PlayStation VR had a strong showing at Sony’s E3 conference earlier this week, with plenty of demos on display, the likes of which including Batman: Arkham VR and Star Wars Battlefront X-Wing VR Mission. With these and plenty others in the pipeline, and those that were on the show floor, the industry is fairly optimistic about the adoption of VR headsets.
While Sony is sure that demand for the peripheral is there, word is they’re now warning that the upcoming headset may suffer shortages at launch as they won’t be able to keep production in-line with consumer demand. In an interview with CNBC, Sony Interactive Entertainment CEO Andrew House spoke of the possibility of a shortage at launch. Going on to state that while the company will do their best to keep up with demand, it will prove difficult in knowing just how well-received the upcoming platform is going to be.
“We have growing confidence that we’ll be supply constrained with this product, but we’ll do our very best to meet demand. Virtual reality is a medium that’s in its infancy. With such a nascent, very new form of storytelling, it’s difficult to predict what user uptake is going to be.”
When PlayStation VR launches later this year on October 13th, it will retail for $399, undercutting both the HTC Vive and Oculus Rift with a notably lower price, and having the additional benefit of a user base in the tens of millions. However, the underlying issue is not knowing just how many consumers are willing to fork over the cash for a technology that’s still in its infancy. House is aware of such an issue, as he states:
“We’re obviously very excited about the overall future potential for virtual reality and we think it’s the right opportunity to start to build a market. But we need to keep reminding ourselves that you’re requiring a very different user engagement than we have seen previously.
The experiences we are delivering are truly transformative for gaming and that will inspire a certain audience. How large that audience is remains to be seen.”
PlayStation VR titles will range in price form $20-$40, with some variance depending on the game. There will still be a significant investment required, as the headset doesn’t come with the necessary PlayStation Camera or the optional PS Move controller, though bundles are available.
With the holiday season approaching, it will be the necessary gauge in determining the demand for the technology, and whether or not it goes the way of 3D.
See more articles on Accessories, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation VR.
I think it’s worth noting that PSVR only undercuts the Rift at the moment, not certainly at launch in October 13th. Facebook may decide to reduce the price of the Rift in October in order to increase market share. They may also relase a base version without the xbox controller, the remote, the IR sensor or the bundled games. They may get the price down to $399 by “holiday” 2016.
If you’ve heard anything about Rift DRM recently, remember that no one is going to buy it anymore. Even Razer and Gaben have talked about how Rift is the opposite of open source.
Until you factor in the $1500 computer the Rift also requires.
Oculus certified PC now cost under $1000. And they will be cheaper still come October.
Here’s what I want to know about PSVR will it replace a television to game with?
I’m more than aware not every game will be totally VR but with GTsport when I’m sitting in the cockpit of a car and want to look into a corner will I be able to unlike the flat, know where you are going, system that GT has now.
Yeah, PSVR can simulate a screen and you can play any game on that screen. Though resolution won’t be anywhere near that of a normal TV.
And yes, not all games will support VR, but GT Sport.
Will*
@ironman44321 Do you have sources for all of this information? I have been reading about the VR system since it was announced and it I havn’t come across this information.
In regards to GTsport I also haven’t seen them use with the PSVR system. Which one would think they would given that it would be a big draw for the new title.
http://www.roadtovr.com/sony-playstation-vr-gdc-press-event-live-blog-2pm-pst/
It’s called Cinematic Mode.
it is simply a vendor induced shortage to create the illusion of hype and want.
Everything right now is “maybe” and “possibly.” We’ll find out more this fall when the doodad launches. But I definitely want one for No Man’s Sky and GT Sport. If it’s hard to come by for a while, I’ll wait.
The factory can only churn out so many units per day and has to be set up for long term profitablity. If initial sales are huge that simply means an initial shortage and then things evening out over the year and them building up a bit of a stockpile leading up to the next holiday season. It may not even be in production at this point and that might be a part of the issue.
Demand appears to be high enough that artificially limiting units in order to build hype is both unnecessary and dumb. I don’t think that’s in play here.