camera that ra a development of the EyeToy on PS2, at least 5 years prior to Kinect?

Sony's main crime isn't copying its failing to really get behind a lot of their innovative tech & someone else picking it up and running with it.

 

[madmackem]

They wanted to be first in the console space with VR. They could design to a single spec. They wanted PR for PS4. They're a company which produces both display technology and games. They had an HMD series.

Honestly, it makes nothing but sense.

This Sony is a consumer electronics firm, VR has the ability to push more than just games with media etc, if Sony weren't interested VR might die on the vine again there needs to be a headset you don't need a powerful PC to run that isn't toss away like mobile VR. VR needs a company like Sony and if VR takes off this time Sony needs VR.

 

[Zaptruder]

Because it's fucking awesome, and very obviously so when you actually start using it?

Like if this thing didn't exist, and then you had the experience in house, it's like... OH WOW! THIS IS AMAZING! THIS COULD BE THE FUTURE!

Why would you not invest? Is every corporate head supposed to be insanely short sighted, focused on existing and established trends?

Let's not confuse the average executive's lack of competence and frequently passion for one's job make you believe that, that occurs in every instance, across every company.

 

[madmackem]

Sony just copies things that seem like they could be a hit, to maintain their market leader position. It's the same with PS Move and the Kinect-like camera and such. It's just for the sake of making sure they're there if shit really hits off I think.

Waaaaaat, you've got you're timelines all mixed up mate.

 

[DunpealD]

Sony's Magic Lab experiments with tech stuff all the time even if they are not asked to by Sony higher ups.

A VR headset was among the tech stuff they were experimenting with in 2012 even tho Sony higher ups didn't ask them to.

At some point Palmer + Oculus Rift + Facebook happened.

Sony higher ups went like "Yo, Richard (Marks), do you happen to have some VR stuff? Looks like it's going to be huge and we don't want to miss out"

Richard: "You are lucky..."

This story in short:

Polygon: The making of PlayStation VR

 

[StuffRuff]

I think Sony are generally pretty good at bringing tech to the masses in an easy to consume way.

Weren't they one of the first pushing 3D with the PS3 and that weird Sony PS3 3D Monitor/TV combo? Ok 3D never really went anywhere in a big way but Sony still made it readily available.

 

[DistortionOfReality]

There was actually an article not long ago with one of the lead directors for PSVR That pretty much answered your question. It was far from 'rushed', they had started prototyping a couple of years before the Oculus kickstarter and went through many iterations before the product we see today. Also from what I remember Sony basically have little R&D project for all sorts of things, and at the prototyping stage they continue with the stuff they believe to have legs and value. Will try to find the article


EDIT: this has already been mentioned, the polygon article above. Late to the party over here

 

[Vanille]

Sony just copies things that seem like they could be a hit, to maintain their market leader position. It's the same with PS Move and the Kinect-like camera and such. It's just for the sake of making sure they're there if shit really hits off I think.

Yeah, you don't know what you're talking about.

 

[Juanivan]

VR gonna be a great success like 3D.

IN 3D!

 

[Occam]

Sony is a technology company, it's what they do. Sony started working on VR long before Oculus Rift.
Oculus Rift's success probably caused Sony to speed up development.

/thread

 

[HandsomeCharles]

I believe they decided to get into it because it was the "Flavour of the Month".

Sorry guys, I don't see any real future for VR. I think it's just a fad. (Quote me on that if I end up being wrong)

 

[nephilimdj]

They already had a VR set, HMZ series

They already did most of the R&D, they just had to engineer it use the PS4 instead of the VCR sized box it came it.

 

[Occam]

I believe they decided to get into it because it was the "Flavour of the Month".

Sorry guys, I don't see any real future for VR. I think it's just a fad. (Quote me on that if I end up being wrong)

Why wait, I'll quote you right now because you are wrong.

 

[[boots]]

VR gonna be a great success like 3D.

IN 3D!

If you mean like the transition from 2D sprites to 3D polygons, I agree wholeheartedly

 

[HandsomeCharles]

Why wait, I'll quote you right now because you are wrong.

Well, as of yet not all of the VR platforms are released/readily available, so I don't think it's fair to draw a conclusion one way or another. From my perspective I wouldn't even call it until at least a year or so after the final one launches.

 

[convo]

They wanted to be first in the console space with VR. They could design to a single spec. They wanted PR for PS4. They're a company which produces both display technology and games. They had an HMD series.

Honestly, it makes nothing but sense.

Yeah they were doing products very similiar to the PSVR anyway, so going a step beyond was natural.

 

[Turin Turambar]

How can it not be a fad? Its absolutely a fad.

What definition of "fad" are we using?

 

[kraspkibble]

I'm not sure why but I'm glad they did. Having the Rift/Vive and PSVR will give VR a better chance of success. I don't agree with the idea of waiting to see if it takes off before entering the market. Sony had the ability to make it so why not release their own version and help it take off? Microsoft is the one who seems to be waiting to see if it takes off. I know they are working on Holo lens but that isn't really aimed at gaming as far as I know.

 

[HandsomeCharles]

What definition of "fad" are we using?

I would say that it will be a "fad" if there is initial hype/sales followed by a severe drop or abandonment of the platform with 2-3 years. Similar to Kinect's life.

Essentially, if VR does not become the equivalent of a "new platform" that has a long life in the Industry.

That's my definition anyway