470°

PS4 VR: Smedley Confirms Sony Doing Oculus Competitor

Here's an unexpected PS4 VR update, as John Smedley confirmed that Sony is actually making an Oculus Rift competitor.

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worldsfactory.net
GarrusVakarian3750d ago (Edited 3750d ago )

Yes! I really want VR to catch on this gen, im all about that immersion. Hopefully they don't make it so expensive that it puts people off.

TomShoe3750d ago

It's probably going to pretty high priced at the outset, so it will only be a niche item for the near future.

Hopefully it will become cheaper as development costs lower and computing power increases.

Gazondaily3750d ago (Edited 3750d ago )

Yeah but what's the point of VR if you're stuck playing with a controller? I think it defeats the point:

Ah wow Im in the game!! INSIDE THE FRIGGIN GAME!

press x to pick up apple...

I really want vr but the input method needs to evolve too. At least one that rivals the precision of a keyboard and mouse.

Power glove? Lol I dont know. I just dont think a few face buttons will cut it.

Who here used to watch that cartoon, Batman of the future (I think that's what it was called). In one episode these gamers were playing and they were suspended inside these bubbles. Now that would be cool! Also, it alleviates the problem of inadvertently drop kicking your grandmother in the face. Sony you should be making giant bubbles not VR headsets!

Anyway, just thinking out loud.VR is cool. Its the next step towards total immersion. It just seems so far away though. I haven't tried Occulus Rift but yeah, it even seems a bit intimidating.

PoSTedUP3750d ago (Edited 3750d ago )

@tomshoe- if VR is going to be the next big thing, they should want to compete with OcRift. im gonna say a little more than price of a PS4, thats obv just a wild guess. their current headsets are a luxury priced pretty high, VR is targeting gamers, devs arent going to make games for something that wont sell at a hgh price, there will be no point, itll just be a flop. maybe they dont need to compete tho...

@septic- Move controllers... holding a sword and shield... gun peripheral etc.

frostypants3750d ago

@septic: Motion cameras and motion controllers, man. We already have that tech. VR could be what was needed to finally give it all a true purpose.

tontontam03750d ago

@septic
so narrow minded

christrules00413750d ago

More computing power and less development costs doesn't add up. On last gen consoles they ran sub hd resolutions. But since the games looked descent if the devs skimped on some corners they would blend into the game. But if you take a game like Killzone Shadowfall which looks fantastic and skimped over the corners they would stick out like a sore thumb. The more computing power lets devs make more detail in games but it also means they have to put that much more detail into every part of the game. Look at the detail in the division, The Witcher 3 Wild Hunt or Infamous Second Son.

On the other hand before someone says games like The Last of Us looked incredible and it did for 7 year old hardware but it wouldn't serve my example.

Aurenar3750d ago

@Septic: I agree. The motion controllers could actually make a comeback with VR; they simply make much more sense in this context.

Move is quite precise, it should be enough for now.

badz1493750d ago

@septic

I think VR tech like this goes just fine with controllers. to some extend, motion controls like PS MOVE integration will be nice too but whole body motion? come on...most people play games to relax not exhaust the hell out of their body while they are at it.

something like this:

http://www.youtube.com/watc...

is both really exhausting and makes you look stupid! at the moment, motion controls like the MOVE and WiiMote just require you to move you arms and that's about it which is nice especially for FPS and adds VR to THAT, you'll get the immersion of being in the game. full body motion control like the Kinect on the other hands is still struggling to find its footing in the hardcore gaming scene due to control limitation without the buttons.

gigoran3750d ago

@Septic
Right, because they totally didn't make any kind of move controllers that function in cooperation with the camera. Oh wait... the totally freaking did and now you look stupid. Awww darn it all.

MetaReapre3749d ago

@septic

Sony is only doing this because the Oculus Rift was so great for the PC, the keyboard and mouse didn't seem to get in the way of the immersion there and thus it is very popular. A controller, while is something that doesn't do that great of a job putting you into a game, doesn't detract anymore than it normally would while not using a VR headset, but the VR headset is made to immerse you more than a normal play through of a game could.

I hope i said all that right so my point gets across.

Anyway the gist of it is that you can't detract immersion more than sitting in front of a TV with a controller, but you can add on to it to make it better.

+ Show (6) more repliesLast reply 3749d ago
JohnnyTower3750d ago

The VR headset in the picture there is $1000. No motion tracking or anything. So I think it will be interesting what Sony pitches as a price point. The Oculus Dev kit is around $300. I don't k ow what the final price for this unit will be, but Rift has a good chance of coming in cheaper than Sony.

Naga3750d ago

I will be completely shocked if this turns out to be less than $1,000.

KakashiHotake3750d ago

Well that isn't actually a VR headset in the picture, it just looks like it. The reason that's $1000 is it's meant to be a High Def Television set that you can strap to your face for travels for example on the airplane. I'm sure the VR will be much different and will use different, more affordable technologies.

JohnnyTower3750d ago

itachi- its literally called the Sony VR headset. Its been on the market for over 2 years. Thats second gen and still $1000.

sourav933750d ago

The headset in the picture is NOT called Sony VR headset. You're talking out of your posterior. It's Sony's Head Mounted Display called the "Personal 3D Viewer", and never has been referred to as a "VR headset".

http://www.sony.co.uk/elect...

TheGreatAndPowerful3750d ago (Edited 3750d ago )

Oh but it does support head tracking. It'll be based on that tech and offered at a much lower price.

http://www.tomsguide.com/us...

DeadIIIRed3750d ago

If Sony is going to be competing with Oculus head on, they already have the cost advantage due to their existing economies of scale. I imagine it will be released $50-$100 more than the Rift, but there will most likely be huge quality differences.

Aurenar3750d ago

The HMZ is not a VR solution for gaming. The image has been put there just to gave an idea as to what it might look like, but the actual VR for PlayStation 4 will be different and much cheaper - clearly, no one would buy such an expensive device for a console.

UltraNova3750d ago

Ok guys how many of you here would buy a peripheral that costs twice as much as your console(and even more when it will arrive in 2 years plus)?

Not many I'm sure...as game developers surely are too.

So dont get your hopes up, not this gen (xbox 1 and ps4)at least. VR tech need to get cheap and console power to increase even more.

Correct me if I' wrong but stereoscopic 3D needs almost half the fps of a system to run two pictures side by side.

Now I am sure nobody would want to go back to 720p 30ish fps games even in VR mode!

+ Show (5) more repliesLast reply 3750d ago
C-H-E-F3750d ago

Sony.... will take all of my money this gen, Digital purchasing every exclusive as well. I'm doing my part to help get them out of Junk Status are you?

MightyNoX3750d ago

Outlast + VR = Good

Fallout 4 + VR = Nirvana

GarrusVakarian3750d ago (Edited 3750d ago )

"Fallout 4 + VR = Nirvana"

Games like that are the exact reason im so excited for this tech and the reason i want it to succeed. You could lose yourself in games like that, even more so than you can already.

Gazondaily3750d ago

Omg Fallout plus VR...say bye to thr gym. Time to make all kinds of gains....in my fingers!

Arkardo3750d ago

Where do you leave the next Doom! ;)

TetsujinFranky3750d ago

This is going to be quite interesting. I'm really curious to see what Sony is going to come up with.

Alexious3750d ago

The most important aspect is preserving quality while not dropping performance.

Resolution might have to drop to 720 or 900P at least. Unfortunately, each image will have to be rendered twice, which is why VR is reliant on having a beefy hardware and PC is the best candidate.

Festano3750d ago

I agree, it will be very hard Vr support by hardware Ps4.

ginsunuva3750d ago

The resolution inside a tiny headgear won't even be noticeable as long as it's 720+

DeadIIIRed3750d ago (Edited 3750d ago )

My PS3 did just fine rendering 3D images on several games in HD, I think the PS4 will be just fine.

EDIT: My one concern would be input lag

SpaghettiMonster3750d ago

It's not going to be on the Rift's level and will probably be expensive. I'm curious to see what they have cooking though.

3750d ago
ginsunuva3750d ago

Well sony does already have a ton of VR stuff including their 3 models of HMDs

Alexious3750d ago (Edited 3750d ago )

Well, we should wait to see what the product really has in terms of features before making such a statement.

kaiserfranz3750d ago

I have no doubt about the technology, but I agree that it will not be at the levels of the Rift.

frostypants3750d ago

Sony is among the greatest hardware companies in history. Rift is being developed by a startup. Don't be so quick to pick winners.

specialguest3750d ago

@frosty - Oculus rift started out by raising 18 mil thru kickstarter, but later secured 75 mil in funding through a named firm. John Carmack left ID soft to become a full time chief tech officer of Oculus. Many top PC devs and ethusiast putting effort for the sole purpose of providing feedback or improvements on VR. This isn't just a bunch of amatuers trying to put out a prototype. This is a full on collective effort to finally bring VR to the mainstream to make it work. I don't know what Sony has in stored if they are developing a VR headset, but. Oculus is the one and only chance for practical VR to be reality.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 3750d ago
OwnageDC6503750d ago

The PS4 is virtually unstoppable!

Alexious3750d ago

They are certainly on a roll, that's for sure!

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150°

Sony Patents To Prevent You From In-Game Harassment By Reading Your Emotions

A new patent recently published by Sony wants to gather biometric data of gamers to track whether one is being harassed using AI tools.

Profchaos16d ago (Edited 16d ago )

I hope this is one of those patents that never comes to fruition.

I already dislike the fact you can pay a significant amount for a online service buy associated games and content on said service and get banned from that service over potentially a misunderstanding the bans are already handed out for flimsy reasons

I'd rather see money invested in a ban that simply removes the offensive players ability to communicate with unknown players allow them to continue party chats with friends but not with Joe blow on cod.

exputers15d ago

Agreed. Blizzard recently banned a college Overwatch 2 player who's dependent for saying "shit." Pretty harsh.

Profchaos15d ago (Edited 15d ago )

How rediculas really. You can't say a word that's allowed in most PG films and prime time TV but the game is based around killing the enemy team using guns, explosives etc.

It's just backwards.

just_looken15d ago

What your talking about is called block list

In 2006 a spaceship dropped of the playstation 3/xbox 360 i say that that generation was the last great gen with game functions/tech that has yet to comeback

Anyhow the playstation 3 if you block listed a id they could not talk to you in chatroom with either text or voice. But that was pre mind fucked 2018 when people were more human than sheep.

But hey gta 6 is coming out billion dollar budget without a single player custom character creator and without singeplayer coop off/online something saints row 1-3 had on the xbox 360.

z2g15d ago

Take my social security and bank account numbers too! Here’s a picture of my wife and our address.

phoenixwing15d ago

Cmon where's the pictures of your children. Don't hold out on them.

H915d ago

At this rate I feel Sony will eventually sell a room to play games in it where they can monitor your every breath

jambola15d ago

I genuinely get a bit worried sometimes when a friend says something that could be offensive In a party
Because I have no trouble believing some bans would happen when in a private party for saying something wrong

SegaSaturn66915d ago

I want them to censor erotic content by measuring my groin temperature so i dont get too distracted while playing black ops 2.

Popsicle15d ago

Terrible idea. Not only do I not consent to providing my biometric data, the potential for mishandling biometric data is almost a certainty. Positive stress and negative stress can produce similar changes in biometrics. Interpreting the precise emotion a person is feeling is not only invasive but could be easily misconstrued. I hope this never comes to fruition.

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130°

Sony Could Increase Your Game's Difficulty If It Sees You Complain About It

Sony has recently published a new patent that wants to dynamically handle the games' difficulty and gameplay based on the player's emotions.

jznrpg16d ago

This is something I might use. Sometimes I play some good games but they don’t have difficulty option and are a little too easy.

Profchaos16d ago

Souls games will be like that players struggling make it harder

PassNextquestion16d ago (Edited 16d ago )

I think if used correctly it could work well

jambola16d ago

cool idea
cool idea for horror games especially
the way it's explained here sounds like it could never be forced hopefully, so that's ok with me

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280°

Sony Taps Bungie's Head of Revenue to Lead Live-Service Games

Sony has recruited Bungie's head of revenue Jaremy Rich to head up its live-service gaming division, Rich has announced on social media.

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techraptor.net
ChasterMies36d ago

Please do not put Destiny’s monetization into Sony’s first party games. The monetization is what’s driving players away from Destiny.

just_looken36d ago

The new temp boss is the sony cfo bean counter so i can see this being a thing get every penny.

Cacabunga36d ago

PlayStation officially losing it.. fans will never support gaas games

just_looken36d ago

@car

The new boss did a interview in japan he wants to tap into the mobile market like nintendio so he give 0 fucks about gamers/fans

https://www.pushsquare.com/...

Redemption-6436d ago

@Cacabunga
You only speak for you and those who think like you, but most fans will support what they want. Playstation and PC fans are literally supporting Helldivers 2 and that is a gaas. Maybe you wouldn't, but many more would if they like it.

Huey_My_D_Long36d ago

@Redemption-64
Look, Im not making any judgement calls about this guy, but I will say that Helldivers 2 GaaS model is unique to Helldivers, and legit the only other game I can think of thats similiar was the Avengers game except HD2 pass is still better.
The fact that you can earn in game currency in a way that doesnt make you feel like you have to grind forever, as well you being able work on that pass that you bought...on your own time without a time limit...that right there is fucking huge to me, and I can't name any game other than avengers that avoided trapping players with FOMO logic...I think GaaS on HD2 shouldn't be compared to the rest of the industry...it should be copied.

Einhander197236d ago

Cacabunga

Helldivers 2...

Redemption-64

In Europe it's a 60 40 split favoring PC.
In the US its a 60 40 split favoring PS5.

So PlayStation owners supported the game just fine, it's not getting carried by PC or anything like that.

FinalFantasyFanatic36d ago

@just_looken,
I'm perfectly fine with the way Nintendo entered the mobile market, I never touched their mobile games, meanwhile, the console/handheld stayed the way it is. As for being a bean counter, he's probably going to reel in these massive budgets that Sony's studios have had lately, I haven't played Spiderman 2, but I cannot see how they almost tripled the budget for that game.

@Redemption-64,
That's an exception to the rule, I'm expecting a lot of these GAAS games from Sony to fail, to be fair, they only need a few to succeed, but I would have preferred that they put more of their resources into other types of games.

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 36d ago
DivineHand12536d ago

True their monetization is driving players away and at the same time, their decision to chop out content and convoluted systems is keeping new players away from the game.

Joe91336d ago

I don't think that will happen based on how things worked out at Naughty Dog now that we know what we do, seems they had the option to fully commit to live service games or stay making single player experences so they gave up on their live service game. We are not sure how things came about with Bend making a live service game but I hope that was not a forced situation. Sony doesnt seem like they are forcing studios to switch up but we will see, Sony's bread and butter is single player games it is how they dominated the console market.

Obscure_Observer36d ago

Yeah, I though Sony learned something from all their failures in the LS segment under Bungie´s disastrous leadership and supervision which led to games been cancelled, studios closed and all the people laid off.

Looks like Bungie still plays a major role in Sony´s LS initiative and Sony is not backtracking on their GaaS plans.

S2Killinit36d ago (Edited 36d ago )

Are we forgetting that Destiny is also a highly successful franchise? I feel like that definitely deserves mention here.

Besides, there is no reason why a person cant learn from past experiences.

Joe91335d ago

I agree, people act as if Destiny flopped when it came out lol it took 9 to 10 years for the numbers to fall yet people are still playing it add the success of Helldivers 2 no wonder Sony is going forward down this path.

S2Killinit35d ago

Personally, I see no problem with Sony also having service games as long as they make good ones, and more importantly they deliver the AAA story driven games that they are known for. So yeah, I agree 100% with you.

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 35d ago
Christopher36d ago

I mean, this person made some pretty bad decisions at Bungie. I hope they've learned from them because I definitely don't see those type of ideas as good for PlaySation in general.

CrimsonWing6935d ago (Edited 35d ago )

Honestly, what’s to learn from? How to make people happily continuously dump money into a single game over its life-time? Buy season passes continuously for several years with a smile on our faces?

GaaS is a design decision that is everything wrong with this industry. The fact that Helldivers 2 did so well and people defend the monetization because it was $40 and is a fun game, scares the sh*t out of me to see that the door is open and all shift will probably be to replicate that in future games. We already know the ROI for traditional game dev cost isn’t doing it for them.

I thought with Jimbo leaving we’d see a change for the better… I’m not so sure now.

S2Killinit35d ago

Service games are being offered by everyone. Sony cannot afford to only create single player AAA games. No one can. They already said they will be doing both.

Abnor_Mal36d ago (Edited 36d ago )

Ps5 gamers in 2023 seemed to play more live service types of games, so regardless to how people feel about them, numbers don’t lie and Sony is going where the money is. I mean look at the excitement around Helldivers2, people are showing that they want live service games.

Christopher36d ago

They play long-time existing live service games like CoD, Fortnite, Apex Legends, Destiny 2, and the like. Mass majority of new live service games are considered failures and aren't moving gamers away from older games.

just_looken36d ago

Yep the huge issue with live service is they need paid players along with a reason to play them.

You forgot mobile market that also taps into that player base as well as the eve online style games there is only a certain amount of krakens/whales blind supporters compared to the amount of live service games we have its not sustainable math wise.

700 restaurants making food for every seat for 1000-3000 eaters just does not work out

Einhander197236d ago (Edited 36d ago )

Christopher

I am not a big live service fan and literally own zero of the games you listed, but that is not true, unless you call games that aren't the top games to be failures.

There are tons of live service games that are profitable.

Games don't have to be the biggest game ever they just need to make more than they cost.

I challenge you to show professionally prepared data that shows that more live service games fail than make enough to keep going.

Because all the data that I have seen shows that live service is less of a gamble than making a big AAA budget game which needs to survive off retail sales.

FinalFantasyFanatic36d ago

I sometimes wonder if we're at saturation point, where it's hard for a new game to join those ranks unless it's particularly exceptional, people only have so much time and money to devote to these types of games.

romulus2336d ago

Correction, they have no issue playing good live service games

shinoff218336d ago

Lol it's not even a quarter of the ps5s sold. Helldivers may have been a hit but let's not say most are enjoying it because truth is most(the real most ) don't care about it.

S2Killinit35d ago (Edited 35d ago )

I play what is fun. If a live service game is good I’ll play it as long as its not a money scheme which Helldivers is not.

And Im a single player gamer.

mastershredder36d ago

How do you kill a franchise that already been killed?
Destiny’s grind, cash-in-on-playbass-cha-Ching, and pop-culture-insertion mainstream-me-too bs totally killed any rep Bungie had. Sony/Bungie, if you are doing this to ward-off players, it’s already working.

crazyCoconuts36d ago

Headline truncated:
"... off a cliff"

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