Sony has shared the first look of its new PlayStation VR2 headset. The VR solution has been carefully designed with the PlayStation 5 family of products in mind. Hideaki Nishino (Senior Vice President, Platform Experience) explained how the new design has included multiple styling cues from the new console and its accessories.
You’ll notice the PS VR2 headset has a similar shape as the PS VR2 Sense controller, taking on a matching “orb” look. The circular orb shape represents the 360-degree view that players feel when they enter the virtual reality world, so this shape captures it nicely.
He adds that while the console has flat edges, the PS VR2 headset has been purposely designed to have round edges. This choice was due to it being in constant contact with the user.
The PS5 console has flat edges as it is meant to be displayed on a flat surface, while there was more emphasis on adding roundness to the design of PS VR2 headset since it is meant to have constant human contact, similar to the rounded edges of the DualSense controller and Pulse 3D headset.
A new lens adjustment dial has also been added to the headset for improved viewing optimization. The headset design is slimmer, slightly lighter, and a built-in motor has been added for feedback. The headset and its controllers feature logos and symbols to match those seen on the current generation of PlayStation products. A new vent design was also made for greater enjoyment of using the headset. Yujin Morisawa (Senior Art Director, SIE) explained how a new vent design was a major goal for him.
When I started to work on the design for the PlayStation VR2 headset, one of the areas I wanted to focus on first was the idea of creating a vent in the headset to let air out, similar to the vents on the PS5 console that allows airflow. Our engineers came up with this idea as a good way to allow ventilation and avoid having the lens fog up while players are immersed in their VR games. I worked on many design concepts to achieve this, and in the final design, you can see there is a little space in between the top and front surface of the scope that contains the integrated ventilation. I am really proud of how this turned out and the positive feedback I have gotten so far. I hope our PlayStation fans will also agree, and I can’t wait for them to try it out.
4K HDR will be among the many new features of the PlayStation VR2. Other new features include inside-out camera tracking, headset feedback, and a new intuitive PS VR2 Sense controller. A single cord is used for connectivity. Development kits have already been provided to game creators. Pricing and availability have not been announced.
Source: PlayStation.Blog (via Engadget)