Project Morpheus is looking a little EyeToy at the moment, isn’t it? While there are other players in the virtual reality space this time around, the whole notion of a gimmicky peripheral designed to run largely European developed games reminds us of when Sony launched its ill-fated PlayStation 2 camera peripheral, which never really had much purpose outside of party games.
However, speaking as part of a virtual reality panel at PlayStation Experience this weekend, Worldwide Studios president Shuhei Yoshida has hinted that there’s much more than minigames in production for its hi-tech helmet. “We’ve been showing experiences that are intentionally passive and easy on people to make sure that everyone who tries [virtual reality] has a great time,” he said.
He continued: “We’ve been doing lots of experiments, and discovering lots of great stuff. Some of the experiences are quite fast, and we are surprised at how we don’t get sick. [We are working on some stuff] that I can’t talk about that [core] gamers will enjoy.” The affable executive concluded that the projects that it’s got in production will keep players occupied for a “long time”, too.
It’s an interesting comment, and suggests that there may yet be more to Project Morpheus than looking at sharks in a bathysphere. Still, we remain unconvinced that titles of a traditional sense are going to remain enjoyable in virtual reality for more than a few minutes at a time. The technology’s definitely neat, there’s no doubt about that – but we’re still not convinced that it’ll ever amount to much more than a novelty.
[source youtube.com]
Comments 24
You don't seem that to excited for it
lol yeah where's the love? I still want to see how the non-prototype, consumer model will function, but I like the progress they're making, regardless
If this functions as a personal cinema where I can watch my blu rays and Netflix on as well, it's an instant buy for me. All the other stuff will be nice bonuses.
I believe VR can bring excellent experiences and I don't see why "cinematic experiences" like the Order of TLOU wouldnt fit project Morpheus with some adjustments. But it will always be games like that, where the player is tagging along and the game is holding your hand and showing you the more or less interactive movie in which you participate. But I simply dont see any use for games that require skill and twitch movements.
So the Order: yes, KillZone: no.
@get2sammyb
Strangled tagline puns ahoy!
Targeting core gamers is pointless, you wanna sell this thing then put out AAA or it will die. I'd be happy to use it just as a an alternative to a TV, if I can replace my TV then I can chuck it out my bedroom.
I actually forgot this was a thing until this article... I don't think wasting resources on it is a good idea.
I was fairly indifferent towards VR until I played Elite Dangerous on my mates Rift last week. It is definitely the future, and it will forever be one of those few moments where I was totally blown away.
I personally feel it'll just be an expensive motion sickness machine. Not sure why people would want to watch movies with this...it'll just look flat, it isn't going to magically turn the movie into a virtual environment. It's also way too close to your eyes, so keep your optometrist handy.
Kinda kills the social aspect of gaming. "My friend looks like an ass with that on his head, so are there any real games I could play?" will be the experience everyone has.
VR is the future. Im guessing Project Morpheus isn't.
@charlesnarles @SKC_Diamond I just... I just don't think it's going to take off. I'd love to be proven wrong, because I do think the technology's awesome - I'm just not convinced yet.
Did you guys miss The forest and A-drift trailers? These games look like they are built for vr-hmd's
@get2sammyb 100% agree unfortunately. Like you , very happy to be proven wrong, and I will probably buy it. But don't think that it (or Rift) will really do anything other than a short burst of interest that fades. Think Wii, think Kinect. It wont be any different, and after the first 6 months/year at most no-one will care. This will not change the industry, at least not with the current tech.
You can't change the way the body's inner ear reacts. The sickness feeling will always be an issue. Other tech is needed than just images to the eye to get over it. That's not even mentioning sweating, foggy lenses, weight etc.
It will be fun! A party trick. But not change core gaming.
It will take off as long as you can also use it as a TV and play any game regardless of functional support nonesene. It replaces a giant TV, saves space, is obviously mobile, cool as F, a lot of people want to save space and prefer to live alone, a lack of a TV is a bonus, most people game on their own, coach co op ain't supported much anymore, if your mate has a Morpheus then maybe you can vr co op instead w/e. I'm not surprised PS4 has sold so many units already and I won't be surprised when the Morpheus goes out of stock before launch.
@Bad-MuthaAdebis How many people but 3D TVs nowadays? Everyone got board having to wear glasses to watch it. This will be worse.
Don't misunderstand me. I agree that initially it will sell and well I will most likely join the parade. Just that VR with current tech will be a fad and vanish just as quickly as it initially takes off.
@Bad-MuthaAdebis I disagree that its reasons for success will lie with its additional functionality such as being able to double as a TV screen etc (although I do think it will have these features). The only way it will be successful is if it is a good product on its own. This is the issue with Vita and the reason its not selling. No one cares about its additional functionality (which Sony are so desperate to push) because the system itself is junk. VR will be successful when VR is great. Then and only then. If the VR experience is great and yet it doesn't have all these additional features that you talk about it will still sell well.
If your interested in content for vr you should check out vrfocus website
@Ginkgo @eLarkos
I want to be excited, but I don't see the point if current VR technology is nowhere near Matrix or Sword Art Online/Log Horizon/.hack level yet.
I want the gaming experience to be 100% surreal, not another gimmick.
@Bad-MuthaAdebisi haha I don't get it.
@eLarkos the huge brick wrapped around your head won't always be that, within 10 years it'll be specs or contacts, or just holographic projections direct to your eye. Point is, its just the first step. I don't think Morpheus will kill the TV, now way will it, for some people though, it will.
@Bad-MuthaAdebisi Yea I completely agree. I think VR is the future. I think the Oculus Rift is going to be massive, maybe not commercially at first but definitely in the entertainment area. I was just disagreeing on the part where you said that its extra features are what will make it a big seller. I think people actually want good products and not many people are going to buy a VR headset for its TV functions if its primary VR function is average at best. Extra features or not, VR headsets will have a big impact when VR is great.
@Bad-MuthaAdebisi lol. Great photo!
@SKC_Diamond welcome to Pushsquare, the playstation-affiliated site that actually hates on playstation more than anyone else!
So if I decide to buy the project morpheus will I be able to play any game on it and the morpheus will just act as my tv? Or will the morpheus only work with select games and make me change my mind about getting one? Can someone please answer this for me. Hopefully it will be answered sometime this year.
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