Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) announced yesterday that the PlayStation VR has surpassed 2 million unit sales in a little over a year since launch. This is no mean feat for a head-mounted display considered an ‘add-on’ for a console, and even more so when you consider the fact that the peripheral carries a price tag nearly as high as the PlayStation 4 console itself. However, the rate of sales for PlayStation VR isn’t just good for SIE, it’s good for virtual reality (VR) as a whole.
“Sony continues to outperform expectations as its install base continues to grow. Already a winner at Black Friday this year, the newly released figures are in line with our expectations, and indicate both a healthy console market and a steadily growing promise for VR,” states Joost van Dreunen, CEO of SuperData Research. “Console-based virtual reality grows slow but steady. With [PlayStation VR] selling 2M units it is clear that, conform our expectations, there continues to be a viable market for VR.”
The commentary offered by SuperData Research’s CEO is in line with the feeling of the VR industry as a whole. However, there’s also an air of caution when considered the above stated fact that many consumers consider PlayStation VR and add-on to the PlayStation 4 console, opposed to a unique platform in its own right.
“It should be noted that against a total install base of 70.6M, the attach rate is less than 3%. By comparison, the Kinect, which was recently discontinued, sold 35M units across both the Xbox 360 and Xbox One.”
In light of SIE’s recently revised PlayStation VR retail packages, including big name titles such as DOOM VFR and The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim VR along with a PlayStation Camera, SuperData Research acknowledges the strength of discounting prices at the launch of AAA software.
“Bundling drives success. Now that we’re in the second half of the current hardware generation, more price-conscious and risk-averse consumers look for great deals. For this generation in particular, bundling consoles with well-known titles has proven effective in getting consumers to spend.”
The PlayStation VR’s success thanks to recent discounting has seen the device rocket to the top of Amazon’s ‘best sellers’ list, as well as supported new software with impressive sales. VRFocus will continue to keep you updated with all the latest details on PlayStation VR’s market growth.