PlayStation VR Is In A League Of Its Own, Says Developer

Blair Renaud, CEO of IRIS VR, bestowed PlayStation VR with particular praise in his review of all three upcoming VR devices.

[Chris_Wray]

The comment is more based on the VR's sales possibilities more than the hardware itself. It's not a completely true statement though, in my opinion, Valve's VR has just as large of an install base, if not larger.

[Eonjay]

I might agree with you but I don't know the min specs for the Vive. Strictly speaking there are over 25 million units out there that can use PSVR. We simply don't know how many PC users will be Vive ready without the specs. If the dev is privy to that information, they he may be able to come to the conclusion that the PSVR has the biggest base going into the launch of said devices.

[Alexious]

Yes, that's basically what he said. Also, it's going to be easier for developers to create games with a fixed hardware.

[donthate]

Keep in mind that whatever the "specs" are on the PC, certainly a lower specced PC can function. It all depends on the experience the developer wants.

From what I see, Occulus Rift is the one that has thought this through the most with the proper specification published, an Xbox One controller and dev kit in hand.

[freshslicepizza]

the author doesn't even talk about which one offers a better experience overall.

[Spotie]

@moldy: Maybe that's because that's not what the article is about?

Can't you stay on topic?

Edit: Well, for one, I can't replay to the topic.

For another, THAT'S NOT WHAT THE ARTICLE IS ABOUT. Just finished reading the entire reddit thread, and there's no mention about the better experience because that's not the purpose.

The entire thing is from a developer's point of view. Even the comment that makes up the core of the title is in reference to how easy it would be- from a developer's standpoint- for the PSVR to reach a large audience that all has the exact same target hardware.

Did you read the article? Did you read the reddit thread? Or did you read the title and description and make up the rest? Cuz if you got beyond what's right here on N4G, you didn't comprehend a bit of what you read.

Tell me, what part of the experience playing is addressed in the reddit thread, and thus should have made its way into this article?

Like I said, stay on topic.

[freshslicepizza]

@Spotie,
"Maybe that's because that's not what the article is about?"

it is about all the vr options and he talks about the set up, about controller tracking and other stuff. yet he neglects to talk about which offers the best experience. me saying this bothers you?

"Can't you stay on topic?"

says the guy who would rather focus on me than actually replaying to the topic.

[bligmerk]

You need a GT980 minimum for Occulus, probably same for the Valve. They are using the GPU and won't run on Intel graphics, probably most low end AMD. Steam is popular because there is a bunch of low rez stuff, so a fairly large percentage won't be able to run VR. Valve should put up a sample analysis to see if the PC has enough horsepower.

[TheLoCoRaven]

What percent of Valve's install base can run VR though? A lot of crappy computers have steam too you know.

[kaiserfranz]

Yep. VR will remain a niche on PC for the foreseeable future.

[freshslicepizza]

what percent of console gamers bought any peripheral in the past that may cost in excess of $300?

[Clunkyd]

@Moldy

Youre talking about VR here, not some over expensive headset. Plus, Playstation is more capable of succeeding than any VR on PC.

[freshslicepizza]

@Clunkyd
"Youre talking about VR here, not some over expensive headset."

so, what's your point? it's still a peripheral that has a burden of trying to evaluate how many potential customers it has to greenlight software to. we also have no idea what the price will be.

"Plus, Playstation is more capable of succeeding than any VR on PC."

why, because the ps4 is selling so well?

[TheLoCoRaven]

@moldybread

VR will have an easier launch on the PS4 because you can tell people, "hey this thing will work on that thing you bought".

You're not saying, "hey this thing may work on that thing you have but check the specs and you may need to upgrade your video card or RAM".

The easier it is for people to ease into VR the better.

[GUTZnPAPERCUTZ]

That is what I have been wondering, Months ago developers and journalist who have had a hands on with both say Oculus is much better, so which one is it? I would figure Sony's would not be as good but much cheaper for the masses vs Oculus

[uth11]

The Vive has higher resolution display and will likely cost more. Also the Steam install base is trickier. The steam hardware survey shows a relatively small core of the user base has strong PCs, so much of the user base may be incapable of using these VR systems.

[Automatic79]

The Hype train has begun

[vlashyr]

I also think they'll do well, and Oculus Rift is going to be great too. I'm not sold on the Vive, though

[LavaLampGoo]

I wish them all well but the Oculus is the brand at the minute. Its becoming famous enough to be another hoover/vaccum. Im just looking forward to playing with them all some more!

[Alexious]

That much is true, but PlayStation is a huge brand and this will help with the VR headset, too.

[Aurenar]

I am very curious to try playstation vr

[kaiserfranz]

I'm gonna try it at PlayStation Experience in December!

[DragonDDark]

Have fun :]

[Rimeskeem]

I am going as well, was there a special ticket you needed to use the VR or is t for public?

[Aurenar]

Cool!

[ccgr]

me too!

[wesjanson99]

A league of its own? Maybe it stands to be different only from a console perspective. Good kit nonetheless.

[SmokingMonkey]

Sony's 1st party Developer's certainly are in a league of there own.

Having PSVR as a proprietary console for 1st party developer's will make PSVR in a legue of it's own.

[TheLoCoRaven]

Just give me Shadow of the Colossus 2 VR so I can shit myself already.

[odderz]

If this helps bring VR into the mainstream it can only be a good thing

[S2Killinit]

I personally think the very fact that the design of PSVR is more comfortable than the rest is a huge plus. Its like a hat, rather than a goggle. the pressure is diverted to the whole head, rather than pressure spots.

[uth11]

I agree. PSVR is in the best position to be a mass-market device of all of them.

[VER1ON]

Guess VR isnt the future for me

[GNCFLYER]

I'll end up with PSVR and oculus.

It's already been said by many including developers that PSVR is a very impressive piece of kit.

It drives me crazy knowing the hardware is already done, it's just waiting on the software.

Next gen is truly about to start.

[aerisbueller]

Next year is gonna be insane. VR is going to change everything.

Also, could you imagine if MediaMolecule's Dreams was VR enabled?

[ColonelHugh]

I shouldn't, but I've been running with the assumption that it is VR capable.

I mean, look at what we've seen, the way they've talked about it, and even it's name. Morpheus was the god of dreams if I'm not mistaken. And a dude from The Matrix

[DigitalRaptor]

There's a real possibility of Dreams being VR enabled.

One of the guys who worked on PS Move, the camera and Morpheus is now working at Media Molecule, and Dreams seems like a game that would really suit a VR experience.

[ColonelHugh]

Quantic Dreams HAS to be looking at this thing, right?

[BitbyDeath]

I'm all for VR but will wait for some decent library of software to arrive first.

[UnR34L_DEAF]

Its great for PlayStation 4 have own VR, and I know Sony have high pride about it but Sony need let PSVR works on PC too then it will be big sell since PSVR design, specs, etc re beautiful that pc gamers would buy it.

[specialguest]

Don't be afraid of the VR future. Relax, close your eyes, strap it on, and embrace it my child. Now open your eyes and welcome to the new world. Everyone has been waiting for your awakening. We are all here...

[mochachino]

I love my PS4 but I expect the league that it's in on its own is AA, not the majors. PS4 couldn't possibly match PC in power for VR.

[uth11]

It takes more than raw power to have a successful product

It needs to have the games
It needs to be affordable, not just the unit itself but the hardware needed to run it.
It needs to be comfortable

Sony is well positioned in all those. That's what the article means about a league of its own

[Paleblood]

PS4 currently doesn’t match high PC specs and is still a big success and the leader in the console market. So the question would be if PSVR needs to match a high end PC in power to be successful?

Nope.

[Paleblood]

The article states a clear advantage that PSVR has over others and that is the integrated motion controller. The DS4 comes ready equipped with a motion sensor unlike Oculus. Also the xbox controller included doesn't have motion sensors, not even the elite version.

On PS4 you already have a big installed user base that already have (they don't need to invest in new stuff) a controller with that motion sensor installed.

I have nothing against Oculus on the contrary I am glad it is a great supported of VR which is needed right now but I think PSVR has more chances to become mainstream.

[GNCFLYER]

I agree with pale blood because if VR is going to take off in video games it needs to be easy and somewhat cheap. Neither of those describes oculus.

Not enough 1000 dollar PC'S in casual land for oculus to be bigger than PSVR.

These studios and hardware guys need to port everything over to each other in the beginning to support VR while it takes hold.

[Bladesfist]

Err, Sony said it will cost as much as a new console.
http://www.gamasutra.com/vi...

We don't know how much oculus will cost, it will probably be in the same ballpark. I have tried the oculus rift CV1 at gamescom and it is the most comfortable VR experience I have had, the headset fits really well and the tracking is spot on. Paired with a controller it all worked really well.

It has a lower resolution than the Gear VR I have at home though and I could notice the pixel grid effect was much more aggressive (for that reason I am looking forward to the HTC Vive the most), the playstation VR is an even lower resolution so expect to see a strong grid effect over everything. You can see what this effect looks like here if you do not own a VR device http://vr.mkeblx.net/oculus...

I want all of these VR devices to succeed. If either of these come out and suck it will really harm the public's opinion of VR.

[calvincrack]

I have no confidence that ps4 can run vr for big time games. Uncharted 4, their flagship game got stuck at 30fps. What we're going to see on PS4 VR are niche experiences. I hope im wrong though.

[Bladesfist]

You are not wrong, but games like that are probably not well suited to VR either. You should watch Valves talk at EGX Rezzed 2015. They had some VR developers on this stage and talked about how many things they had to do differently to make a game feel good to play with VR.

Games need to be designed with VR in mind from the get go.