Though virtual reality (VR) will finally hit the consumer market in early 2016, it’s anyone’s guess as to just how well it will perform. Each and every head-mounted display (HMD) from the likes of mobile-based kits such as Gear VR to PC-run devices like the Oculus Rift will need expensive hardware on top of the HMD itself. Sony Computer Entertainment (SCE) is well aware of this, and seemingly knows that it’s PlayStation 4 HMD, PlayStation VR, might not sell well straight away. But, even if the device isn’t a hit, SCE knows that ‘someone’ will sell lots of VR systems later down the line.
SCE Head of Worldwide Studios Shuhei Yoshida said as much in a recent interview with French site Gameblog during Paris Games Week last month. “We have huge hope for VR in general,” Yoshida said. “You know, even if it’s not us, someone will sell lots of VR systems in the future. It’s a new medium, new tech. It’s not limited to games but we are launching for gamers first, primarily because you need to have PS4 to enjoy PSVR or you have to buy both, right? The headset, it’s not very, very cheap. So, naturally, our primary target when we launch next year is going to be people who already own PS4 and, luckily, there are lots of – many, many millions of people who already own PS4.”
PlayStation VR itself is set to launch in the first half of 2016, though a price and specific launch date are yet to be announced.
VRFocus will continue to follow PlayStation VR closely, reporting back with the latest updates on its progress.
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