Sony officially reveals the price and release date for its forthcoming virtual reality gaming headset, PlayStation VR, at this year’s Game Developers Conference.
Following the rumors of Sony’sPlayStation VRgettinga delay until the Fall 2016, the tech firm has now unveiled the official price and release date at GDC 2016 for its virtual reality headset, as it will be launching in October of this year at a suggested retail price of $399. Furthermore, the current president and Group CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment, Andrew House, also announced thatPlayStation VRis set to have more than 50 games available before the year is over.
Along with the PlayStation VR headset itself, the package contains a processor unit, a connection cable for the headset, HDMI and USB cables, headphones, as well as a power supply. Unfortunately, though, as confirmed bySony UK on Twitter, in order for PS VR to work in its entirety, fans will also need the PlayStation Camera, which will be sold separately for $59.99, as well as PlayStation Move controllers, and they aren’t included either.
However, everyone who goes on to purchase PlayStation VR will be able to download The Playroom in VR for free from the PlayStation Store. Similar to theNintendo Wii’s most played games,Wii Sports, The Playroom in VR will have six family-friendly mini-games. Plus, Sony announced that a PS VR-exclusiveStar Wars Battlefrontgame is in the works as well.
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Naturally, some gaming fans may be wondering what the PlayStation VR’s specifications are like. With that in mind, thanks to a tweet from Greg Miller’s official Twitter account, fans can get a glimpse of PlayStation VR’s final specs above.
Sony went on to explain that it wanted to take its time with the headset’s development to provide the virtual reality system with a lot of options for content, and a “sufficient supply of hardware.” Of course, with competing VR headsets such asOculus Rift getting a March release at $599, and HTC Vive coming out in early April for $799, it’s possible for gaming fans to gravitate away from PlayStation VR, which would put Sony behind in the virtual reality game.
Nevertheless, with PS VR’s price being far lower than its competitors, and considering the fact that Sony has a more established reputation with gaming, it’s highly likely fans will wait until the Fall for PlayStation VR to drop. Plus, sincevirtual realityis still a relatively new concept with the huge potential for failure, most gamers might simply use the Oculus Rift and HTC Vive as a litmus test in order to see if the medium can be sustained.
What do you think about the price and availability for PlayStation VR? Does it cost too much, and will its release in the Fall put it behind competitors? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
