PSVR 2 is already losing to the Meta Quest 2 in the VR headset battle
Sony has refuted claims that it's scaling back on production of its PS5 headset due to low PSVR 2 pre-order numbers. Meanwhile the Meta Quest 2 is looking more appealing than ever.
The PSVR 2 launch is just weeks away, with PS5 owners anticipating the arrival of the new headset on February 23. But reports suggest that the excitement isn't enough to translate to healthy pre-order numbers, and that Sony has scaled back on production; the company is said to have halved its initial estimate of 2million PSVR 2 headsets shipped by the end of March, to a more manageable 1million, according to Bloomberg.
In the wake of the report, Sony fired back in a comment given to GamesIndustry.biz, emphatically saying that is has "not cut PlayStation VR 2 production numbers". On the contrary, the company said that it is “seeing enthusiasm from PlayStation fans for the upcoming launch” of the VR headset. Of course, excitement doesn't equate to consumers readily coughing up over half a grand for th PSVR 2 on top of the cost of the console it needs to function.
On that note, Sony has eagerly assured fans that PS5 production is getting ramped up as we barrel towards the PSVR 2 release. In a post on the PlayStation Blog, it thanked players for their patience during PS5 stock issues that have plagued the console since launch, and have since abated. The global semiconductor shortage was the culprit, and affected the Xbox Series X as well as the availability of a range of products across other industries.
It's been a while since the hardware has been in short supply, so this 'announcement' seems like a moot point at this stage. It's possible that Sony thinks that news of a plentiful bounty of PS5's might spur people on to pick one up and grab themselves a PSVR 2 pre-order at the same time. Or it's something shiny to detract from the impending lukewarm PSVR 2 launch. We can only speculate.
PSVR 2 review – top-of-the-line performance that comes at a priceVirtual Insanity
Truth be told, I wasn’t exactly shocked when Bloomberg reported that the PSVR 2 headset is already struggling to gain traction. The headset alone comes in at £529.99 / $599.99 / AU$879.95. That's more expensive than the PS5 itself, and you need one in order for the headset to work. There's a cost of living crisis going on – who's throwing around that kind of cash?
And let's not forget that the PS5 had a price increase last year to boot, so the barrier for entry when it comes to buying a PSVR 2 starts looking more like an impenetrable wall; getting the console and the headset will set you back by almost a grand (or a grand-and-a-half for Australians). This isn't exactly the kind of money most people can pull out from the depths of the sofa cushions.
Compare that to the all-in-one VR headset, the Meta Quest 2, which can be picked up from £399 / $399 / AU$630. It's cheaper, it's wireless, and you don't need an expensive PC or console to use it. It’s hard to see why anyone outside of VR enthusiasts would pick up the PSVR 2 over the cheaper and more user-friendly alternative. That is, outside of the exclusive PSVR 2 games. Which, truth be told, are also lacking.
Sony maintains that the PSVR 2 pre-order numbers are good enough that they don’t plan to scale back the launch. Only time will tell how the new PS5 headset will perform over the coming years. At the very least, it sounds like the perfect time for PS4 owners to upgrade to the PS5 thanks to Sony ramping up production and obliterating supply issues.