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Sony's venture into the realm of virtual reality with its PlayStation VR2 seemed promising, but recent reports suggest a bump in the road. After churning out over two million units of its latest VR headset, Sony finds itself hitting the brakes on production, seeking to address inventory issues.
Launched last February as a companion to the PlayStation 5, the PlayStation VR2 carried a price tag of $549. However, despite the initial excitement, IDC data indicates a downward trajectory in shipments each quarter since its release. Bloomberg attributes this slump to a perceived dearth of compelling content for the headset.
While the PSVR2 boasts compatibility with top-tier titles like "Horizon Call of the Mountain," "Gran Turismo 7," and entries from the "Resident Evil" franchise, its hefty price tag surpasses even that of the PS5 itself, setting the bar high for consumer expectations. Notably, this content challenge isn't unique to Sony, as both Meta and Apple have grappled with similar issues surrounding their respective VR offerings.
Moreover, Sony's recent restructuring efforts, including layoffs that affected key VR development teams such as London Studio and Firesprite Studio, have further underscored the company's struggle in the VR space. Approximately 900 Sony employees, constituting 8 percent of its workforce, are expected to be impacted by these changes.
In a bid to inject fresh life into its VR ecosystem, Sony has announced plans to test PC support for the PSVR2, enabling players to access additional games on their computers. While specifics regarding the extent of PC compatibility remain unclear, Sony aims to roll out this support later this year.
Sony's decision to halt production on the PlayStation VR2 underscores the challenges it faces in the VR market, particularly regarding content availability and pricing. With restructuring efforts underway and plans to explore PC support, Sony remains committed to revitalizing its VR platform. However, the road ahead may require innovative strategies to overcome existing hurdles and regain momentum in the competitive VR landscape.
