Please don't post in here if all you want to mention is that you think VR headsets in general (look silly | will be a total flop | are too expensive | are similar to the Sony HMZ-T3 | are not your cup of tea | etc). This thread is about discussing the potential, price and market success of Sony's upcoming solution in comparison to similar upcoming products. Thank you.



Here's my personal thoughts on the PS4 VR headset just announced:

While I was always convinced that Oculus Rift-like VR headsets will be the next big thing, I wasn't completely convinced that Sony's upcoming solution will be successful. I had fears that Sony would screw up certain aspects, making the device seemingly too expensive for a limited usefulness.

But Sony did just about everything right, they did all relevant aspects exactly as I hoped they would, so I'm now convinced that it will indeed be very successful. The most important aspect in my opinion was the interface: If they chose some proprietary connector shit like Kinect on the Xbox One does, it's usefulness would be limited to being used on the PS4. That would scare off many customers, because buying a device that costs about the prize of a complete console, yet can only be used as long as the PS4 exists, would seem too expensive for many. Oculus Rift would seem like the more versatile and future-proof solution.

But they chose what I hoped they would: USB and HDMI, two standard interfaces found on every computer as well. So the great news is: It will be possible to simply plug in and use the PS4 VR headset on pretty much any modern PC. It will only be a matter of time; Sony would be wise to release their own PC drivers, but if they don't, someone else will.

And that means that the PS4 headset will be a direct competitor to the Oculus Rift. PC users interested in VR will be able to buy either the PS4 headset or the Oculus Rift, as future VR software will be agnostic to the actual VR headset being used. This is great, as it means that the potential market for the device is not just a few million PS4 users, but a mass market of billions of PC owners. That will futher lower production costs and make the device cheaper.

Also, the device seems to look quite stylish and futuristic. That might be another advantage compared to the Oculus Rift for many people.

Another (though rather irrelevant) aspect of the PS4 headset is that it will most probably work as a full HMZ-T3 replacement as well, so it will also be very interesting for (the handful of) people actually interested in a "3D personal viewer". In fact, such "3D personal viewers" will probably soon vanish from market completely, as the upcoming VR headsets will be able to do anything they can, plus more, at a much cheaper price tag.

If Sony even manages to release this device even before the end-customer version of the Oculus Rift comes to market, many people who originally intented to buy an Oculus Rift (like me for example) might end up buying a PS4 headset INSTEAD.

But there's also a negative side to being a very interesting Oculus Rift alternative: At similar specs, the PS4 VR headset MIGHT actually be more expensive than the Oculus Rift. Why? Because it's actually more versatile than the Oculus Rift. People (most probably) won't be able to use the Oculus Rift on the PS4, as Sony will want PS4 owners interested in VR to buy their own product. Yet on PC, people will have free choice between both products. So everyone who is interested in Oculus Rift and happens to own a PS4 will be tempted to buy the more versatile PS4 VR headset instead.

Do you agree?

I am really looking forward for the E3, perhaps Sony will announce more information about their VR project. Never thought I will embrace VR gaming but starting to get hyped.

It all depends on price. If it is cheap enough for people to impulse buy then it will succeed. Fingers crossed

Enormous potential for horror games and virtual world experiences like never been seen before, I am really excited about it.
Price: from 150 to 250 would ok.

it wont kill it. PS4 having VR means more devs making VR games, with that resulting with more games being released that support Oculus rift. IF sony make their VR headset compatible with PC (which they should) it could eat into OR sales, but it wont kill it. OR will probably have some superior models at a more expensive price tag that could use OLED for example. and with that alone they would capture a part of the market. also, PS4 VR will be marketed on PS4 while OR will be marketed on PC. so that alone will make a difference.

If Sony will be able to prove how much support it's going to get and shows us mind blowing quality games. Than I'll don't mind to pay 400 euros max for it.

It has potential to be competitive with OR but Sony is trying to get a completely different audience. It's going to be hard to appeal this to families that play on their huge screens unless its $200 or less.

I don't quite understand. Why a "completely different audience"? And what does it have to do with families and "huge screens"?

Console owners and PC gamers are different audiences. Believe it or not, a good amount of console owners are casuals with families. 

And believe it or not, a lot of console owners are also core gamers, who will be the main target audience for PSVR, at least at the start. Core gamers are always the ones who make things take of the ground, now PS4, if Morpheus is good, then it as well. Mainstream should be a bigger concern after it takes of.