SONY PlayStation 4 (PS4)

[Fzero]

Would be a great accessory and hopefully fairly priced

 

[Asmo]

C&VG have it too -

http://www.computerandvideogames.com/420136/sony-to-reveal-ps4-virtual-reality-headset-at-tgs/

It originally intended to reveal the headset at Gamescom but plans fell through at the eleventh hour.

The matter has been slightly complicated, but not derailed, by the growing industry support for Oculus Rift. Sony's device will be a categorical rival to Oculus, and for months there have been rumours suggesting the two companies are seeking a partnership.

Another developer claimed the virtual reality headset resembles the 3D headset that Sony first revealed in January 2011.

The TGS (Tokyo Game Show) is September 19th-22nd.

(BIB) I hope it's not a cut-price version of the same headset (hmd-tz1) alluded to, it's field of view isn't as wide as the Oculus, and that's a deal breaker. Even the Oculus isn't perfect in this regard, but it's close (very slight borders in extremes of your vision). If Sony stick a curved OLED display panel in there though, and eliminate FOV issues completely, game over, take my money, all of it.

I think it depends on whether they want to pitch this as a PS4 specific accessory, in which case I would expect it to be slightly inferior (but cheaper) than an Oculus.

 

[Asmo]

A poster on NeoGaf hinted earlier this year that they knew from Sony insiders there would be a VR reveal at Gamescom this year, and that it's reveal had been pulled, as they didn't want to muddy the impression of the PS4 being the cheaper console coming.

http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showpost.php?p=79751697&postcount=251

interesting snippet:

All I know is that they are shooting for a higher spec'd device than what the OR currently is. Release is 2014... not sure when - and I haven't the foggiest idea of price.

 

[WizardStan]

higher spec'd device than what the OR currently is

That's not hard. OR is shooting for a higher spec'd device than what the OR currently is.

 

[Asmo]

True, although they did just demo the 1080p equipped Oculus at Gamescom, so whether they're aiming for better than that..!

All Sony's previous (expensive) HMDs had two display elements rather then a shared one like the OR - If they go that route with fancy lenses they'd be ahead in the resolution stakes straight away.. but expensive.

I'm most interested in who'll get the perfect FOV in a HMD first, getting rid of the last traces of border.

Let the battle commence.

Oh, and Ace Combat VR please.

 

[Wrath Of Khan]

Sony seem to be making all the right moves imo.

 

[vcoleiro1]

Surprising no one has bought Oculus Rift yet.  

 

[Asmo]

Could be a problem (for prospective company buyers) that pretty much nothing in the Oculus isn't available on the open market, I bet a few big names will suddenly come up with something if the ball starts rolling.

Then there's the potential return of a more advanced Arcade incarnation, see 'VRCade -

http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=668869

 

[Asmo]

The Sony headset is being shown to Devs 'behind closed doors' only at TGS (and apparently was also shown under secrecy at E3 & Gamescom.

The C&VG story was updated to add:

there are no longer any existing plans to publicly showcase the virtual reality headset at the Tokyo Game Show.

Now the expectation is to showcase the headset in 2014

Executives at Sony have demonstrated the VR display to a select number of developers at E3 and Gamescom, and will also conduct closed-doors meetings at TGS

This only makes me more curious!

http://www.computerandvideogames.com/420136/sony-to-reveal-ps4-virtual-reality-headset-at-tgs/

 

[iprice]

In other words it was crap. Devs either didn't like it or thought it too difficult/not worth the effort to convert existing software for it at this late stage, so Sony might as well keep developing it for another six months.

Or something.

 

[WizardStan]

Even if it were the best thing since 3D bread, the fact that public demonstrations have been put off for several more months is going to give Oculus Rift a huge head start.

I'm hoping that the Sony thing turns out to be some proprietary junk that requires license fees and all that in order to use so I can feel justified in hoping that Oculus Rift becomes a defacto standard, but I'm also worried Sony might produce something genuinely good and will simply "lose" because of delays, or that we'll encounter another standards war.

 

[Wrath Of Khan]

Presumably it will only be compatibile with the ps4. Does occulus rift work with more than just the pc? Do they need some licence to use it with xbox or such?

I understand that games have to be tailored to work with occulus anyhow.

 

[Asmo]

I'm also worried Sony might produce something genuinely good and will simply "lose" because of delays, or that we'll encounter another standards war.

One of the most entertaining suggestions that has been put forward, is that Sony's is basically the same design as the Oculus, but instead of having an inbuilt screen, you mount your PS Vita in it (basically the same single-screen setup as in the Oculus). While just fanciful speculation, the Vita's ability to play PS4 games wirelessly would sort of make this idea.... attractive - and portable if running a Vita game natively... Can't see it happening, but I'd love to see that.

I doubt it though, I think it's probably a wireless unit like their latest HMZ, probably OLED and probably expensive (their excuse for a no-show has to date been not wanting to give the impression of extra expense).

Presumably it will only be compatibile with the ps4. Does occulus rift work with more than just the pc? Do they need some licence to use it with xbox or such?

I understand that games have to be tailored to work with occulus anyhow.

The Oculus gets video via HDMI and control signals are sent via USB, so there's no reason it can't be supported by any other device, unless Sony get huffy and demand support for their own gear exclusively. Can't see that happening though, if they support the Oculus they get a head start too, and if their headset has an advantage, people convinced by the Oculus experience will find the upgrade tempting.

I have a truckload of ideas for the Oculus not even involving attachment to a computer or console!

 

[vcoleiro1]

I'm surprised no one has bought Oculus out.

 

[Asmo]

On the notion of using the PS Vita as the screen in a Sony headset, I just noticed another maker has taken steps to do something just like that, but with your smartphone:

http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=665809

http://techcrunch.com/2013/08/29/vrase/

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/2041280918/155244500?token=22363efc

As the screens are so good now, there'll be more of this sort of thing - especially for 3D & 360 degree photography, when they get round to incorporating that. Hmm... a unit with TWO smartphones!

 

[vcoleiro1]

^ my first impression was that it sounded ridiculous. But when I read through the KS page , it looks like a half decent idea.


Will have to keep my eye on that.

 

[ekianjo]

On the notion of using the PS Vita as the screen in a Sony headset,

It's ridiculous because you need much better screens/hardware to remove latency to do that than the Vita has to offer. It's just a silly idea.

 

[gunrock]

Wouldn't the weight of a Vita strapped to your head be like strapping a Virtual Boy to your bonce, a la some movie I saw in the 80's or 90's.

 

[Asmo]

Easy, you just strap that old PS1 you never use to the back of your head to counterbalance it.

 

[Wrath Of Khan]

Demo kiosks are playable now in u.s retail stores it seems. If anyone tries out the ps4 let us know what your thoughts are.