Sony’s CES 2022 press conference today has finally delivered a few more teasing details regarding its next virtual reality (VR) headset, crucially, what it’s actually called. It comes as no surprise that the follow-up to PlayStation VR will be called PlayStation VR2, much in the same way the company brands its consoles.
Making the announcement was PlayStation President and CEO Jim Ryan who didn’t simply step onstage to reveal the headset’s name, he also confirmed a few more exciting details. Rumours have persisted regarding some of the tech PlayStation VR2 will contain, this will include responsive feedback so you’ll actually get tactile haptic sensations. So hit your head on a virtual branch or get shot in the head and you’ll know about it by the sounds of it.
Ryan continued with a few more details, most interestingly of which was eye tracking. The tech has come to more high-end, enterprise-focused VR devices with PlayStation VR2 becoming the first – depending on when it arrives – consumer headset to actually feature eye tracking. This will offer a range of benefits for both gamers and developers, one of which will be foveated rendering ensuring the image where you’re actually looking offers the best visuals, with the quality reducing towards your peripheral vision.
When it comes to those visuals, the PlayStation VR2 will provide 4K, HDR gaming with 2000×2040 per eye resolution at 90/120Hz and a 110-degree field of view (FoV). It’ll also include inside-out tracking, 3D audio and a simplified single-cord setup.
PlayStation VR2 Specifications
| 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 |
Alas, the press conference didn’t reveal what PlayStation VR2 will actually look like, when it’ll launch or how much it’ll cost, so there’s still plenty of info to come. At least Sony did mention something, making it one of the early VR highlights of CES 2022.
All that’s been shown so far are the controllers which Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) is now calling PlayStation VR2 Sense Controllers, with a lot of the tech including the adaptive triggered coming from the PlayStation 5 controllers. For further updates on PlayStation VR2, keep reading VRFocus.