It seems clear at this point that Sony will not be releasing a second PSVR headset to go next to the launch of the PS5 later this year.
The tech giant will have his hands busy getting the market to accept just one expensive new Christmas gift, for starters. But recent breacrumbs have fallen on the track that Sony is taking to VR on PS5, however, we have wondered if the company can take a different approach to its next-generation release. Specifically, we are becoming increasingly interested in the idea that the company could release new VR controllers before a new headset.
Time to move on
On September 15 this year, Sony’s Move controllers will be 10 years old. When PS5 launches, they will be two generations removed from their original console.
I will not spend much time getting rid of the insults on the Move controller. Even in 2020, PSVR will remain my favorite headset and VR ecosystem, but the limited tracking, confusing button layout of the Move and lack of analog sticks hang like a weight around the neck of the headset. The system is in dire need of an upgrade.
In fact, as excited as we are for the PSVR 2 headset itself, it represents just one of three areas that Sony needs to take steps for VR on PS5. Another is processing power, a problem that has been solved with the introduction of the new console. Improved controllers are the last piece of that puzzle. Of course, you would assume that this would arrive next to PSVR 2, but Sony may have reason to jump the gun a little earlier.
Hitman Hints
Last week of PSVR support Hitman 3 sparked a lot of speculation in the PlayStation community.
Strangely enough, neither Sony nor developer IO Interactive has yet confirmed on which platforms Hitman’s PSVR support will be available. Hitman 3 is coming to both PS4 and PS5 in January 2021, but it would be a really bizarre situation if the PSVR support was limited to the PS4 version of the game, and yet Sony has not yet been able to confirm new PS5 games the old headset support. This week we found out that the game does not support the Move motion controllers and instead uses the DualShock 4, but either way, the existence of PSVR compatible PS5 games means that the point still stands.
Follow R&D
At the same time, we have been closely following Sony’s progress with new VR controllers through published patents and research videos. The results, so far, are promising.
Most recently, the video above – produced by Sony’s own PlayStation division – showed a device with finger tracking features similar to Valve’s Index Controller. The device can detect when the player has their fingers around the grip of the controller, and mirror this with a pair of virtual hands. Patents meanwhile also point to improved ergonomics and, yes, analog sticks.
Plus, PS5’s new DualSense controller has enhanced haptic feedback and rear triggers that pick up resistance as they pull. These are features that are also found in patents of VR controller and would certainly make sense for second-generation Move controller.
Why wait?
While marketing a new, $ 300 ++ headset to go with your likely $ 400 + new console may not be out of the question this Christmas, a new pair of $ 100 controllers for the existing PSVR fanbase seems like an easier sale.
So far we know that PS5 supports old PSVR controllers – including Move, DualShock 4 and Aim – only for backwards compatible PS4 games. You can not use them for new PS5 games, but as Sony is will support new games like Hitman VR, there has to be some sort of solution. New, future-proof motion controllers mark us as the most logical avenue.
Not to mention the knock-on effect of reducing the cost of PSVR 2 even when it finally arrives; a basic package that includes only the headset could reduce costs.
The future awaits
This is of course all speculation at the moment in time, but with the clock down to 2020, we are sure to learn more about Sony’s PSVR plans in the very near future. With the wait for PSVR 2 likely to go on for a while longer, sending out new controller sooner rather than later will be a great way to increase our appetites.
