Comments 736

Re: Resident Evil 4's Free VR Mode Is Out Next Week, PSVR2 Demo Available

Art_Vandelay

@NeonPizza There is an excellent article on UploadVR titled "Meta Quest 3 & Apple Vision Pro Production Costs Estimated by Supply Chain Analyst Firm".

According to the article, Quest 3's display costs $80 whereas Vision Pro's costs Apple an eye watering $700. Quest 3's display is LCD, whereas PSVR2's is OLED. So, it's probably higher than $80 but certainly well below the cost of the exotic micro-OLED.

Re: Bulletstorm VR Drop-Kicked into January 2024 on PSVR2

Art_Vandelay

@Discol76 It was a very gradual process for me. I initially tried a few games with full locomotion in addition to the aforementioned GT7, and quickly realized I wouldn't be able to enjoy them until I grew some VR legs.

So I turned to more stationary games such as Tetris Effect, Drums Rock and Moss to get more acclimated to the headset. More importantly, I played games with constant speed motion like Thumper and games with teleportation like Zombieland. BTW, all excellent games. And finally, I also played Horizon Call of The Mountain in short sessions, since it offers great comfort settings despite being full locomotion.

So, I gradually increased the length of my sessions. The trick here is to balance the following: go for as long as you can handle, but don't force yourself. Doing so, can create a negative feeling towards VR.

The length of time itself really varies from person to person. In my case, using GT7 as a barometer, I was able to play for about 10 minutes straight after a couple months. Now, after about 6 months, I can play it for about an hour until I feel like taking a break. But there are still some situations that can hit me immediately, like one nasty accident the other day that sent my car spinning out of control for a few seconds. I guess the incredible immersion will always have a price. 🙂

As for full locomotion games, I've been playing RE8 and I can comfortably do it for about an hour or so. Sometimes, up to two hours. I think I still have quite some room for improvement so, like I said in the beginning, it's a gradual process. A rather enjoyable one though, as VR is amazing.

Re: Microsoft Still Wants to Put Xbox Game Pass on PS5, PS4

Art_Vandelay

@OldGamer999 I've been hearing that "there will be no next-gen consoles" mantra for a couple of decades now. I doubt it will materialize anytime soon.

And TBH, maybe it's the other way around. The Steam Deck is a hit not only because it's portable, but also because it offers a consolized PC experience.

Consoles just offer an unbeatable experience to the average consumer, from value to convenience.

Re: Microsoft Still Wants to Put Xbox Game Pass on PS5, PS4

Art_Vandelay

@JSnow2 I kind of share your concern, but the market has a way of balancing things out organically.

Think about it: if Xbox is doing so badly, maybe it's because there's no room for a third player. And if there is room for a third player and Microsoft is simply screwing things up, someone will inevitably rise from Xbox's ashes.

You can't "force" competition.

Re: Microsoft Still Wants to Put Xbox Game Pass on PS5, PS4

Art_Vandelay

@Shepherd_Tallon If Microsoft would pull out of the console business, GP on PlayStation could actually be the full-fledged service. It would be no different from other services such as EA's or Ubisoft's.

And if that scenario materialized, Game Pass would surely be a different service by then, adapted to that new reality.

Re: Microsoft Still Wants to Put Xbox Game Pass on PS5, PS4

Art_Vandelay

It could happen, but there's an obvious condition: Microsoft would have to go the way of Sega and completely exit console hardware manufacturing.

I actually see that happening as early as next-gen. Let's face it: Xbox has just not been competitive. And they desperately need to put GP on other platforms, because having a subscribers base in the hundreds of millions is the only way the service will be profitable.

Sounds like a win for everyone, even though a less competitive landscape in console hardware might be a concern.

Re: Bulletstorm VR Drop-Kicked into January 2024 on PSVR2

Art_Vandelay

@The_Pixel_King Hey, I'm sorry about your health issues. That's the one thing that matters above all else. I hope you've been able to land on your feet.

Now, it's funny you mentioned the 3D effect, because that was the first thing that stood out to me when I tried the headset. The perception of depth totally tricks the brain into believing you're actually there. Sure, that sense is complemented by the 6DoF tracking, but the 3D depth of VR is what killed flat-screen gaming for me.

Getting back to racing, I've also driven a 458 on a track in Vegas, and GT7 in VR with a decent set of wheel and pedals gets surprisingly close. In fact, the brain sort of fills in the gaps by creating a false sense of G-force, and I'm really not exaggerating. But granted, the force feedback from the wheel does a lot here.

Just be aware of simulation sickness, as it affects something like 40% of users. My heart sunk the first time I tried GT7 in VR. I felt so immediately ill that I thought I would never be able to overcome it. But I did over several months, so it is doable and totally worth it.

Re: Bulletstorm VR Drop-Kicked into January 2024 on PSVR2

Art_Vandelay

@The_Pixel_King I see your point, having beaten the three big bangers on the platform. But I'll tell you: the difference is so stark, that it would really be like playing those games for the first time.

Do you own a good set of wheel and pedals? Because that really elevates GT7 to the pantheon of greatest gaming experiences ever. But granted, I love cars.

Now, if you're really tempted, I'd find a way to try out PSVR2 before you buy. On the one hand, no words here can really convey how much of a step up it is compared flat-screen gaming. But on the other hand, it's certainly not for everyone.

And as a final note, don't get too hung up on the lack of big AAA titles. I initially bought the headset mainly for GT7, but went on to discover a plethora of incredible games that I wasn't aware of. To give one notable example, Tetris Effect is as close as one can get to having a religious experience with games. It's a mind worm.

Re: Bulletstorm VR Drop-Kicked into January 2024 on PSVR2

Art_Vandelay

@Trousersnake Yeah, but I'd consider a tie between RE8 and GT7.

Totally different experiences, each of which are mind blowing in their own way.

Granted, GT7 requires a good set of wheel and pedals for the most authentic experience. But honestly, it might edge out RE8 for the petrol heads like me.

Re: Bulletstorm VR Drop-Kicked into January 2024 on PSVR2

Art_Vandelay

@The_Pixel_King I'd argue RE8 and the upcoming RE4 would be reason enough to get PSVR2. And GT7 of course, but not everyone is into racers.

I'm currently playing RE8 on PSVR2 for the first time. I've held off from playing it on the flat-screen, and man oh man... I just can't go back to flat now. The sense of presence provided by VR just elevates the game to a whole new level. It's another kind of experience, really. And the shooting... well, it now feels like shooting.

It's genuinely mind-blowing.

Re: Anticipated PSVR2 Shooter Vertigo 2 Finally Arrives in December

Art_Vandelay

@TrickyDicky99 I'd rather keep my head buried in my PSVR2 headset. I'm now playing RE8 for the very first time, and dude... I'm genuinely having the time of my life when it comes to videogames. This is my child's dream come true.

And to think RE4 is just around the corner... and I obviously haven't touched the flatscreen version... gives me the chills (quite literally).

Re: Sony Says PS Portal Wasn't Designed to Make a Profit

Art_Vandelay

That's the exact same thing with PSVR2 that people don't seem to get. It's a value add. You buy a PS5 over an Xbox because it offers many more options down the road. Yes, the games are great, but the ecosystem is all that richer and more vibrant.

At the end of the day, the individual performance of a given peripheral or even game may not matter if it benefits the platform as a whole.

Re: AI Could Make Grand Theft Auto NPCs 'Really Interesting and Fun', Says Take-Two CEO

Art_Vandelay

There's also that other quote from Zelnick when he stated that the Game Pass model was not fit for the games industry. I guess he was spot-on.

Of course, when I refer to the "GP model" I'm considering day-one releases as the main culprit.

That actually makes me think: it's sort of a given that Microsoft could not sustain the backlash of reverting the day-one thing. Sure, early access is arguably exactly that, but I believe they'll be forced to go further. Do quote me on that one.

Re: Sony Takes Control of UK as PS5 Climbs to 51% Market Share

Art_Vandelay

@ThomasHL That puts in perspective that infamous Phill Spencer quote, huh?

"There is no world where Starfield is an 11 out of 10 and people start selling their PS5s". The guy is a d*ckhead, but not stupid.

I imagine Phill now looking at MW3's reception as the words "Satya - Incoming call" come up on his phone.

Re: EA Sports WRC (PS5) - Don't Swerve This Intense, Well-Rounded Rally Racer

Art_Vandelay

@thefourfoldroot1 @Trousersnake
This truly is the only downside to PSVR2, isn't it? It kills the fun in flat-screen games, especially when it comes to racing.

And it's not only the immersion. I've found that depth perception, the wider field-of-view and the ability to look around (and into apexes) has dramatically improved my handling.

Publishers need to understand that the financial math of adding VR support is not so straightforward. It's a value add that goes well beyond increased sales at launch.

To illustrate, I'd argue that PSVR2 has had a sizeable positive impact on PS5 sales. Many people may choose PS5 over Xbox simply for the option to add VR down the line.

Re: Gran Turismo 7's New Advanced PS5 AI Could Change Racing Games Forever

Art_Vandelay

Oh, I get it now. You are one of those. No point in arguing then, but here is a farewell note: the business side of PlayStation is far and wide the reason it exists in the first place. Maybe that is hard for you to understand, but I'll try to convey it in another way to make it clearer: defending good business decisions is ultimately defending the very existence of the product you love.

I've been around long enough to witness bad business decisions run videogame companies to the ground. And I'll be the first to criticize Sony for making bad business moves such as investing so much capital and energy into GaaS.

But I get it. Most people can't see beyond their immediate needs and desires. They'll happily jeopardize their future self in the name of immediate satisfaction. This is true especially these days.

Have a good one.

Re: God of War's Next PS5 Game Could Be Revealed Before the End of the Year

Art_Vandelay

Sure, a GOW game centered around Atreus where the best part (spoiler) is when Kratos makes a surprise appearance. Remember the blades of chaos big comeback?

It could be an interesting testing ground for how popular the new main character will be, which should be challenging given how much better Kratos plays in the games so far.

Additionally, it could also be a good steppingstone towards evolving the engine to truly current-gen tech.

Re: Gran Turismo 7's New Advanced PS5 AI Could Change Racing Games Forever

Art_Vandelay

@Dobbos I bought PSVR2 mainly for GT7 but, being new to VR and very prone do motion sickness, I was deeply disappointed when I first tried it. I felt so awfully sick so quickly that I thought I would never even had the interest to give it another go.

But then I fell in love with VR and slowly built my VR legs through other games until I felt confident enough to go back to Gran Turismo. Long story short, GT7 in VR is now my favorite gaming experience by a mile and I play it often, no problem.

So, it's definitely possible to overcome motion sickness. Reddit has a few good threads on strategies to accomplish that, and it's very much worth it.

Re: Gran Turismo 7 Promises Major PS5, PS4 Update Next Week

Art_Vandelay

@TrickyDicky99 So why on Earth do you keep banging the same old "GT7 is being held back by the PS4" drum, when Polyphony can demonstrably implement PS5 exclusive features?

You know someone is full of crap when they adjust and change their argument according to what is convenient to prove a given point.

Re: Gran Turismo 7 Promises Major PS5, PS4 Update Next Week

Art_Vandelay

@TrickyDicky99 Yesterday: "What's stopping Sophy integration from being a PS5 exclusive feature?"

Today: "Also, in addition to the standard AI features, the PS5 version of the game will allow you to take on Gran Turismo Sophy, the prototype revolutionary racing AI agent that's causing a worldwide sensation in the driving-game genre."

Bingo!

Re: Gran Turismo 7 Promises Major PS5, PS4 Update Next Week

Art_Vandelay

I'm placing my bets on Sophy. A full integration would be amazing, as it would put GT7 head and shoulders above the new Forza.

The timeline matches: it's been a few months since the beta, and Polyphony has just released a video where they categorically say that Sophy would be integrated into the main game at some point.

Re: PSVR2 Is 'Important' to Sony, But 'PS5 Is the Core'

Art_Vandelay

@Trousersnake That's funny, I'm also 45. And yes, VR feels exactly like the early days of 2D on the NES/Sega Master System, or the early days of 3D on the original PlayStation/N64. It's a little janky and cumbersome, but it's fresh and mind-blowing.

I actually think VR will take longer than those two analogies to mature, because it's so much more ground-breaking. But it's more than good enough already, and it's always exciting to participate in a nascent revolutionary tech.

Re: PSVR2 Is 'Important' to Sony, But 'PS5 Is the Core'

Art_Vandelay

@TrickyDicky99 To be honest, I'm loving my games being smaller. I'm a grown adult with a small tech company to run, so my gaming time is limited to about one hour a day (not every day).

The last flat-screen game I dived into before switching to VR was Forbidden West. And although it was a good game, it took me two or three months to see it through. What a relief then, to be playing Moss now and seeing that 60% completion on the launch screen after about a week. And sure, it doesn't have the production values of Horizon, but it's dripping with creativity and soul. So much more enjoyable.

I'm sorry you fell off VR, because you seem to like it. But I'm glad I still have a few years of delight left before it wears on me.

Re: PSVR2 Is 'Important' to Sony, But 'PS5 Is the Core'

Art_Vandelay

@TrickyDicky99 The game I played the most this generation is GT7 by a mile. It was the number one reason I got PSVR2, and its VR mode has exceeded my expectations. That's more than enough meat for me.

Now, not everyone is a GT7 hardcore like me, but PSVR2 has plenty of other meaty stuff already. RE8 and the upcoming RE4 are the obvious examples here, but there's also games like No Man's Sky in which people have spent hundreds of hours. Not to mention Call of The Mountain, which is a AAA quality, PSVR2-exclusive first-party title.

Sure, the medium could benefit immensely from bigger investments, but one must be realistic. It's a chicken and egg situation and Sony's approach, while frustrating to many, is the smart way to go from a financial standpoint. VR is ground-breaking tech that will take years or even decades to mature, and Sony is making sure they have a foot on it.

I might get back to flat, or I may stay mostly in VR like many people have. The truth is I don't care. I'm just glad PSVR2 exists because I'm having the best time I've had with gaming since the original PlayStation. So, I ask kindly: please, don't waste your time trying to take away from that enjoyment.

Re: PSVR2 Is 'Important' to Sony, But 'PS5 Is the Core'

Art_Vandelay

@RustyStag You obviously don't own one, and I kinda get a "but would want one" vibe from you comment.

The only downside to PSVR2 is that it totally ruined flat-screen gaming for me. And I wonder if it actually is a downside, to be honest. I've been gaming for 40 years now, and VR is the breath of fresh air this hobby needed.

I even look at, like, Spider-Man 2 and think "meh". The abstraction layer of pushing buttons and sticks on a pad while watching that translate to actions on a square 2D window located a few meters aways from me suddenly falls... flat.

Re: Media Molecule Confirms Report of Layoffs, Has Begun Consultation Process

Art_Vandelay

@Fight_Teza_Fight Actually, you can kinda get back to that. PSVR2 is in that exact space: shorter, cheaper and way more creative, experimental games.

Since I got the headset, I totally lost interest in flat-screen games. They all feel like "been there, done that" type of deal.

VR is a completely new paradigm, and there are dozens of incredible games available on the platform already. Especially if you are new to VR, which is my case.