The head-mounted virtual reality headset, the Oculus Rift is probably one of the most exciting bits of videogame technology in recent memory. Sony worldwide boss Shuhei Yoshida reportedly tried it out, and was pretty pleased with it; and now it seems Sony’s getting in on the VR bandwagon.
Instead of adding support for the nearly mature Rift though; it seems that Sony wants to develop its own virtual reality headset for the PlayStation 4. Eurogamer’s sources say that the PlayStation VR headset “will work similarly to Oculus Rift” and has been demoed within Sony, working with Evolution Studios’ DriveClub, allowing players to look around the cockpit of a car.
The interesting bit here is that Evolution houses the internal Sony Worldwide Studios Stereoscopic 3D team that was responsible for the big (and spectacularly failed) 3D gaming push, adding a bit of credence to the rumour.
Making it even more plausible is the fact that Sony already has a few consumer-level head-mounted 3D displays in production – though they’re rather expensive, and apparently heavy and uncomfortable – very much unlike the Rift. The super-secret device was apparently supposed to be demoed at Gamescom, but Sony pulled out at the very last second, leaving every single attendee pregnant…
…with anticipation for the peripheral’s apparent unveiling next year.
Last Updated: September 4, 2013
|
|
|
|---|---|
| was reviewed on PC | |
Francois Knoetze
September 4, 2013 at 08:37
not surprised though. they have been working on their VR tech for quite some time. Remember reading an article in 2011 about it.
Skyblue
September 4, 2013 at 08:39
“but pulled out at the very last second, leaving every single attendee pregnant…”
I LOL’ed hard at that!
Seriously though, Sony have this nasty ass habit of bringing out peripherals that only work on their hardware which is a dumb move as any PC gamer can attest to. I’d rather have a single device to use on multiple platforms as it brings down the cost and the clutter. Also they keep wondering why they’re losing money but sink cash into R&D for a device that is already being developed and will need their platform to be successful, duh.
Brian Murphy
September 4, 2013 at 17:41
Which peripherals? I know that Move has PC tools, I know there are drives for the Eye (Same website has a toolset for Kinect), and the DS3, sure they’re not Sony authored, but they’re pretty damn legit at this point. I use the Eye as a cam on my PC constantly, likewise with the DS3. They even have rumble support.
This device may even have Sony support on the PC side, just because it’s going to be an even more niche audience at first. So there best bet is to release on PS4/PC. Either way, it’ll still have drivers/tools developed for it, Sony’s involvement or not.
Skyblue
September 4, 2013 at 18:06
I also have the drivers for the Eye cam installed and also use it on occasion but as you have stated, these are not Sony authored drivers. As for the DS3 argument, for ease of use you cannot beat the X360 controller on PC.
As for my point about losing money, Sony are have probably spent millions on this project even though OR was announced some time ago and their consumer electronics division has been leaking cash for years now.
Brian Murphy
September 4, 2013 at 23:33
If it was about ease of use, I wouldn’t be a PC Gamer as well as a console gamer 😉 I don’t mind spending the time to set things up the way I want. And really, the reason I’d be connecting a controller to PC is for fighting games, and as we all know the DS3 is vastly superior in that dept.
I hear what you’re saying though, and it’d be nice if they did it. But, I’m perfectly fine with the community developed tools since they’ve covered pretty much all the bases at this point.
ALKi1234
September 4, 2013 at 08:40
Considering what everybody is saying about the rift,i’m hoping and praying it’s true.
Pieter Kruger
September 4, 2013 at 08:41
Bad move timing wise. OR beat them to the punch and they should just drop it and support OR or I see another “smart watch” fiasco coming. Sony target market is also not the right market for this as these VR headsets don’t come cheap! Cool it Sony, focus on the gamers and games…for now.
Rock789
September 4, 2013 at 08:51
That could be pretty damn shweet! Bring it on Sony… Although yeah, it’ll be pretty pricey!
Robert Infy Hart
September 4, 2013 at 08:59
Probably just going to strike a deal with Oculus and release a PS4 version with the Oculus tech inside of it.
Skyblue
September 4, 2013 at 09:02
Nah, Sony love losing money on new tech so they’ll probably go it alone on this ;p
Kromas
September 4, 2013 at 09:30
You are correct sir. Sony does not want the rift or their tech.
Brian Murphy
September 4, 2013 at 17:44
I think they just like to gamble, not necessarily lose money. They gambled on CD, and DVD, that worked out pretty well. Sometimes gambles don’t pay off lol 🙂
OVG
September 4, 2013 at 09:04
Gavin seemed to love the OR but said it is just not quite there yet. Maybe with SONYs wealth we will get something better. It must have blown Yoshida’s socks off.
TiMsTeR1033
September 4, 2013 at 09:11
I wouldnt be suprised if its Sonys way to take on the Kinect 2.0 and say “hey does your console do this?” I hope they make a great piece of tech but either way gonna cost and arm and a leg
RinceThisandCochon!
September 4, 2013 at 09:16
I want a Final Fantasy game in VR, imagine having a Guardian Force standing beside you!
OVG
September 4, 2013 at 09:18
What is Final Fantasy?
Just give me flight SIM
Umar Final Fantasy 15 Hopeful
September 4, 2013 at 09:22
You know that Social Mobile game that smells like feces
OVG
September 4, 2013 at 09:23
The one that had a failed re-release because the release sucked moogle pom poms?
Umar Final Fantasy 15 Hopeful
September 4, 2013 at 09:24
Yes yes that one, with the new DirectX 11.2 boobies
OVG
September 4, 2013 at 09:26
Oh, you are talking about the EMO one with pink hair, the one a hamster can play by just jumping on the x button.
Umar Final Fantasy 15 Hopeful
September 4, 2013 at 09:29
Exactly. it is exactly that one. that one which critics has compared to a straight line
OVG
September 4, 2013 at 09:31
It did have Hope 😛
Guest
September 4, 2013 at 09:35
Sorry, have to jump in here… Haven’t used her in a while, in the sense the casual Japanese market won’t be using the bouncy boobs as ‘thought’ material…
RinceThisandCochon!
September 4, 2013 at 09:37
Sorry, have to jump in here… Haven’t used her in a while, in the sense the casual Japanese market won’t be using the bouncy boobs as ‘thought’ material… (god dammit, pic won’t upload! LE SIGH!)
RinceThisandCochon!
September 4, 2013 at 09:32
No, space sim! “Stay on target”!
OVG
September 4, 2013 at 09:35
FUUUUUUUUUUCK YES!!!
Something with Polygons to speed up the response time. Star Fox 3D.
RinceThisandCochon!
September 4, 2013 at 09:38
Now you’re talking ‘Ribbit’
TiMsTeR1033
September 4, 2013 at 09:05
Imagine playing F1 games with this! See it now people throwing up while testing it….
RinceThisandCochon!
September 4, 2013 at 09:16
Damn it! Being this to reality people! The world needs to be able to sit down to ‘dinner’ with Dianna Troy when we want to! I mean…
Kromas
September 4, 2013 at 09:29
I prefer Seven or T’Pol.
RinceThisandCochon!
September 4, 2013 at 09:39
T’Pol FTW! Though I don’t remember any episodes with sexual fantasies being played out in Voyager or Enterprise (on the holodeck that is)
Kromas
September 4, 2013 at 10:00
She can Pon farr me all night long!
Sageville
September 4, 2013 at 09:48
Yet again you pull Dianna Troy out of the Star Trek bag…..
I’m worried dood, she’s like the old wrinkly auntie of the Star Trek genre, where you are supposed to perve over 7 of 9 of Kromas’s T-Pol like the rest of us.
RinceThisandCochon!
September 4, 2013 at 09:52
Dude, you better hope OVG doesn’t read that! He’ll open up a can of RAGE/WHIPASS on you!
Sageville
September 4, 2013 at 10:03
I will sit quietly in the lotus position and let the RAGE wash over me like a river…… then I will FAP to the CORRECT Star Trek pervings i.e. NOT some ancient tannie that probably belongs on the set of My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3.
RinceThisandFINALLYlvUP!
September 4, 2013 at 10:05
Hhaah! I was going ol school. If I could choose, I’d probably go for Jadzia Dax…
Sageville
September 4, 2013 at 10:21
Hmmm, acceptable alternative.
Pieter Kruger
September 4, 2013 at 09:24
Do these VR headsets come with furniture replacement policies and kots guard for your shoes?
Tidycpc
September 4, 2013 at 09:24
yeah…think it will end up the same as the 3D games…
Ultimo_Cleric N7
September 4, 2013 at 09:36
Cant help but feel this craze will be like the “3D” tech screen fro m2 years ago.
A fad.
Maxiviper117
September 4, 2013 at 11:56
I disagree, Oculus Rift is the only VR device that seemed to have hit the nailed very squarely on the head, as every single person thats tried it has come away very impressed, 3D tv is a gimmick, OR is a game changer.
Just imagine for a second, playing your favourite game with the OR where almost your Entire field of view is filled by the screen and in much better 3D than traditional 3D Tv’s since unlike traditional 3D, this device gives a screen for each eye.
RinceThisandCochon!
September 4, 2013 at 09:39
Dammit, Janet/Geoff, we’ve exhausted our Rocky Horror references already!
Devourer of Small Bunnies
September 4, 2013 at 10:13
Im still pretty much on the fence for the whole VR thing. I call its another “3D” fad. Sure implemented in certain ways for certain games, very very rad. I ‘ve seen the vids and all that jazz, but I have simply got to try it for myself before I can really side either way.
For now, Ill keep my eyes on 4k and curved screens rather. Seems less intrusive and a better direction to be running in.
polo
September 4, 2013 at 10:34
you want to learn more about Sony http://xxtrasize.blogspot.com/
th3SiCn3ss
September 4, 2013 at 10:54
“Sony pulled out at the very last second, leaving every single attendee pregnant…
…with anticipation for the peripheral’s apparent unveiling next year.”
LMFAO…….well done to you sir, well done
Joey
September 4, 2013 at 18:11
I doubt the PS4 will have the GPU capable of the 120fps needed for good 3d. Occulus at least has PC hardware which is already pushing 120hz for some people.
Killer_Kopy
September 5, 2013 at 04:50
Oculus Rift is open source. I doubt the Sony one will be.