Topic: What is going on with PSVR

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PSVR is a 'premium' product - at least in terms of Pricing considering its more expensive than a PS4 Pro which is considered Sony's 'Premium' PS4. Its also not 'that' popular compared to other hardware (not inc other VR headsets where PSVR is, I believe, the top selling 'Premium' headset). Any store, unless they are doing a 'promotion', is most likely to have its biggest sellers as the main draw. Chances are, based on sales, that the majority of people walking into that store are not interested in investing in PSVR at this moment in time.

Realistically, if you own a PS4, you are more likely to spend money on buying a PS4 Pro than invest in PSVR. I know there are some exceptions but the numbers will show that more PS4 Pro's were sold to existing PS4 users than PSVR headsets. Maybe because its cheaper, improves virtually all your existing library of games, doesn't have 'extra' costs and has many more 'high profile AAA must haves'. PSVR headset purchases could incur extra costs - like the camera, move/Aim controller(s) - even Games as 'few' non-VR games have VR options. Also, there are 'few' (if any for some people) must haves. I am not saying that VR is a 'worthless' purchase but for the majority, the Pro represents a more enticing pack - especially if/when more and more games fail to even hit 1080p on a base PS4 so even if you only have a 1080p TV, the difference is noticeable.

Then of course, there is the benefits that Pro has for PSVR. It maybe more enticing to get the Pro first as it benefits all/most of your library instantly with no 'additional' cost. In the meantime you can wait for PSVR (headset, accessories etc - maybe even complete bundles) to drop in price, sort out the 'HDR' pass through (which they have now) and build up a library of 'must haves'. I still think though that owners of Skyrim: Special edition and a PSVR headset should be able to get a 'VR' patch for free - same with Doom, Fallout or any other AAA non-VR game that is coming to VR. That in itself could help push VR to more people and that in turn could help push more Devs into making VR games. It obviously helps more if the games are playable without VR as there is less risk - the game can be sold to all platforms regardless - like RE7 for example.

It is in a bit of a catch 22 situation - it needs games to sell - especially at that price and needs 'premium' titles - ones that could stand on their own rather than sell because of the 'novelty' factor of VR. Farpoint may be a great VR experience BUT it doesn't stand up against the other FPS games. I know you can argue that VR is only meant to be played in 'short' bursts but I still believe that they could have made a 'great' story, a great FPS game that happens to be in VR. If that meant increasing the number of checkpoints in a mission so that you can take regular breaks, so be it but in my opinion, these should be great games first and foremost that just happen to be in VR - ones you want to play once the 'novelty' of VR has worn off.

I also want to see more applications for VR. Sony has the sponsorship of Champions League so why not have show matches in VR from the perspective of being in one of the best seats in the Stadium? Why not have a VR front row ticket to E3, Gamescom, Paris, TGS and PSX Sony briefings and maybe a VR tour of their floor? Maybe even VR access to their Demo's as if you were actually able to attend. I know that you may have to play these via streaming or 'download' to your HDD - you could also just watch others play through demos, move along to others playing the demo's too - just in case they are playing the demo in a 'different' way - helpful when showing games like 'Horizon:ZD' or 'Days Gone' when you can tackle situations in your own way and makes these look less 'linear' or scripted. I know that would take 'heavy investment' - VR cameras basically everywhere and 'live streaming' virtually non-stop in some cases (like the Show floor option. It maybe a bit too far a stretch at the moment but they could still do the Sports match and briefings. OK so everyone with a VR headset will effectively be sat in the same seat but its still more functionality - something you want from something so expensive. VR museums, theatres, places of interest etc also add functionality and you could extend this to be a 'social' aspect - a group of VR owning friends visiting or attending briefings together in a VR group, able to talk together through Mics etc and experience these together adds more functionality and more reason to invest. Whilst it is seen as purely a 'games' peripheral, it is solely reliant on the support from Devs to make the games 'must haves' to justify its cost. I know we can watch Sony's pressers on youtube and 'chat' via a text box but having a 'Social VR option to feel like you are actually there with friends would be awesome and add another big dimension to PSVR. I am sure it will come eventually and we have seen VR offer a lot of non-gaming functionality in 'cheap' options - like Samsungs VR and even Googles cardboard VR options. It would be great if Sony can bring more widespread functionality to its PSVR and unique experiences that only Sony could offer.