It’s been fizzling, hasn’t it? For just over two years, Sony did an incredible job keeping PlayStation VR supplied with top-notch software, but the stream has definitely slowed. While there have been headline titles in holidays past, the Japanese giant is relying on legacy releases like Beat Saber and PSVR Worlds to flog its headset this Christmas. It was no doubt banking on Marvel's Iron Man VR being finished in time for the festive season, but fans must wait until February to assume the role of Tony Stark.
I’ve been thinking about how poor Xmas is looking for PSVR for a while, and wondering what it all means. It should be obvious at this point that the thrust of the manufacturer’s energy is being invested into the PlayStation 5, and the consequence has been a slow year all-round. While we’ve had a very busy generation here at Push Square, this year’s generally been a non-starter for us; we’ve definitely been twiddling our thumbs at times – even during historically busy periods like E3.
But what of virtual reality? Is that the PlayStation maker done now? As one of the big proponents of PSVR since its initial unveiling, I sincerely hope not. There’s good news for the future of the medium outside of Sony’s walls, though: Half-Life: Alyx. While the Valve-developed title isn’t currently announced for the console-based headset, I’m so happy it exists because it’s going to bring attention and interest to the medium over the coming months.
Few franchises are bigger than Half-Life – especially when they’ve been dormant for over a decade. But a brand new, fully-fledged instalment in the legendary series is huge news, and it’s inevitably going to inject energy and interest into the space. That means more headsets sold, more software shifted, and, ultimately, continued investment into the medium. There may not be plans for Ms Vance on PSVR right now, but the title’s mere existence is important for VR as a whole.
And it’s coming at a crucial time. While plans for a hypothetical PSVR2 are undoubtedly already underway in a secret Sony lab, the company could theoretically pull the plug on the initiative if it sees the medium begin to fizzle out. Microsoft boss Phil Spencer said in a recent interview that “no one’s asking for VR”, but a game like Half-Life: Alyx is going to change all that. And with renewed interest during a time that was looking somewhat slow for the space, it means the future is bright for PSVR. Fingers crossed.
How do you feel about the future of PSVR? Are you disappointed by the lineup this coming Christmas? Are you still hoping Half-Life: Alyx launches on the headset? Enter a different dimension in the comments section below.
Comments 42
Like many people I went out and blew a good chunk of money on a new rig just to play HL2 back in the day.
Don’t underestimate the power of Half Life
(As for it coming to PSVR, it has every chance. Year 1? No way, beyond that, who knows. It entirely depends upon what shape PSVR is in at that time, how well it performed on PC and how much money Valve want to make off the back of it)
I can't see the PSVR ON PS4 being able to run Half-Life: Alyx without it being downgraded a lot.
Now I feel sorta like a mug for buying PSVR for my brother if PSVR2 is a distinct possibility. I don't think HL Alyx will come to PSVR, Valve needs to sell Index and they'll use it as a tentpole exclusive.
@nessisonett tail end of 2022. Index being wound down. HL2 Alyx on the shelf. Only met 50% of its sales expectations.
What then?
'Sony did an incredible job keeping PlayStation VR supplied with top-notch software'
I know that it's subjective, but that's a bit of an exaggeration.
Nobody is asking for it though 🙉🙈🙊
@kyleforrester87 I guess it's a possibility at that stage but Valve don't make their money from selling games anymore and I think this game is specifically designed to sell their own headset.
Half life Alyx will come to PSVR when Astrobot comes to Valve Index. Better for Valve to make it exclusive for steam
I agree with Monsieur Forrester. Mid-next gen and if there is a psvr2 (and improved move successors) it seems a distinct possibility.
As for whether HLA with be any good, that seems like a no brainer to me. It's always been suggested by Valve that they'd only ever pursue the franchise further if they thought they had something truly new to offer. Both previous HL's were game changers for the industry and I see no reason why this new installment can't do the same. There's always room for failure of course, but my hope is high for something special.
@nessisonett I hear you, but I do think there has to be a collective interest across manufacturers to make VR a success. PSVR doing well is good news for the entire VR industry. So while Valve will inevitably put its own hardware first and foremost, I think they’d keep an open mind in the long run. Contrary to the attitude of MS - “who’s asking for it 🤷♂️“. Doesn’t help anyone.
Hmmm. I don't care for the poll.
I think it's very unlikely, but there is a possibility on PS5.
I guess I don't really know.
Then again I know no one does.
I would love to see it on PSVR. That game looks pretty slick.
It’s interesting how the interest in a new Half Life installment will be. I’m in my mid 20’s and never played a half life game, so this really has no interest to me outside of the HL3 memes that have been going on forever. I wonder if the hype/quality will sell a new generation of fans on the series.
@Hengist I don’t think so. The first two and a half years were really good in my opinion
@Hengist I think is actually an accurate statement since the best VR tittle ever made (until HL Alyx proves itself) is a PS VR exclusive.
Given the system requirements it is isn’t ever coming to PS4.
https://www.techradar.com/uk/amp/news/half-life-alyx-demands-more-than-a-vr-headset-it-also-needs-12gb-ram-minimum
Might be possible on PS5. I don’t see how PSVR2 is relevant. The problem lies in the power of computer required to run the game not the quality of the headset.
I love Half-Life and I could see Alyx release on the PS5 along with a PSVR2.
@kyleforrester87 I definitely would buy it if it came to PSVR since I’d rather not plump for a PC headset. I reckon it’ll be too hard to get working with those PC workaround programs too. On a side not for those asking whether the younger generation would be excited about a new Half-Life, I’m 19 but I grew up watching my dad and uncles play Half-Life 2 and Counter-Strike and have later got into the series. I reckon anyone with a VR headset would check it out just because it’s a true AAA game that’s VR exclusive.
@Ryall that’s the game as it is, everything’s scalable. Although I would agree I would like to see it on a second generation PSVR headset, if such a thing happens.
@get2sammyb
Well I did state that I know that it's subjective. Personally, I think that on the whole the majority of PSVR software titles have been poor. The titles that I consider to be above mediocre and leaning towards being good, I can count on one hand. However like yourself, that's just my opinion. We disagree on this subject, but that's fine, as this is a discussion. After all, in the context of the German occupation of France during WW2 and the French resistance movement; One man's terrorist, is another man's freedom fighter.
@Shepard93n7 That's fine and I understand your point. However, you make a reference to single game, whereas I was referring to the entire software library.
Btw, just out of curiosity, which title is your favourite (if you don't mind me asking)?
@Hengist Astro Bot, probably my favorite title due to the original use of perspective, also excellent performance and lots of fun. I also enjoyed RE7 VR, Ace Combat 7 and Rigs: mechanized combat. Looking forward to pick Blood and Truth this Black Friday and Iron Man VR next year.
@Shepard93n7 Thanks for the reply. I also liked RE7 and B&T, although I have to admit that I haven't finished either yet.
I gonna start saving for a Gaming PC, and most likely a oculus quest for HL:A, With PSVR2 at least 2 years away, PSVR has already started to look old with the Moves limitations, (no Analog sticks) they really should've updated them even oculus came up with the touch controllers within a year and that changed the game for them, more forced into making them otherwise the HTC Vive would've left them in the dust, and this will mean ps5 won't be a day one purchase now, will be a wait and see what PSVR2 will offer, will eventually get PS5 6 months-1year later along with PSVR2,
Now this would make me buy PSVR if the game were to appear on the PS5.
As much as I love Half life back in the day it was the only thing I played It will not make me purchase a Virtual reality headset.
It pains me to say it but I am with Microsoft boss Phil Spencer on this.
HLA seems power hungry, so I see it more likely on PSVR2 on PS5 if there is such a thing.
Heres the thing. This game is DOA. Already reported that a tiny fraction of PCs can even play this game with their current hardware. They took an already niche market (especially in the PC arena) and made it even more niche by alienated 90% of the PCVR space. Valve, imo, are kinda bad for even doing this. You took a franchise that everyone wanted a 3rd installment and created a 'prequel' that hardly anyone can run because....well i dont know....i don't think this title moves the needle at all unless it has a PSVR release. That's not happening this gen. Valve being Valve- worth billions because of steam but clueless to what made them.
I don't know. It's clearly an ambitious VR game, but making the next Half-Life game a VR spinoff of some sort instead of a direct sequel to HL2 seems sort of tone-deaf.
Well, I'm not a fan of the franchise either way, so it doesn't bother me, but imagine if Kingdom Hearts 3 was some unrelated VR game instead. It strikes me as being something akin to that.
Quite like Orange Box brought to PS4 too please
I was a day one adopter of PSVR and I went into it half expecting a Vita situation and I don't think that has materialised. Sony have spent money on some big titles and also spent time promoting them. I mean, they have the Iron Man license and are using a PSVR game to make it (and based on the demo, have done a great job).
Personally, PSVR is my least used system. My space isn't the best to get the most out of it and having kids means I keep it hidden away most of the time. However, big releases and titles keep me coming. I'd probably invest in a PSVR2 if it supported titles like HL.
With sufficient power, any first person game can be made to run VR. Current generation of consoles are just not up to task but with PS5 and Xbox Scarlett, things could change. Developers will no longer have to circumvent system limitation by designing a brand new genre of VR game. They can now take any AAA titles and have them run on VR.
Only 1% of current PC owners will be able to play this game. Not all of those who can play it will buy it. Will it sell VR? Probably not as there are not enough titles out there to make it a must buy.
VR is not in a great place right now. Less than 5% take up on the sony system. Its not being adpoted by enough people therefore the games companies are not putting more resources into creating games. Without the games systems will not sell.
None of my top 10 games include VR titles and I own 2 different VR systems. I always dreamed of VR being great and it can be with selective experiences but we are years away from that moment. Whether the technology will be given enough time is yet to be answered.
I'm actually debating getting a VR system right now. However, I can't decide between playstation VR and the Oculus Quest. Any recommendations?
I’m a big fan of VR and want it to grow so I am happy to see a game from a franchise so many have wanted to see more of come to VR.
The fact that Alyx does not require Index is a good thing but it does not improve the chances that it appears on PSVR. No matter what VR setup one uses on PC, they're still buying Alyx via Steam. Valve has no good reason to lose an appreciable part of the PPU when its active use base nearly the same size as the PS4 and the established base of VR units shipped for the combined PC manufacturers is 43% higher than for PSVR.
@NinjaWaddleDee
If you've got the metal to drive it, I suggest the Valve Index. The 2.0 base stations feature far better motion tracking and the high PPI and refresh rate (up to 144Hz) really takes VR to the next level.
If you've got a midcard gaming PC or don't want to spend much to get into it, I'd go with the Oculus Quest as the Oculus Link software makes the Rift S rather pointless.
Otherwise, for just dipping a toe in the water without having to worry about your gaming hardware, you'd be hard-pressed to beat PSVR.
The Samsung Odyssey is $225 so probably get it just to play Alyx.
And can get Elite Dangerous, Dirt 2.0 also.
Not jumping on PSVR till I get a PS5 anyway.
I believe the facts are:
Alyx WILL come to psvr2, since it's already not hardware exclusive.
Alyx WILL sell some headsets, but WILL NOT resurrect the mediocre VR success.
VR success will only come when the headsets are more accessible, meaning lighter, smoother, cordless etc etc. so about after two generations.
Imo software is already there in both pc's and ps. The hardware is that doesn't attract the wide audience.
A shame they had to make their only Half Life game in 13 years a VR exclusive.
I suspected they would after all the Vive efforts but really... what a rich boy toy.
Perhaps VR will become as standard as anything else in no time.
Though just recently I'd hoped to avoid buying much gaming hardware upgrades ever again.
Interesting how they announced the, seemingly, vital necessity of purpose built VR hardware RIGHT at this moment...
No, I'm good I think. Had my fill of this IP.
@kohiba99 agreed. Its too specific and rich right now. I don't doubt the experience (had one for a short year) but the price is basically a whole major investment for, what is still even now, just mild curiosity and very occasional brilliant ideas.
There's a significant number who can afford this easily, I'm not outing you all as some kind of travesty to humanity, but you must understand even 200 for the cheapest VR option is WAY to much to shell out for one single title... and speaking honestly... even some of the best VR games still feel oddly make do and ghetto to me. Like a well made Garry's Mod experience. Fun but not exactly well implemented. There's no doubting the visuals in this but he moment you clip you hand through your head or can't pick up a bullet on the floor it'll feel real janky.
I wholeheartedly respect your position and admire your undying belief. But honestly, I just don’t see it. Make no mistake, I’m genuinely trying to be open minded about this and don’t intend to completely shut VR off and not give it a chance. But I really don’t see it all.
But you show a lot of faith in this one single title. So maybe my view will change sooner than I expect it to.
Maybe.
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