PSVR2 - out now!

[Alex W.]

I don’t know how much information the PSVR API exposes to developers versus the PSVR 2 API, but unless it’s very, very abstracted and literally just saying “head here with this orientation, controllers here with this orientation” then a simple translation between the two may not be practical. At the other end of the spectrum PSVR is literally just a camera image and some sensor data and although surely Sony didn’t just force developers to deal with that, I wouldn’t be surprised if it was closer to that end in at least some games. In which case, how do you translate PSVR2 in to that?

[thesnwmn]

2 minutes ago, Alex W. said:

I don’t know how much information the PSVR API exposes to developers versus the PSVR 2 API, but unless it’s very, very abstracted and literally just saying “head here with this orientation, controllers here with this orientation” then a simple translation between the two may not be practical. At the other end of the spectrum PSVR is literally just a camera image and some sensor data and although surely Sony didn’t just force developers to deal with that, I wouldn’t be surprised if it was closer to that end in at least some games. In which case, how do you translate PSVR2 in to that?

 

I suspect it's probably a bit of both as you imply. A high level API that could be translated and supported and some lower level stuff which cannot. But impossible to know which only use calls they could support (if they tried) without testing and recertifying games. Which is essentially what they're charging people for... A PSVR2 version

 

I mean Sony don't even offer a free PS5 upgrade to most PS4 games that are available on both. Why would PSVR and its sequel be any different?

[Alex W.]

This actually reminds me how terribly well Microsoft nailed Kinect development. It turned out to be a turkey in the long run but developers could literally tell the computer “ok give me the player’s skeleton” and it would do it.

[jonamok]

Apples and oranges comparison, of course, but sad to think the Kinect “turkey” supposedly shipped more units (most bundled admittedly) than the N64.

[SeanR]

23 minutes ago, jonamok said:

Apples and oranges comparison, of course, but sad to think the Kinect “turkey” supposedly shipped more units (most bundled admittedly) than the N64.

Kinect 2.0 though, right? With the bone?

[sammy]

So apparently Sony aren’t announcing new TVs at their CES keynote, and will be instead using at least some some of it to show off PSVR2.  I’m hoping for some new game announcements but as it’s not on until 1am I’ll be waiting until tomorrow to find out!

[Reynard]

GT7 free PSVR update on launch day.

[sammy]

Gran Turismo 7 playable in PSVR2 from launch! 

 

Beat Saber is also being developed for PSVR2 (no launch details available yet).

[Len]

Time to look for the cheapest ps5 version then. Not played a GT since 2 or 3 maybe, I think. Eek. 

[robotattack]

Edit:

 

There will be 30+ games at launch, including a free VR upgrade for Gran Turismo 7. Beat Sabre will be coming at some point.

 

There was some virtual world shite before that and some motion trackers shown, but not tied in with anything specific. 

[Darwock]

Any detail on what kind of VR support it will have? Hopefully a bit more than the limited version we got in GT sport.

[Reynard]

I didn't watch the presentation, but looking at this clip announcing it, I'm sceptical (seemed there was a chance to say "The full game will be playable", but Jim Ryan didn't take the shot):

https://www.ign.com/articles/gran-turismo-7-is-getting-psvr-2-support-announced

 

There is a Kotaku article which does say it's the full game, but not sure on veracity:

https://www.kotaku.com.au/2023/01/gran-turismo-7-is-getting-psvr-2-support-at-launch/

[Thor]

The clip at least had other cars on the track, which implies online racing in VR could be a go. 

 

I've just grabbed £100 of PSN credit for £85 from Shopto, and bought GT7 and Resi VIII while they're still discounted on sale.

[Stanley]

I wish they would make a new Wipeout, or even just update the PSVR version. 

[tobert]

GT7 and RE7 feels like a good combo for launch and hopefully call of the mountain will be good as well

[Stanley]

That zombie game also coming out at launch looks superb, the Walking Dead one - I’ve got RE8 sitting here waiting having not played it before but I am tempted by the other one too. Too much zombie? 

[stir fry]

Out of all the releases Walking Dead is the one I'd say will leverage the mechanics of VR the best, rather than retrofitted games like GT and RE. Even tho they will also be awesome, I'm sure, but more for the audiovisual immersive impact than playability. 

 

The first game was really frustrating though, I hope they give us checkpoints in the sequel. Starting a section all over again in VR is a lot different to a TV. Those indoor areas will be great on OLED lens tho, properly dark and the zombies jumping out in the darkness while you're scavenging for meds and a clock is ticking will be intense

[Stanley]

Yeah of all the previews on Eurogamer that was the one that really stood out to me. Mechanically it looked amazing how you handle the weapons and interact with objects. 

[dave7g]

3 hours ago, Stanley said:

I wish they would make a new Wipeout, or even just update the PSVR version. 

 

I don't see the problem with updating everything from PSVR OG. If you think about Steam VR and Quest for example, Steam VR supports a million different configs of a million different headsets, inside out and sensor tracking. If it can be done there with software, why are Sony being so dismissive of backward compatibility. I'd be certain to get a PSVR2 if it supported the old headset as I have a lot of those titles.

[teddymeow]

My resolve is weakening. The more I see, the more I want one.

 

Maybe not at launch but the inevitable "what do you want for your birthday" in April from the wife / my parents / in-laws is getting easier to answer.

 

 

 

 

 

[amc]

I think I'm going to have to go deep into my VR headsets before this launches. I haven't played any of them for a month or two and the last thing I want is to lose my legs for when this arrives. I haven't played my PSVR since I bought my PS5 in fact. Got it all out and the camera placed on the TV but not even opened that dongle I got from Sony. I might even set it up on my Pro in the bedroom, though I'd be limited to sat on or edge of bed gaming, not really the room. It wouldn't matter, mind. I'd only want to play WipEout VR for a few days.

 

I'd be the hardiest, saltiest sea dog around after that. Got my travel sickness wristbands and ginger tabs at the ready.

[thesnwmn]

1 hour ago, dave7g said:

 

I don't see the problem with updating everything from PSVR OG. If you think about Steam VR and Quest for example, Steam VR supports a million different configs of a million different headsets, inside out and sensor tracking. If it can be done there with software, why are Sony being so dismissive of backward compatibility. I'd be certain to get a PSVR2 if it supported the old headset as I have a lot of those titles.

 

Obviously there's the possible greed.

 

But it's just as likely a technical issue. It will depend what APIs they chose to expose to developers with PSVR.

 

In simple terms they can provide a translation or backwards compatibility solution. But for that to work they must be able to implement every single function/interface that PSVR offered with at least as good a level of accuracy and consistency.

 

If they previously offered any function/feature that they cannot replicate for in PSVR2 (i.e. a function which gets for the value of something low level, like camera data, that the PSVR2 cannot provide) then what happens to any game that uses that function now?

 

What you're left with is needing to audit every game to determine if the functions it uses can be supported on the PSVR2's backwards compatibility layer. If it uses something that cannot then it needs changing.

 

What would be nice is them offering this backwards compatibility solution to developers and letting them choose what to do. If their game doesn't do anything wacky then it's up to them...  recertify the existing released game so people can keep playing their copy, or republish it and charge everyone again.

 

If it does something unsupported then they need to redevelop that and rebuild... And it should still up to the developer if they want to give it to existing owners for free or charge them again.

 

In both cases Sony should incentivise giving games away to existing owners but... For the Payers

[Hitcher]

1 hour ago, teddymeow said:

My resolve is weakening.

I'm the opposite. Nothing shown so far really interests me and there's nothing innovative. Will probably cancel my pre-order unless things change before launch.

[Reynard]

Such a shame that they haven't got whatever the next thing Team Asobi are working on ready to go - that would've likely have twisted my arm.

 

Resi 8 would have been a big draw if I hadn't played through it a few months back.

[KriessG]

Well I’m happy with my launch line up:

 

Horizons 

No Man’s Sky

GT7

 

I’ve not played the last 2 so all of this will feel fresh.
 

The graphics, haptics and basically everything will be a big step up from my Quest and PSVR.
 

I do need to shift my PSVR and PS4 Pro before this arrives. I wonder if I should try the trading folder here or just go CEX?

 

Maybe 1 more run through Astro Bot beforehand too… although surely Sony will give that a PSVR2 upgrade at some point.

 

[Kromeo]

On 05/01/2023 at 19:40, Hitcher said:

I'm the opposite.

 

Same, but mostly because the thing ain't backwards compatible with VR1 games. I'm actually surprised at how annoyed I am about this, to the point that I'm seriously considering cancelling my preorder.

[Darwock]

Well, apparently after a “rigorous and thorough selection process” (pfft yeah right), and after applying last November 21st, I have been accepted and allocated a preorder slot for the Japanese launch.

 

Seems to work differently from the UK one in that I was not given a time slot to make the purchase, just have to do it before Jan 25th. I have just done it, but slightly concerned by the long list of excuses they have already given for cancelling the sale without negotiation or communication. One of them is if the payment doesn’t go through for whatever reason, and as I can’t get a Japanese credit card of my own I have had to borrow my wife’s AMEX. In the card details section they ask for birthday. Hmmm. Never seen that before, and the card doesn’t have an issue date on it so I just put my wife’s birthday. Hopefully that doesn’t tank the whole transaction.

[mikeyl]

I want a PSVR2 to watch all the 3D Blurays I’ve accumulated as I’ve boxed the TV. If Avatar kicks off then this may be the killer app??!

 

However, I’m away on the 22nd and won’t be back till March. Worth keeping the preorder and risk having it left out in the street for a week or do we think there’s enough stock to go around?

[Strafe]

You’re shit out of luck because the PS5 doesn’t play 3D blu ray discs to the best of my knowledge.

 

I’d arrange delivery to a friend or family rather than having it sit in the street. I’d say that the courier wouldn’t leave a high ticket item outside but Sony might use evri as a courier so who knows.

[Darwock]

One of the conditions that they would cancel the pre-order I just made is if I asked for the delivery address to be changed after making the order (to cut down on scalpers I assume).

 

Don’t know if that applies to the UK too, but be careful…