Opine: PSVR isn’t an expensive peripheral, it’s a cheap new experience

PSGamer: To label PSVR as a peripheral does it a disservice. It’s not an additional piece of hardware that enables you shoot the nameless bad guys on your TV in a new way or to prance about pressing arrows on the floor to the beat of music. It’s an entire new platform full of exciting experiences and an entire new gaming rule book. Comparing PSVR to Kinect ignores all of the extra immersion that this platform can bring. Sure, compare the price of PSVR with the price of the PSMove, the Tactile Gaming Vest or the Raildriver Train Cab Controller if you wish – but none of these peripherals come close to what PSVR can do. For an entire new gaming platform, £350 is a bargain. Hell, even £800 for the entire set-up from scratch is worth it.

[DLB23]

"Hell, even £800 for the entire set-up from scratch is worth it"

Now hold on for a second, you're going a bit too far. Let's think about this for a second...

It costs Sony less money manufacture and build a PSVR model compared to the cost building a PlayStation 4. I think gamers need more insight on how the business works. The PSVR is over priced. We need to take a stand against these companies and enforce them to lower the price.

[ArchangelMike]

But would you say that the same is true of HTC Vive and Occulus Rift, or do you think that being "overpriced" is a problem that is unique to Sony? Especially considering that they are the cheapest of the three.

In any case, for the asking price - it is definately worth the money for the experience you get. In my view, Occulus and HTC Vive don't offer a significantly improved experience that is worth the extra $300+.

I say that with the caveat that I have only tried Occulus Rift, but haven't tried the HTC Vive or PSVR. However I haven't see an experience that is any much more compelling than the ones shown on either PSVR or Occulus Rift. 90% of all the games currently shown running on each platform are the same, but only with a slightly higher resolution.

[amiga-man]

I think the article is making the statement that this is something more than a new gaming peripheral, it is a new gaming experience.

I totally agree, anyone comparing VR to 3D tv, Kinect or motion controls obviously don't understand what VR is and what it will offer in the future, I have to laugh at all the people thinking it will be some kind of fad, VR will be around for a long time and will only grow,

PSVR is the start of something big happening and the price is not even close to the value and potential that VR offers.

[freshslicepizza]

they can call it whatever the want, it's still a peripheral. want proof? just look at the software support, it will pale in comparison to how much software the ps4 gets overall. you also won't see studios like ubisoft making games like watchdogs 2 that is made for psvr. what you may see are some games with a bit of psvr integration or something like driveclub where certain parts of the game will offer psvr support.

[Jmanzare]

In the future this headset will be out dated. It already is when you compare it to the competition. The competing headsets are also a lot more money. If you have the pc powerful enough for the rift or HTC headset I would say go with that. If you have a ps4 and camera I would say go with psvr if you have neither I would do nothing and see how it all works out.

[Aloy-Boyfriend]

Ha! You are the one who doesn't know how bussines work with that attitude

[philm87]

Costs them less to manufacture, but that excludes the incredibly expensive development process that they have to get money back from.

[URNightmare]

Bro, you also want Bloodborne 2 to cater to a wider audience....just...no. Please, stop. Go get busy making vids for your YouTube channel again.

[ninsigma]

It's no where near being overpriced. Expensive?? Yeah, sure. 399+ is a lot of money but that doesn't make it over priced. It's perfectly in the range people were willing to spend on it and it's selling like crazy through pre orders. The market has decided you're wrong.

[johndoe11211]

This is the most asinine comment I have read for the morning.

[nowitzki2004]

You think this is bad? Then dont check his history.

[uth11]

The PS VR contains a custom OLED screen.. Custom meaning not off the shelf = cosr more money to produce. It has lenses, if they are quality they aren't cheap, it has a special box with custom components. I don't know what it all costs, but I doubt I doubt they are walking away with hundreds in profits on each unit.

Sony has been known to sell hardware at a loss to make it successful, IE PS3

[nowitzki2004]

Who are you?? Where did you come from? Can you do us a favor and go back into that hole? Please and thank you.

[TLG1991]

Costs them less to MANUFACTURE,

But what about the amount of money they have spent on R&D for VR, a never before done piece of tech that they needed to design from the ground up with no previous knowledge.

As oppose to the ps4 where its at heart a basic computer, and they have had 3 previous iterations to get knowledge from.

[nowitzki2004]

Dont mind him.. Hes just doing his daily Sony/PC hating.

[BABY-JEDI]

Sony are taking a gamble on investing & developing the VR market. The profit margin on the PSVR headset will be relatively negligible on the short term. They will bee investing into developing VR games/experiences while paying/supporting dev's to bring their games to PSVR. I really don't see how you could complain about this? Next you will be asking Sony to pay you to take a headset.

[miyamoto]

Do you understand what you've just said?

PS VR technology aint cheap, you know.

The R & D alone is very expensive.

There is alot of technology synergy to make this thing work.

[kraenk12]

Oh come on..you're trying too hard. The tech in PSVR from screen to upscaling is even superior to the Rift & Vive yet it's quite a bit cheaper.

[DashArrivals]

You're embarrassing yourself dude. Sony making a profit on every headset sold is a bloody good thing for the future of PS VR and the content they can make for it. The headset is absolutely NOT overpriced. It will be supported even more.

[rainslacker]

Overpriced compared to what?

Sony has stated they are making a profit on the units(selling more than it cost to make), but do you think at $400 they are actually gouging the customer? Do you actually know what it costs to manufacture the PSVR, or are you just assuming it's really cheap? Then of course there is the marketing and R&D costs that have to be recouped...does that factor in at all? What about the fact Sony doesn't see the entire $400 revenue from the sale, because the retail chain needs to get it's cut? Sony is probably selling these at $370 to distributers, who are selling them at $380 to retail going by typical console pricing structure. PSVR is a peripheral, but it's not like most peripherals with plenty of markup for retail, rather Sony considers it a new platform.

Are companies not allowed to make some profit off their products, or should we stand up for the consumer(or their wallet rather) while every company goes into the red with everything? Doing the latter just means we get nothing new ever, because there is no incentive for companies to drive innovation and those altruistic types like with Tesla or whatnot are few and far between. I don't see how that is beneficial for the consumer.

Based on your vast knowledge of what it costs to manufacture, distribute, market, and design(R&D) the PSVR, can you tell us what you feel is an appropriate price for the PSVR headset?

[DLB23]

$99 dollars. If you'd like further details, check my blog for a better explanation.

[rainslacker]

How about you put the details here? If you want to discuss it in these forums, do so. Stop trying to promote your blog...which you're doing terrible at if you suggest $99 is actually the price to manufacture, develop, market, and distribute this device.

If you want to appear credible, then actually say something credible, otherwise what's the point in visiting your blog now or in the future. Heck, I don't even know who you are, or where to find your blog, so it's obvious you are terrible with business because you can't even promote your blog properly by giving a synopsis and saying, "I explain in more detail in my blog", and then providing a link. Why should we take you seriously that you know how business works at a multi-billion dollar corporation involving multiple variables across a wide range of markets?

Also, with your speculation, try to give sources on the costs.

[johndoe11211]

Why don't you just copy and paste here whatever filth you wrote in your blog. No one wants to visit the site that would actually host a blog like that. It may give us brain cancer.

[3-4-5]

They are ALL(VR) a bit overpriced and NO it's not cheap.

The $500 bundle is a good deal, but $500 isn't cheap.

$200 would be cheap....lets not confuse things now.

What about the people who may want this that don't already have a PS4.....add on another $350-400 for the PS4 console as well.

This doesn't include cost of games as well.

[Goldby]

@DLB23

Where are you getting this "insight" that the PSVR costs less to build a brand new product over a product that has been out for 3 years?

please explain how its cheaper to build a HMD that uses More Motion Sensors and tracking sensors, on top of the PU to reproject everything to 120hz, and the 7.1 surround sound over a box with a GPU, CPU, Ram, and HDD (basically) that has been in production for over 4 years.

as things stay in the market, their costs go down as production becuase more efficient or cheaper materials are used.

Their is no cheaper materials being used in the PSVR as this is the first Gen of it. on top of that, that last bit of the comment, about enforcing them to lower prices, how can you expect to pay the same for the Smsung Gear VR (no screen there) to the PSVR (Screen, Processor unit, tracking sensors)

You also mentioned your blog, just checked the site. im ashamed i added a viewer top it, but you haven't update anything since December of last year... how are you gonna tell us you know your stuff about it and to see the blog for more detail when you don't even have up to date info on that.

p.s. your layout on the blog is horrendeous. my grandmother just puked... shes blind

ill probably get flagged for attack on this. but i hate it when stupid people just speak pointless shit to start a feud. even worse when they are uneducated

[darthv72]

It's both actually. In regards to an accessory, $400 is expensive to expand into new territories that will essentially be a new platform.

Yet the closest comparative is the PC side of things and that side is considerably more expensive.

[Aenea]

Also, it's not when you consider all the new possibilities, new type of games, new experiences, etc.

But yeah, it's not something everyone can buy all that easily, it's not cheap, but totally worth it I think!

[nowitzki2004]

Yeah its worth it.. Recently I was planning on upgrading to 4k. But I decided to stay where im at and save my money towards a Rift.

4k will give me the best visuals possible but just the thought of the immersion you will get from VR beats out 4k for me atm.. Hopefully it works like everyone claims. Judging from some youtube videos VR is awesome, and I doubt some of those people I have seen have any acting skills at all so you know its the real deal.

[rainslacker]

At $400, I wouldn't consider it particularly cheap myself. That is a lot of money. However, I wouldn't say it's an overpriced accessory or peripheral given what it is, and what it can do. If stuff like this was relatively cheap to make and get going...especially if it could go for $400 with low manufacturing costs...we'd see a lot more entrants and competition to the field as risk would be much lower.

I don't really feel it necessary to compare the PS and PC counterparts, nor judge the value of one or the other based on price performance. They're all expensive, but that doesn't mean that they're all overpriced or not worth the money.

Early on, consumers are taking the risk that it will succeed at these prices, it's just the nature of new technology, so it's really on them to determine if it's worth the price of entry.

[magiciandude]

It's expensive. There is no argument about that. It costs more than the console itself, which is required. How is that not expensive??

[Aloy-Boyfriend]

No it is not. I'm glad it is not more expensive because this tech isn't cheap. PS VR is not a peripheral like Move. It has its own screen and inputs. It will have its own dedicated games as well.

If you consider PS VR expensive I wonder what you consider Oculus and Vive, which also need a PC? Also the Xbox One at launch was $500. Was that expensive to you? I be it wasn't. And you may have your mind set up to get Hololens not matter the price, which is also not cheap tech either

[magiciandude]

This article isn't about the Rift, Vive, Xbox One, Hololens, etc. Why should I bring that up in here? PSVR is expensive. Not that it's a bad thing, but please tell it like it is.

[Aloy-Boyfriend]

But you said that there was no argument about PS VR price, and you don't want to compare prices? But it is not like you really care about it. Your bias againts PS4 doesn't help

[Aenea]

Some steering wheels are about the same price. This is more than just a simple controller.

But I get what you mean, it's not something you can buy on a whim, well, at least not most people anyways, so yeah, it's an expensive gadget.

The real question is though: is the asking price worth it when you consider what you get and what tech it's made of? I feel it's totally worth it.

At least, for me, it's in a price range I might be able to afford around launch. If not I am sure I won't have to wait too long afterwards. Am more worried about supplies! And if you think about it, the price makes sense, if one can afford a PS4 in 2013/2014 why can't you afford something that costs about the same in 2016?

[MasterCornholio]

Well that depends if the public views the accessory as a worthy purchase compared to a new console. Some people might actually choose this over a new system because they deem it worthy of its price tag. Also the fact that OR and Vive are more expensive makes the device appear to be an even sweeter deal.

Anyways hopefully PSVR does extremely well becuase that will make VR worth it on consoles. It would be nice to see the other console manufacturers support VR in the future.

P.S Whether or not something inexpensive is subjective to the user. If your poor even a 300$ console will seem expensive. If your rich a 3000$ gaming PC will seem like a bargain. Let's keep it real here.

[nowitzki2004]

"the other console manufacturers support VR"

They will probably rush one out to grab a quick piece of the pie.

[URNightmare]

But in an article comparing the three, you said you were excited to get the Rift, I even replied to you there. Now I read this here. You are definitely bias.

[kraenk12]

He only said that because he can't anything positive about a Sony product. He doesn't even own a PC fast enough for a Rift.

[kraenk12]

It definitely is expensive for you because you will also gave to buy a PS4 for it.

[M-M]

The PSVR actually is cheap for what it is. I would actually say it would be overpriced if it wasn't for the OLED RGB panel.

[philm87]

Agreed, it does a lot more than your average accessory. It should be compared more to the price of a half decent HD tv, which is where it's at.

[MasterCornholio]

Its very well priced. Vive and OR are expensive in comparison to PSVR.

[M-M]

Actually I meant slightly overpriced. I actually think it should be $300-$350.

[rainslacker]

Sony has stated and made pretty clear they consider the PSVR a new platform. It's a platform dependent on another platform, but it's own platform none the less. Given than, and the fact they didn't really cheap out on much, and reportedly has a pretty good build quality and design, it would seem that as a console it's well within the price range for what it's supposed to be.

Sony has to recoup a lot of R&D, and future marketing, along with the costs to manufacture and distribute, so I don't really feel the price is unfair. It's expensive, because $400 is a lot of money, but overpriced is not the proper word to use here. The price may not be worth it to some people, but that doesn't denote it's actual value overall. I know several people who feel that $300-400 is still too much to pay for a new console, but don't consider overpriced...just not worth it to them.

[Free_Fro]

It is expensive for what it is. There's no arguing that.

"Hell, even £800 for the entire set-up from scratch is worth it."

are you mad?

for £800, you can do so much more and better at this price.

I could build a solid gaming PC for that price, between that and a subpar console_level VR.. Easy pickings.

-
xoxo

[amiga-man]

So you would build a gaming PC, fair enough, me I would choose VR without hesitation, but then I want something new and exciting to sink my teeth (or should I say eyes) into.

[MasterCornholio]

I would choose VR because it's a new experience with gaming.

Can't allow the industry to become stagnant. New ideas are always welcomed as long as they are reasonable for core gaming.

[MRMagoo123]

there is arguing that because it's not expensive for what it is. you have no ps4 and no intention in getting vr ....any are you in every vr article ? does it scare you at how popular it is and will be ? I'm guessing you are jealous.

[Free_Fro]

I'm so jealous

http://i328.photobucket.com...

^_^

-
xoxo

[MasterCornholio]

@Free

Where's the console?

Next time take a picture with everything included.

[nowitzki2004]

Hes got his fingers crossed that VR doesnt work the way most of us want it to. He will most likely be joining the party late.. maybe he just does that all the time.

And hes got something far better coming in Hololens. /s

[rainslacker]

"He will most likely be joining the party late"

You mean he'll pick up the MS VR solution when they decide to jump on the bandwagon...probably at a $400 price point?

Kind of funny people would be willing to spend $500-800 on hololens(yes some Xbox fanboys have said they would before they realized it would be in the $1K-2K range), yet feel that PSVR isn't worth it, because apparently HL offers some remarkable experience that PSVR can't.

[uth11]

If you'd rather have a gaming PC, fine. I have one, and i'm bored with building and upgrading PCs by now. That was exciting in the 90s.

I'm a gadget geek but tech today isn't very exciting anymore, it's just new revisions on the same thing. VR is the most exciting thing to come along in quite a few years, so I don't see it as overpriced

[DashArrivals]

Do you think your constant crap is fooling anybody at all?

-
xoxo

[Aenea]

Is it a nice chunk of money? yes it is, for most people anyways

Is it expensive for WHAT IT IS? hell no

If you want to experience VR you have 3 choices, 2 of which are even more expensive than the PSVR and if you don't have a good enough PC to use the other 2 it will cost you even more, yes, even more than £800

And you call it subpar console level VR, pfft, most of the PC VR games are also releasing on PSVR, besides, most people here have no idea how the 3 different VR sets perform from hands on experience so why on earth do you already have such a strong negative opinion about PSVR?

What is it with all those strong negative opinions some people have?

[buffig]

Sony invented and produced 120hz OLED screen solely for this device. They've said they're hardly making any money at all on each device sold, if anything, due to needing the platform to succeed. Surely the price of the competition tells you that. And value is subjective. Personally I think $800 from scratch is good. You may not. Neither of us is wrong. But the price of the unit itself is reasonable considering the tech.

[jcnba28]

For a peripheral it's very expensive.

[amiga-man]

As the article suggest's this should be considered more than a peripheral, VR is the future and for more than just gaming.

[kraenk12]

So what did you pay for your monitor, TV or phone?! Just curious

[jcnba28]

Can TV's and monitors only be used for playing video games? Just curious

[kraenk12]

@jcnba28

You must have missed the news one can also watch Netflix on PSVR so your argument is invalid.

[ninsigma]

I wouldn't go so far as to call it cheap. 399 to 499 is a lot of money to a lot of people. It is very reasonably priced though considering it is new tech.

[Relientk77]

Cheaper than the Oculus Rift and HTC Vive, and that's a good thing

[pompombrum]

I think it's a very competitive price and affordable for early adopters but I wouldn't call it cheap.

[sizeofyou]

EVERYTHING is relative!

[Newmanator]

If you earn minimum wage it ain't cheap people.

[BABY-JEDI]

Nothing's cheap in minimum wage! Let's hope we get universal equality so everyone can have the opportunity to buy the things they really want (including your VR headset of choice 😉)

[Newmanator]

Agreed! Luckily I've left my minimum wage days behind but I still appreciate every game I buy.

[rainslacker]

True. A single new release game can be expensive if one makes minimum wage though. All depends on their financial responsibilities though. Some high school kid making min wage may find it perfectly fine, but someone having to pay rent and a car payment may not even be considering it.

[Newmanator]

And phone and insurance, the list goes on!

[rainslacker]

The world is designed to take the money one earns out of their pocket, and into the hands of another.

[Tsunade]

A cheap VR experience is Samsung Gear VR and let me tell you my friends and I were very impressed and hyped by it.

I am very sure PSVR is gonna be way better and beyond Samsung Gear VR.

[neoandrew]

Would you buy a 400 USD tv? Yes? Then this is it, just another step.