Project Morpheus

While it wasn’t a surprise to see Sony strap on its rumoured virtual reality headset during the company’s GDC keynote overnight, it perhaps was a shock to see just how hard the organisation’s banking on the device. During its presentation, the platform holder was keen to stress that Project Morpheus is not merely an accessory, but a pivotal part of the brand’s future.

Worldwide Studios president Shuhei Yoshida reinforced this point in a PlayStation Blog post published overnight, in which he noted that the Oculus Rift-esque add-on will “shape the future of games”. For those out of the loop, the unit uses a combination of PlayStation Move tracking technology and a head-mounted display to put you inside supported games.

“I have long dreamed about virtual reality and the possibilities that it brings in regards to game development,” explained the affable executive. “This new technology will deliver a sense of presence, where you as the player actually feel like you’re inside the game and your emotions feel that much more real.”

The platform holder’s been working on the unit for over three years now, with experimentation starting earnestly around the same time as its PlayStation Move project got underway. The current prototype will double as the first development kit, though the manufacturer has stressed that specifications are subject to change.

Still, the question marks regarding price and practicality remain. Do you think that virtual reality has the potential to shape the future of games, and does the Japanese giant have the clout to usurp primary competitor Oculus Rift in the space? Take a look around you in the comments section below.

[source blog.eu.playstation.com, via vg247.com]