Sony has dropped an absolute bombshell out of nowhere, today revealing the first details on the “next-generation” PSVR unit heading to the PS5. No pictures or potential release date has been given, but the most exciting tidbit of information Sony has revealed is that the new PSVR will have a brand new controller. And this will utilise “some of the key features found in the DualSense wireless controller”.
Given how revolutionary DualSense has been, and the extra immersion its haptic feedback provides, the new PSVR controller could be pretty special.
And a DualSense-esque set of PSVR controllers coupled with an enhanced headset and the power of the PS5 could be a match made in VR heaven.
Announcing the next-gen PSVR Hideaki Nishino, the senior VP for Platform Planning & Management, said: “More than four years ago, we launched PlayStation VR to offer a transformative new way to play games on PS4, providing a much stronger sense of presence and deeper immersion to players compared with traditional games. In that time, we’ve seen tremendous experiences that have propelled virtual reality gaming forward, including highly acclaimed titles like Astro Bot: Rescue Mission, Tetris Effect, Blood & Truth, Moss, Beat Saber, and Resident Evil 7 biohazard. We’ve also enhanced the experience for some PS VR titles when played on PS4 Pro and PlayStation 5.
“Today I’m pleased to share that our next-generation VR system will be coming to PlayStation 5, enabling the ultimate entertainment experience with dramatic leaps in performance and interactivity. Players will feel an even greater sense of presence and become even more immersed in their game worlds once they put on the new headset.”
In a blog post Nishino-san went on to give more details about the PS5 PSVR headset, discussing the controller and confirming that it won’t be launching in 2021.
The Sony bigwig said: “We’re continuing to innovate with our new VR system so that our fans can continue to enjoy the unique experiences that are synonymous with PlayStation. We’re taking what we’ve learned since launching PS VR on PS4 to develop a next-gen VR system that enhances everything from resolution and field of view to tracking and input. It will connect to PS5 with a single cord to simplify setup and improve ease-of-use, while enabling a high-fidelity visual experience.
“One of the innovations we’re excited about is our new VR controller, which will incorporate some of the key features found in the DualSense wireless controller, along with a focus on great ergonomics. That’s just one of the examples of future-proof technology we’re developing to match our vision for a whole new generation of VR games and experiences.
“There’s still a lot of development underway for our new VR system, so it won’t be launching in 2021. But we wanted to provide this early update to our fans, as the development community has started to work on creating new worlds for you to explore in virtual reality.
“We also want to thank all of our PS VR players for your continued support — with upcoming games like After The Fall, Sniper Elite VR, and Humanity, there’s much more to come for PS VR whether you’re playing on PS4 or PS5. With both PlayStation VR and the next-generation VR system we’re building, our commitment to virtual reality as a medium for games is stronger than ever. We look forward to sharing more details in the future!”
