Sony Shifting Focus Away from VR Development with Limited Titles in the Pipeline

by John Nowacky
in News, PC, Playstation, Release, VR
on 21 June 2024

Sony is reportedly reducing its investment in virtual reality (VR), with the company currently working on just two titles for its PlayStation VR headset. According to Android Central, there is a lack of interest within the publisher to produce more games for the platform, signaling limited opportunities for VR development at Sony in the future. While Sony’s biggest VR development was seen with the launch of PlayStation VR2 and the release of Horizon: Call of the Mountain, the company’s output for the hardware has remained relatively limited.

In an effort to cater to its VR audience, Sony will be releasing a PC adapter for the PlayStation VR headset later this year. The adapter, set to be released on August 7th, will be available for purchase at select retailers and direct.playstation.com for $59.99 / €59.99 / £49.99. In addition to the adapter, players will need a commercially available DisplayPort cable that is compatible with DisplayPort 1.4, a Steam account, and a PC that meets the minimum system requirements.

Despite the reduction in VR investment, Sony Interactive Entertainment’s senior vice president and head of global marketing, Eric Lempel, acknowledges the significance of the VR category for the company. He views VR as a platform for innovation and recognizes the positive response from consumers. However, Lempel emphasizes that VR is still a burgeoning business for Sony and not expected to be the sole way people play games.

Additional facts:
1. Sony’s PlayStation VR headset has been one of the most popular VR devices in the market, with over 5 million units sold worldwide as of January 2021.
2. Sony has collaborated with various game developers to bring VR experiences to its platform, including games like Resident Evil 7: Biohazard and Astro Bot Rescue Mission.
3. The limited focus on VR development by Sony is driven by a shift in the company’s strategic priorities towards other areas, such as the upcoming PlayStation 5 console and its exclusive game titles.
4. Despite the reduced investment in VR, Sony will continue to support and maintain its existing VR offerings, ensuring compatibility with future PlayStation consoles.

Key questions and answers:
1. Why is Sony reducing its investment in VR development?
Sony is shifting its focus towards other strategic priorities, such as the PlayStation 5 console and exclusive game titles, which has led to a decrease in its investment in VR development.

2. Will Sony discontinue support for the PlayStation VR headset?
No, Sony will continue to support and maintain its existing VR offerings, ensuring compatibility with future PlayStation consoles. However, there may be limited opportunities for new VR game releases.

3. Does Sony see VR as an important category for its business?
Yes, Sony acknowledges the significance of the VR category and views it as a platform for innovation. They have seen positive responses from consumers and recognize its potential. However, it is not expected to be the sole way people play games.

Key challenges and controversies:
1. Limited opportunities for VR development: Sony’s reduced investment in VR development raises concerns about the future availability of new VR games and experiences on the PlayStation platform.

2. Competing VR platforms: Sony faces competition from other VR platforms like Oculus and HTC Vive, which have a wider range of VR games and experiences available. This could impact the popularity and market share of PlayStation VR.

Advantages of Sony’s approach:
1. Continued support for existing VR offerings: Sony’s commitment to maintaining compatibility with future PlayStation consoles ensures that existing PlayStation VR owners can still enjoy their VR experiences.

2. Innovation platform: Sony recognizes the potential of VR as a platform for innovation, suggesting that they may explore new ways to enhance gaming experiences in the future.

Disadvantages of Sony’s approach:
1. Limited new VR game releases: The reduced investment in VR development means that there may be fewer new VR games and experiences available for PlayStation VR users.

2. Potential lag in VR technology: By reducing its focus on VR, Sony may lag behind competitors in terms of technological advancements and new features in the VR space.