The PlayStation VR2 headset edition has been reduced after disappointing pre-order numbers
PSVR2 will be released on February 22nd, 2023 and pre-orders for the VR headset will be available from November 2nd, 2022. Promising to usher in the next generation of VR gaming, it’s an exciting piece of hardware that gamers can’t wait to get their hands on. That was Sony’s prediction, which didn’t come true after pre-order numbers fell short of expectations.
Sony has dedicated a lot of resources to the PSVR2 headset and announced a number of launch window games that would be available for the headset. When Sony gave us a first look at the PSVR2 headset, it added several features that allow gamers to play VR games for longer periods of time. Anticipated demand for the headset resulted in an initial production figure of 2 million headsets.
As the actual number of pre-orders is a good indicator of interest, Sony has reduced production numbers to release 1-1.5 million headset units. This figure could be adjusted based on shifts in demand, either going further down or receiving an upward revision.
The PSVR2 headset wasn’t a cheap buy as it was more expensive than a PS5. Sony hoped that the lineup of upcoming games would convince gamers to buy the headset, but that demand hasn’t materialized in the way the company had hoped. Bloomberg News’ Takashi Mochizuki tweeted that analysts mentioned that only true Sony and PlayStation fans would pre-order the headset and look beyond the cost.
Unfortunately, the high cost of the headset combined with the economic situation has prompted some players to cancel their pre-orders. Paying for a PS5 wasn’t an easy purchase in the first place, and a headset costing even more would be enough to make people think twice about pre-ordering.
This comes at a time when interest from the VR industry is waning, companies like Meta are making cuts, and Microsoft is ramping down its VR operations. While this doesn’t mean the end for VR as we know it, it will present another obstacle as people look for another way to deliver virtual gaming experiences.
https://www.gamepur.com/news/playstation-vr2-headset-output-slashed-after-disappointing-pre-order-numbers The PlayStation VR2 headset edition has been reduced after disappointing pre-order numbers
