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Sony officially reveals the price and release date for its forthcoming virtual reality gaming headset, PlayStation VR, at this year’s Game Developers Conference.
Following the rumors of Sony’s PlayStation VR getting a delay until the Fall 2016, the tech firm has now unveiled the official price and release date at GDC 2016 for its virtual reality headset, as it will be launching in October of this year at a suggested retail price of $399. Furthermore, the current president and Group CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment, Andrew House, also announced that PlayStation VRis set to have more than 50 games available before the year is over.
Along with the PlayStation VR headset itself, the package contains a processor unit, a connection cable for the headset, HDMI and USB cables, headphones, as well as a power supply. Unfortunately, though, as confirmed by Sony UK on Twitter, in order for PS VR to work in its entirety, fans will also need the PlayStation Camera, which will be sold separately for $59.99, as well as PlayStation Move controllers, and they aren’t included either.
However, everyone who goes on to purchase PlayStation VR will be able to download The Playroom in VR for free from the PlayStation Store. Similar to the Nintendo Wii’s most played games, Wii Sports , The Playroom in VR will have six family-friendly mini-games. Plus, Sony announced that a PS VR-exclusivegame is in the works as well.
Final #PlayStationVRSpecs. pic.twitter.com/jFHbLOBzSO
— Greg Miller (@GameOverGreggy) March 15, 2016Naturally, some gaming fans may be wondering what the PlayStation VR’s specifications are like. With that in mind, thanks to a tweet from Greg Miller’s official Twitter account, fans can get a glimpse of PlayStation VR’s final specs above.
Sony went on to explain that it wanted to take its time with the headset’s development in order to provide the virtual reality system with a lot of options for content, and a “sufficient supply of hardware.” Of course, with competing VR headsets such as Oculus Rift getting a March release at $599, and HTC Vive coming out in early April for $799, it’s possible for gaming fans to gravitate away from PlayStation VR, which would put Sony behind in the virtual reality game.
Nevertheless, with PS VR’s price being far lower than its competitors, and considering the fact that Sony has a more established reputation with gaming, it’s highly likely fans will wait until the Fall for PlayStation VR to drop. Plus, since virtual realityis still a relatively new concept with the huge potential for failure, most gamers might simply use the Oculus Rift and HTC Vive as a litmus test in order to see if the medium can be sustained.
What do you think about the price and availability for PlayStation VR? Does it cost too much, and will its release in the Fall put it behind competitors? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
PlayStation VR is set for release sometime in October 2016.
Source: PlayStation.Blog(via Greg Miller – Twitter, Sony UK – Twitter)