Sony took to the stage at CES 2022 to unveil the first details about its upcoming VR headset, suitably dubbed PlayStation VR2, along with an exclusive PS VR2 experience, Horizon Call of the Mountain.
Sharing the first tech specifications for the virtual reality system and controller, the PlayStation VR2 Sense, Sony promises to take ‘VR gaming to a whole new level.’ The gaming giant says a ‘true next-gen experience’ is in store thanks to innovations achieved through developing the flagship PlayStation 5 console.
Players can look forward to high-fidelity experiences in 4K HDR thanks to OLED displays with 110- degree field of view, 2000×2040 per eye resolution, 90/120 Hz refresh rates, and foveated rendering. With simplicity in mind, PlayStation VR2 features a single-cord setup.
PlayStation VR2 Features
Here’s a breakdown of PlayStation VR2’s main features:
- Visual Fidelity: For a high-fidelity visual experience, PS VR2 offers 4K HDR, 110-degree field of view, and foveated rendering. With an OLED display, players can expect a display resolution of 2000×2040 per eye and smooth frame rates of 90/120Hz.
- Headset-based Controller Tracking: With inside-out tracking, PS VR2 tracks you and your controller through integrated cameras embedded in the VR headset. Your movements and the direction you look at are reflected in-game without the need for an external camera.
- New Sensory Features: PS VR2 Sense Technology combines eye tracking, headset feedback, 3D Audio, and the innovative PS VR2 Sense controller to create an incredibly deep feeling of immersion. Headset feedback is a new sensory feature that amplifies the sensations of in-game actions from the player. It’s created by a single built-in motor with vibrations that add an intelligent tactile element, bringing players closer to the gameplay experience. For example, gamers can feel a character’s elevated pulse during tense moments, the rush of objects passing close to the character’s head, or the thrust of a vehicle as the character speeds forward. Additionally, PS5’s Tempest 3D AudioTech makes sounds in the player’s surroundings come alive, adding to this new level of immersion.
- Eye Tracking: With eye tracking, PlayStation VR2 detects the motion of your eyes, so a simple look in a specific direction can create an additional input for the game character. This allows players to interact more intuitively in new and lifelike ways, allowing for a heightened emotional response and enhanced expression that provide a new level of realism in gaming.
Horizon Call of the Mountain
While Sony stopped short of sharing a release window for PlayStation VR2, the company announced the first PS VR2 experience – Horizon Call of the Mountain. Built specifically for PlayStation VR2 by Guerilla Games – the studio responsible for Horizon Zero Dawn and the upcoming Horizon Forbidden West – and Firesprite, Horizon Call of the Mountain casts players as a new character in the Horizon universe. The game aims to deliver a uniquely immersive experience ‘designed to push hardware technology, innovation, and gameplay.’
Sony says to expect more details about both PlayStation VR2 and Call of the Mountain soon.
