Posted on September 3, 2013, Mike Sharkey Virtual Reality Coming to PlayStation 4?
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There’s been a fairly universal response from anyone who uses the Oculus Rift virtual reality headset: childlike wonder. That and slight disorientation. But man, THE WONDER. The promise of virtual reality is finally becoming a reality, and according to a new report, Sony has big plans of its own for VR and the PlayStation 4.
Citing multiple unnamed sources, Eurogamer reports that as momentum for the Oculus Rift has grown, “Sony has been working on a rival device for its next-gen console, and it is on track to be revealed in 2014.” The article goes on to say that Sony already has a working prototype of its VR device based on its existing HMZ-T2 headset, and it is being tested internally on Evolution Studios PS4 racer, DriveClub.
Asked for comment about virtual reality and the PlayStation 4, Sony Worldwide Studios boss Shuhei Yoshida told Eurogamer, “We don’t talk about that.”
I’ve reached out to Sony for comment and will update this story with any response.
UPDATE: Well lookee here, it’s the Sony HMZ-T3W and T3 headset. Sony just unveiled its latest iteration of its “head-mounted personal 3D viewer.” It will launch in mid-November 2013, and though no specific launch date was announced, it’s safe to assume it will come alongside the PlayStation 4 November 15 launch.
According to Sony, the new HMZ-T headsets feature improved organic EL displays, integrated headphones, 45-degree viewing angles, and, most notably, a special “high-speed videogame mode” that shrinks the latency down to just 0.016 seconds. Also of note: I’ve searched through the product details but haven’t yet been able to find any mention of head tracking, which would seem like an odd omission and could be a signal this isn’t exactly the VR headset Sony reportedly has up its sleeve. I’ve contacted Sony for clarification and will once again update this post with any response.
No pricing was announced, but if Sony’s previous $700-plus HMZ-T headsets are any indication, it won’t be cheap. Stay tuned, it appears the future of videogames is in virtual reality.