PSVR 2 Foveated Rendering Provides 3.6x Faster Performance

Last week at GDC, more details on PSVR 2's eye tracking functionality and performance were revealed in a Unity development talk.

[Neonridr]

that's great to hear. Foveated Rendering is going to be super beneficial.

[fr0sty]

It should close the visual gap between 2D and VR games. 2x handles the rendering of the other eye's image, the other 1.5x increase can cover the additional frames per second needed.

[Babadook7]

I’m pretty sure foveated rendering doesn’t even use those techniques, although they could be added as well. The 3.6x savings comes from rendering only the part that the eyes actually are looking at, with much higher quality than elsewhere in the image.

[CrimsonIdol]

I think fr0sty is just doing the maths on what to with the savings not how it works. It's the most exciting thing about PSVR2 IMO: eye-tracking and all the benefits that come with it like intelligent use of foveated rendering and depth of field based on where you're looking. A game changer that's been a long time coming.

[Eonjay]

Foveated Rendering is the definition of working 'smarter not harder'.

[elazz]

Just as amazing is that you can use the sensors not just for foveated rendering but also input. Winking would for example be possible in game when programmed or your wherever you look can be used to finetuning aiming etc.

[Neonridr]

aiming down scopes would definitely benefit.

[darthv72]

NICE!!!!

[Eidolon]

Super excite!

[S2Killinit]

This is great news. Sounds like the VR resolution and frames could be that much closer to the 2D screen which means it will be even more impressive.

[Aloymetal]

Can't wait for this.

[ApocalypseShadow]

The headset that keeps on giving and it's not even out yet.

Tempest 3D Sound
Haptics
PS5 power
SSD Speed
Eye Tracking

PSVR 2 has the potential to blow the doors off.

[Aloymetal]

I didn't get the first psvr but this one I'm getting for sure. Can't wait for pre orders.

[ApocalypseShadow]

The potential for your head to explode is even greater on PSVR 2 than when I put PSVR on and played games like Skyrim for the first time ever but in VR. Lol.

But there were a lot of great game on PSVR 1. Genre defining games like Astrobot, Super Hot, Moss, etc. To movement defining, even with limited controls with Move, like Iron Man 360 controls and Sairento full action movement.

It's scary to think what we'll see with the graphics improvement and the controls no longer being limited without analog sticks. Everything will be better.

[RickRoland]

"It's scary to think what we'll see with the graphics improvement and the controls no longer being limited without analog sticks. Everything will be better."

We should get truly next-gen experiences this time around instead of games that feel more like tech demos and stripped back titles. The full fledged controllers could make any game playable in VR now realistically. PSVR was essentially a pilot for PSVR2. I am excited for this release.

[Bigman4k]

Sounds dope

[ibrake4naps]

Horror is a perfect match already with VR. Imagine with eye tracking, you trigger events like a creepy dude smashing through a window only when you look at it, or other events. So many possibilities!

[ApocalypseShadow]

There's just too much potential with it. Super hero eye powers, staring at an enemy too long might result in a confrontation. Staring at a woman or man might get attraction or rejection or comment. Looking away like with Dr Who's Weeping Angels might get you killed as they get closer to you, looking at an inventory object can result in an animation or ready its implementation. Lock on won't be necessary as all you have to do is look at the enemy you want to attack.

I could go on and on and on. Could be great. Sounds like it. I mean, LOOKS like it.

[z2g]

of course it does. less information means better performance. this is very similar to Xbox's variable rate shading technique; things that don't need the details don't have that detail rendered.

[z2g]

i love how people disagree to literally describing what exactly foveated rendering does and how its a similar technique to variable rate shading. They both follow the same general principle of rendering less information for things that don't need as much information. it increases performance because you are using fewer resources overall thanks to not having to run full resolution or textures or whatever for every single object in the scene within that LOD. Its literally another LOD control within levels of LOD... in foveated rendering, it works by reducing that information in peripheral vision, in VRS it does it by player camera/distance

smh.

[TheLordOfStuff]

I think the issue is your xbox comparison doesn't quite hit the mark, yes they do nearly the same thing, but you can see it when it happens on xbox, psvr2 eye tracking means you literally CANT see it happen so the concept itself isn't comparable.

[Babadook7]

VRS is only half of what this does. Sure, this can reduce rendering quality too (drop resolution for unneeded areas) but can also reduce geometry. Which is a bigger frame time saving than VRS alone. Plus, like the guy above said, you save it in areas that won’t be noticed.

[KeyAppearance]

you see its cause you said something about Xbox without it being negative, can't have that here!

[SullysCigar]

It's nice to see the likely impact of foveated rendering combined with eye tracking finally being recognised by more people. Putting a figure against it definitely help bring it to life.

PS VR2 is going to be a BIG leap forward.

[Solitariussaint]

PSVR2 Is gonna be awesome!

[babadivad]

I skipped PSVR the first go round, think I'll definitely pick up this one though.

[ORyanDeee]

will it be possible to use this on a PC or PS5 only?

[Eonjay]

It will be usable on both due to the USB connection. However don't expect officially support from Sony. Would be interesting to see if the community can create any open source eye training tech. PS5 will be plug and play

[UncertainCategory]

Eye tracking foveated rendering has been talked about in the VR space for years, awesome to see it finally implemented! With the PS5 powering it, we should be able to see some revolutionary VR performance. I just hope we get some honest to god true VR games with this. I'm tired of small scale demos.. Go big with this.

[QuePasa87]

I wish I could use it with ps5 and pc