The PS VR2 will feature a 4K HDR resolution, 110-degree FOV, and smooth frame rates of 90/120Hz.
This week Sony unveiled new information regarding the highly-anticipated follow-up to its PlayStation VR headset. During the company’s official CES press conference yesterday, Sony officially unveiled the PlayStation VR2, a new VR headset designed specifically for the PlayStation 5 game console. Sony had confirmed it was in the development of a new console VR headset this past February but has since remained tight-lipped in regards to potential upgrades.
This week the company offered us a closer look at the headset, teasing everything from significantly improved visuals to exciting new sensory features. We also received news regarding an exclusive new game based on a mega-popular PlayStation franchise. But enough with the teasing already. Here’s everything we know about the PlayStation VR2, so far:
4K Visuals
The rumors appear to have been true. During the Sony CES press conference, the company confirmed that the PS VR2 will feature a 4K HDR resolution (2000×2040 per eye) powered by an OLED display and smooth frame rates of 90/120Hz. The headset features a 110-degree field-of-view (14-degrees larger than the original PS VR) as well as foveated rendering, a technique in which eye-tracking technology is used to reduce the rendering workload by decreasing the quality of images outside the user peripheral vision. Speaking of eye-tracking…
Eye-Tracking
Another rumor comes true. The company yesterday confirmed that the PlayStation VR2 will in fact feature built-in eye-tracking. According to Sony, this technology will be used for a variety of purposes, including foveated rendering and improved character models as well. In an official release, the company explains how PS VR2 eye-tracking will improve your social VR experience, allowing you and other players to interact with one another more realistically with “heightened emotional responses” and “enhanced expression.”
Improved Controls
Sony unveiled its new-and-improved VR controllers this past March and the unique design immediately caught people’s attention. According to the company, the “orb” design offers better ergonomics as well as weight distribution, resulting in more comfortable interactions. The PS VR2 Sense Controller, as it’s now being called, will be tracked by the PS VR2 headset itself via inside-out tracking; the PlayStation Camera will no longer be needed.
New Sensory Features
In addition to eye-tracking and improved controller tracking, the PS VR2 will also make use of headset feedback technology. This unique headset-based haptic feedback promises to immerse you further in your in-headset experiences by delivering a sense of physical presence directly to your noggin. This sense of presence is further enhanced by the PS VR2’s immersive 3D audio as well as the PS5’s Tempest 3D AudioTech. Based on the specs provided, it appears as though the headset does not include any built-in speakers or headphones. Players will instead be able to connect their preferred headphones via a standard 3.5MM headphone jack.
The following is a full breakdown of the specs (as provided by Sony):
| Display method | OLED |
| Panel resolution | 2000 x 2040 per eye |
| Panel refresh rate | 90Hz, 120Hz |
| Lens separation | Adjustable |
| Field of View | Approx. 110 degrees |
| Sensors | Motion Sensor: Six-axis motion sensing system (three-axis gyroscope, three-axis accelerometer) Attachment Sensor: IR Proximity sensor |
| Cameras | 4 cameras for headset and controller trackingIR camera for eye tracking per eye |
| Feedback | Vibration on headset |
| Communication with PS5 | USB Type-C® |
| Audio | Input: Built-in microphoneOutput: Stereo headphone jack |
Sony wrapped up its conference with the reveal of a new VR game developed exclusively for the PlayStation VR2, Horizon Call of the Mountain. Available as a launch title for the PS VR2, Call of the Mountain is an original VR experience set in the popular Horizon Zero Dawn universe. Little is known about the game other than the fact that players will take control of a new protagonist. That said, developers Guerrilla Games and Firesprite have confirmed that Aloy (the original game protagonist) will make an appearance alongside “other familiar faces.”
Unfortunately, we still have no information regarding the official price or release date of the PS VR2, though there are rumors circulating about a potential Holiday 2022 release. Hell, we don’t even know what it looks like. For more information on all the new information regarding the PlayStation VR2, check out Sony’s official blog post.
Feature Image Credit: Sony