Shmunter
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Why is Sony investing in VR?
- Thread starter Men_in_Boxes
- Start date
Ammogeddon
Member
We’re not just going to wake up sometime in the future with fully fleshed out VR. It’s only going to happen with companies innovating and releasing iterative versions to market.
I think it’s great Sony released PSVR. It gave me an opportunity to try VR for the first time and it was a fairly decent experience considering the technological limitations and price point at that time.
I can’t wait for PSVR2. Will it be the finished product? No it won’t, but it’ll be a step up in performance and quality. This will be the same for PSVR3 as well.
I think it’s great Sony released PSVR. It gave me an opportunity to try VR for the first time and it was a fairly decent experience considering the technological limitations and price point at that time.
I can’t wait for PSVR2. Will it be the finished product? No it won’t, but it’ll be a step up in performance and quality. This will be the same for PSVR3 as well.
RoyalLaFlame
Banned
Comparisons to MS shows how people here see MS as a gaming company first and foremost, which is super damn wrong. MS doesn't need to invest to VR as hard as Sony does - actually MS is betting on AR. But they're not gonna focus AR on gaming, there's not point in that, instead they focus it on professionals. My company is actually working with AR implementations in the medical field, and the thing is fucking amazing.
MS owns Windows. How many headsets work with Windows? How many new players will probably come and insert themselves into the Windows ecossystem? Why should MS focus on VR when their clear focus is on AR, and down the line they can just partner with whatever VR handset maker for Windows and Xbox gaming?
If I was MS I wouldn't bother with investing super hard on VR. They have companies already working and implementing their own headsets into their Windows system, so why would they?
And to the OP - as others have said, VR is basically the future of gaming.
MS owns Windows. How many headsets work with Windows? How many new players will probably come and insert themselves into the Windows ecossystem? Why should MS focus on VR when their clear focus is on AR, and down the line they can just partner with whatever VR handset maker for Windows and Xbox gaming?
If I was MS I wouldn't bother with investing super hard on VR. They have companies already working and implementing their own headsets into their Windows system, so why would they?
And to the OP - as others have said, VR is basically the future of gaming.
Memorabilia
Member
Regardless of the exact internal motivations at Sony to keep investing in VR, I'm just super happy they are staying in it. I've been highly skeptical of the short term prospects, but long term I'm bullish and that is going to take financial and creative commitment. Given that Sony isn't close to being among the largest, most cash flush companies I'm really stoked they have the balls and creative impetus to keep at it. I hope it pays off for them in a big way. In the meantime, I'm excited as hell for PSVR2.
I think that it'll fill a slowly growing niche, but it'll remain niche. It's not the future of gaming anymore than 3D was the future of cinema.
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Banjo64
cumsessed
I think Microsoft buying Bathesda has broken some people mentally 
VR won’t become mainstream in it’s current form because the entry level cost is too high for casuals and children. £450 PS5 + £350 VR2 (£350 was the launch price of VR1). Even if you get the mythical digital PS5 it’s still a £700 total investment.
It’s messy and cumbersome; suitable for a single person perhaps, but not someone with a busy house.
I think it’ll go the same way as 3D TVs once manufacturers realise the low ceiling, but I may be wrong.
As to a Sony streaming handheld playing PS5 games and smashing the Switch, they tried this with Vita PS4 remote play and the Vita sold 12 million units world wide
VR won’t become mainstream in it’s current form because the entry level cost is too high for casuals and children. £450 PS5 + £350 VR2 (£350 was the launch price of VR1). Even if you get the mythical digital PS5 it’s still a £700 total investment.
It’s messy and cumbersome; suitable for a single person perhaps, but not someone with a busy house.
I think it’ll go the same way as 3D TVs once manufacturers realise the low ceiling, but I may be wrong.
As to a Sony streaming handheld playing PS5 games and smashing the Switch, they tried this with Vita PS4 remote play and the Vita sold 12 million units world wide
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turtlepowa
Banned
I agree, it never will be mainstream. How many Ps4 owners bought one? I think not even 5% although it droped in price really fast and how many of those 5% are actively using it? 3 of my friends own a PSVR but haven't used it since months or years.I think Microsoft buying Bathesda has broken some people mentally
VR won’t become mainstream in it’s current form because the entry level cost is too high for casuals and children. £450 PS5 + £350 VR2 (£350 was the launch price of VR1). Even if you get the mythical digital PS5 it’s still a £700 total investment.
It’s messy and cumbersome; suitable for a single person perhaps, but not someone with a busy house.
I think it’ll go the same way as 3D TVs once manufacturers realise the low ceiling, but I may be wrong.
As to a Sony streaming handheld playing PS5 games and smashing the Switch, they tried this with Vita PS4 remote play and the Vita sold 12 million units world wide
DogsAndKisses666
Banned
Quest 2 is entry level and the cost is not too high.I think Microsoft buying Bathesda has broken some people mentally
VR won’t become mainstream in it’s current form because the entry level cost is too high for casuals and children. £450 PS5 + £350 VR2 (£350 was the launch price of VR1). Even if you get the mythical digital PS5 it’s still a £700 total investment.
It’s messy and cumbersome; suitable for a single person perhaps, but not someone with a busy house.
I think it’ll go the same way as 3D TVs once manufacturers realise the low ceiling, but I may be wrong.
As to a Sony streaming handheld playing PS5 games and smashing the Switch, they tried this with Vita PS4 remote play and the Vita sold 12 million units world wide
cyberheater
PS4 PS4 PS4 PS4 PS4 PS4 PS4 PS4 PS4 PS4 PS4 PS4 PS4 PS4 PS4 PS4 PS4 Xbone PS4 PS4
Because VR is the future.
Hitchyhero
Banned
I had the original quest and enjoyed games like beatsabre, superhot and pistol whip.
But anything that required moving around properly in a 3d environment instantly made me nauseous, hot and bothered (and its not because I'm unfit
) . The bulky headset didn't help.
I see a place for VR but until those things are fixed for me I don't think I'll be returning.
But anything that required moving around properly in a 3d environment instantly made me nauseous, hot and bothered (and its not because I'm unfit
) . The bulky headset didn't help.I see a place for VR but until those things are fixed for me I don't think I'll be returning.
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DogsAndKisses666
Banned
This is incredibly silly. Thats like saying "only x amount of ppl owned Atari and i barely ever play mine. Theres no way it can grow"
In 7-10 years the number of ppl who own VR tech will be exponentially higher as development and progress continues
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turtlepowa
Banned
You don't know, i don't know. Only time will tell. Maybe it's the new shit in 5 years, maybe it's the new 3d tv.
Banjo64
cumsessed
Can you play games like Half Life Alyx on a Oculus Quest 2 without a PC that can run it?
DogsAndKisses666
Banned
I mean anyone who has tried VR does know though. Imagine trying the "atari" version as I put it and not believing in exponential growth when the technology is wireless, much higher resolution, headsets become goggles, etc. Comparing revolutionary tech to a 3d TV is ludicrous.
ANIMAL1975
Member
You haven't seen Ready Player One yet have you OP?
DogsAndKisses666
Banned
No but you said entry level. So again, Quest 2 is entry level and its affordable. It has a great entry level library in the headset.
Banjo64
cumsessed
Fair enough, looks like it’s selling better than the rest as well. If I was a single man I’d definitely buy one for porn, not games though.
TBiddy
Member
A lot of people who have tried VR think it's a fad.. or at best, a fun gimmick. Nausea is a big factor, of course, but also becoming completely isolated with headset and goggle rules out a lot of people.
wrong. ms was and is still working with vr/ar even before ps4 psvr1 was a thing.
Also the headset reverb2 is built in collaboration between hp and ms
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DogsAndKisses666
Banned
Of course it is. Its literally the entry level VR headset, theres no way to argue that lol. Wireless, easy to setup and use, respectable catalogue, comparable enough to more expensive options to make it the clear value option. Any person or family looking to try the tech is going to go the Quest 2 route. I don't look at sales numbers, but I imagine they're likely way ahead of other headsets when honestly no other VR release has been geared toward entry level in anyway like Quest 2.
DogsAndKisses666
Banned
Those people are short sighted morons. Sounds harsh, but my honest opinion. Anyone who can't see growth in a 10 year development of this sort of tech has absolutely no idea what they're talking about. Isolation is the silliest shit I ever heard when the immersion of team based shooters and a party game like Werewolves Within is much greater than platforming.
CamHostage
Member
You haven't seen Ready Player One yet have you OP?
Yes, the wise, prophetic, well-researched, and entirely realistic Ready Player One
If the future is anything like an Ernest Cline novel, God help us...
Short-sided, for sure. Think of the loooooooooooong game. It's been five years of VR being a mass market product, and the entire industry has beaten the vaulted Wii U platform. At this pace, Facebook's $2b investment will push them over the 100m mark by the year 2065. Truly, the future.
...Sounds harsh, but my honest opinion is that VR is going to need a hell of a lot more than just promise of it being "the future" before it achieves anything like exponential growth. It's been stead but slow and halting progress for a long time now, and some developers have done okay but there's no office with Ferraris in every parking spot from how rich VR has made everybody.
Maybe PS5 VR will be the platform that changes that curve? Would be great. We kind of said the same thing about PS4 VR, though. (And I was generous when I said VR was five years into being a mass-market product; VR had already had one false-start collapse when mobile VR came and went, despite Gear VR having the biggest install bas of probably any VR device so far.) So Sony will have to be even more serious about VR than they were last time if they want to more more than 5M units, and they'll have to open new VR studios, not close them, which is already too late for belated VR developers Sony Manchester and Guerilla Cambridge.
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TBiddy
Member
Let me know if you want to have an adult conversation about this.
DogsAndKisses666
Banned
Sorry but I have no problem being blunt about how I feel about anyone who thinks VR has already hit its ceiling. I don't need to converse further with you if you can't handle it.
Banjo64
cumsessed
Don’t engage in a conversation about it then?
You’ve provided an example of a stand alone headset doing modestly well, ok, great. Still, if you want to play any serious game you need to tether a VR unit to a PC or PS5. For anyone that doesn’t want to play just candy crush VR whilst getting dry bummed by Cuckerburg, there’s still serious cost implications. If you can’t see this, you’re a moron, and I have no issue being blunt about it.
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DogsAndKisses666
Banned
I provided the example you asked for. You seem to not have any idea what you're talking about when you didn't know Quest 2 is by far the entry level VR option. If I were you i'd refrain from talking so affirmatively when such basic knowledge on the subject you had no clue about, but just my opinion.Don’t engage in a conversation about it then?
TBiddy
Member
Talk about a strawman. I never said anything about a ceiling. I'm arguing that for a lot of people VR is not worth the money and is considered a gimmick. Also, it's not about "can't handle". I was hoping for a normal conversation about it, but based on your other replies in this thread, I can see you're very invested in VR.
Good for you.
DogsAndKisses666
Banned
And I never said anything about you. I addressed the crowd who labels it a "fad". They are morons. In 10 years the number of consumers will grow with the tech, just as it has with all major tech including console gaming. Not hard to understand.
If you wanna be one of these people who thinks its a "gimmick" at this very moment, ok. If you're too pea brained to think further than that, not my fault.
EDIT actually, the gimmick people are morons too imo. Tech has to start somewhere.
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SkylineRKR
Member
PS VR exceeded my expectations actually. I thought it would be another Move piece of shit but apart from the resolution the VR was solid and there was no screen door effect. I really liked it. While I own PSVR I don't see the mass market potential though. Its a very isolated experience, one you have to try to see it. You're alone in it even though you have friends over. Its a hassle to hook up, though VR is making huge improvements here. The games aren't all that. There are a few gems, but there is lots of shovelware on it. This ofcourse has to do with the fact some genres don't work well in VR and studios aren't going to go Triple A on VR projects.. yet.
Still, Rez VR might be my GOTG. Wipeout is high up there as well and Astrobot was brilliant. VR is worth it just for those.
It does amaze me that I have VR at home for like 4 years now, its something that I read about as far back as 1994, something that looked alien and impossible to get in living rooms. I never hook it up anymore though. But thats purely because of the cable hell, no HDR breakout box etc. I will likely buy the PS5 set.
Still, Rez VR might be my GOTG. Wipeout is high up there as well and Astrobot was brilliant. VR is worth it just for those.
It does amaze me that I have VR at home for like 4 years now, its something that I read about as far back as 1994, something that looked alien and impossible to get in living rooms. I never hook it up anymore though. But thats purely because of the cable hell, no HDR breakout box etc. I will likely buy the PS5 set.
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DogsAndKisses666
Banned
I hope you meant you don't see the mass market potential at the moment, otherwise these reasons are silly. Quest 2 has already developed a technology where double tapping the headset allows you to see through it (obviously looks horrible though, as is to be expected with the first iteration of such a thing). In 10 years, you'll be wearing wireless glasses that at the click of a button will bring you back to a real world view. But really just in general you're really overestimating how much "same household multiplayer" matters to people anymore lol.
Shmunter
Member
The ultimate goal is to project the image directly onto your retina. No, screens, no bulk.
Seamless vr/ar on demand from a hat, sunnies, whatever.
SkylineRKR
Member
Sure I didn't even buy a second controller for my PS5, and not for my PS4 either I think. But gaming is still something we do at times, taking turns in FPS etc. Or just to show to others, they can see what you are playing and you can show things. VR is just different, you're shut off from the outside world. I also don't like that my awareness is gone when I play it, let alone if you have kids or actually anyone running around the house. There are still lots of people sensitive to VR as well, its not like a TV that functions well enough for anyone who can see.
Yes, once VR becomes like actual glasses and other kinks are ironed out, then it might be feasible. But in the forseeable future it will stay a novelty. Unless megatons like the next GTA, Uncharted and Mario are announced as VR only. So far, its a lot of shovelware or a game like Alyx or RE7 which had it as an option on PS4 only.
UltimaKilo
Gold Member
Because VR is the future, OP.
There’s only so much you can do with flat games, sitting in front of a television.
VR, with better visuals, FOV, controls, resolution and refresh rate, will someday be the closest we’ll see to Star Trek’s holodecks.
That’s why so many companies, like Apple, are getting into the VR space.
VR still has a ways to go and is in its infancy, yet already selling like crazy.
There’s not one person that hasn’t tried VR that hasn’t had that sense of wonderment, something sitting in front of a TV doesn’t give you.
There’s only so much you can do with flat games, sitting in front of a television.
VR, with better visuals, FOV, controls, resolution and refresh rate, will someday be the closest we’ll see to Star Trek’s holodecks.
That’s why so many companies, like Apple, are getting into the VR space.
VR still has a ways to go and is in its infancy, yet already selling like crazy.
There’s not one person that hasn’t tried VR that hasn’t had that sense of wonderment, something sitting in front of a TV doesn’t give you.
ZywyPL
Banned
VR is awesome, when it is awesome, otherwise it's just meh at best. The problem VR has is that it's not a universal input/display device, not applicable to every single title out there, the exact same way Kinect and PS Move were and needed games specifically designed for them, and for that exact reason VR will also always remain as a supplement to normal gaming, not a substitute, which means it will most likely never storm the market, especially not with such a high entry price.
That being said, VR as a market is very similar to Switch, where once some level of userbase is build, due to lack of constant software supply, when a game appears once in a couple of months/few times a year, it's pretty much guaranteed that most of that userbase will buy it, so for example there's a 3MLN userbase with no new game to play in the past 3-4 months, and suddenly something new shows off, it's a given than many of those 3MLN will give it a try.
And that's why Sony is investing in it, especially tha tas oppose to other manufacturers they have a closed platform where whenever someone decides to release a PSVR game, Sony gets a cut from every single copy sold. Because it all comes down to money really, if they are making a great profit on it, they are investing in it, simple as that.
That being said, VR as a market is very similar to Switch, where once some level of userbase is build, due to lack of constant software supply, when a game appears once in a couple of months/few times a year, it's pretty much guaranteed that most of that userbase will buy it, so for example there's a 3MLN userbase with no new game to play in the past 3-4 months, and suddenly something new shows off, it's a given than many of those 3MLN will give it a try.
And that's why Sony is investing in it, especially tha tas oppose to other manufacturers they have a closed platform where whenever someone decides to release a PSVR game, Sony gets a cut from every single copy sold. Because it all comes down to money really, if they are making a great profit on it, they are investing in it, simple as that.
Burythelight
Member
Yeah they buy it.
UltimaKilo
Gold Member
And the technology is going to evolve quickly, that’s where I would worry with Sony’s strategy. Can they rely on releasing a headset every 4-5 years while Apple and others update on a yearly cycle?
Sony should, eventually, manufacture a standalone headset. Obviously mobile processing won’t be able to deliver for quite some time, but with how rapidly they’re expected to improve within the next 3-5 years, coupled with DLSS and Foveated rendering advancements, we should see a standalone device by next gen.
Kerotan
Member
Sony always invest in these sort of things for PlayStation.
PS1 had the portable version, PS2 had singstar and buzz, ps3 had move and ps4 had psvr. You could also say the psp was them dabbling in extra experiments.
They probably believe that VR will continue to grow so it will be worth the investment long term. I didn't buy psvr but if Psvr2 is a big step up over the original I'll get it.
I'm glad it's not launching until 2022. Means it will be a bigger improvement over the first and also more chance of a success as the ps5 will have a bigger install base. Also means it's closer to the inevitable ps5 pro which will give everything a nice performance boost.
PS1 had the portable version, PS2 had singstar and buzz, ps3 had move and ps4 had psvr. You could also say the psp was them dabbling in extra experiments.
They probably believe that VR will continue to grow so it will be worth the investment long term. I didn't buy psvr but if Psvr2 is a big step up over the original I'll get it.
I'm glad it's not launching until 2022. Means it will be a bigger improvement over the first and also more chance of a success as the ps5 will have a bigger install base. Also means it's closer to the inevitable ps5 pro which will give everything a nice performance boost.
ZehDon
Member
... you're presenting the PSVR as if it somehow didn't sell well. You need to correct your perception here. It's a peripheral - which famously sell like garbage - which is as expensive as the console you need to work it and involves strapping a sensory deprivation device to your head. Selling 5 million units is an unbelievable achievement given the huge amount of hurdles between the player and a game in VR.
From Sony's perspective, it's about projecting where entertainment is going to move and getting in early. This is for the same reason they gambled with sticking a Blu-Ray disc drive in the PS3. Because when that type of gamble actually works, you get a PS2 and its insane DVD push. It's a licence to print money. And unlike optical media, Sony is on the ground level here with VR; they're the most successful player in the game. Another generation or two of VR, and unless Facebook or Valve get a mainstream hardware hit, Sony will have captured the VR space almost entirely and have built up a massive amount of experience in hardware and software.
Imagine being able to make your company synonymous with TVs while your competitors are trying to push radios. That type of brand attachment could be worth trillions if/when VR goes mainstream. Sure, Microsoft will step in and buy up a VR company when the time comes - but who's buying a Surface VR from a company with limited experience in both hardware and software, when I can buy a PSVR4 for half the price with twice the quality owing to Sony's years of experience?
Klayzer
Member
To add to the conversation, game streaming isn't super popular either, but you don't here Microsoft fans calling it a fad.
jufonuk
not tag worthy
Because they realised Iwata was right. The console arms race is just going get more and more expensive. In the end there will be nothing To differentiate you from your main competitor you will just end up being so evenly matched. So try something different and new get an edge.
Yeah you can buy up studios etc but you also need something to hook people.
VR could be that next thing.
Yeah you can buy up studios etc but you also need something to hook people.
VR could be that next thing.
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RPSleon
Member
I'd guess that they saw the future of vr as a positive one. By the time its more widely adopted, their r&d of recent years should mean better prices for consumers down the road that others can't quite compete with.
Just a guess though.
Also they do alot of really niche and expensive products. I mean they do that phone that really only exists for the market who want to use a phone as a viewfinder for cameras. That's super specific.
Why they do that I do not know.
Just a guess though.
Also they do alot of really niche and expensive products. I mean they do that phone that really only exists for the market who want to use a phone as a viewfinder for cameras. That's super specific.
Why they do that I do not know.
wordslaughter
Banned
As Sony removes barriers and as the tech improves, its PSVR platform will become more and more successful.
VR tech and software are both improving quickly. It's exciting to be there on the cusp and is part of what makes it so exciting. The VR experience provided by the Quest 2 is already very appealing and it's only going to improve and improve quickly.
The PSVR2 will exist in the timeframe when VR will go mainstream. And the PSVR3 will be some crazy future shit and they will have a well established platform in which to profit.
Sony investing in VR just demonstrates that they have intelligent, forward thinking people in charge.
VR tech and software are both improving quickly. It's exciting to be there on the cusp and is part of what makes it so exciting. The VR experience provided by the Quest 2 is already very appealing and it's only going to improve and improve quickly.
The PSVR2 will exist in the timeframe when VR will go mainstream. And the PSVR3 will be some crazy future shit and they will have a well established platform in which to profit.
Sony investing in VR just demonstrates that they have intelligent, forward thinking people in charge.
cireza
Member
Nope.
But your point is ridiculous and a blatant lie. Do you even have a clue about all the things Microsoft do as a company ?
I'm nobody
Member
Vr and ar is the future
Playstation vr is great but limited
Play wipeout and resident evil and dreams all amazing
Playstation vr is great but limited
Play wipeout and resident evil and dreams all amazing
Shmunter
Member
You certainly sound offended
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