PlayStation VR needs a camera but it isn't in the $400 bundle

What will $400 get you come this October when PlayStation VR finally launches? Glad you were wondering. The box will include an HDMI cable, a USB cable, a pair of stereo headphones with a "complete set of earpieces," the add-on processor box, an AC power cord, AC power brick and last but definitely not least, the PS VR headset itself. What you'll notice isn't included is the $60 (£40) PlayStation Camera. Same goes for the $50 (£27) apiece Move controllers. It's highly likely what was announced today is just the base configuration for the millions of folks who already have those bits collecting dust, and that more "complete" packages will be available, albeit at an almost assuredly higher price.

Those don't quite make headlines or generate goodwill, however, the way a $400 basic price does compared to the Vive's $800 and Oculus' $600 asking prices. Remember: The Camera is intrinsic to the experience, because that's what does positional tracking for the lights that adorn the helmet; the Move controllers are required for some motion-control games.

And speaking of games, Sony promises 50 will release between the October launch and year's end. During that launch window we should see Rigs: Mechanized Combat League from Sony, Ubisoft's Assassin's Creed tie-in Eagle Flight, EVE: Valkyrie, Rez Infinite and Until Dawn: Rush of Blood -- stuff we've seen before, plus some that we haven't. On that side of the coin we have Headmaster from Frame Interactive and Uber Entertainment's Wayward Sky in addition to PlayStation VR Worlds, The Playroom VR and the just announced Star Wars: Battlefront.

But the PS VR headset is capable of so much more than just games. Sony says that there will also be a mode dedicated to movies and videos. The blandly named "Cinematic Mode" will allow you to play non-VR PlayStation games and videos on the device as well as a "variety of PS4 features" including Share Play and Live from PlayStation broadcasts. Basically, it's going to act as a second screen for the device in general.

Sony also notes that 360 degree photos and videos that are becoming more and more prevalent will be viewable via the headset as well, via the PS4 Media Player. Even if you have a projector set up in your house, it'll likely be dwarfed by the 225-inch virtual screen this will provide. Here's to hoping that "Cinematic Mode" has a virtual movie theater environment to go with it.

Notice anything missing there? Like, perhaps, Blu-ray or Netflix playback? We have time scheduled with PlayStation's Adam Boyes today and we'll be sure to report back with any new info.

Update: Adam Boyes confirmed to us that the PlayStation VR's $400 bundle will not include a camera or Move controller.