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MLB's 'Home Run Derby VR' is coming to PSVR and Vive this spring
Major League Baseball has gotten into VR lately with a host of initiatives, including partnerships with Google for At Bat VR, Intel for "Game of the Week" live streams and Samsung for immersive highlights of the 2017 season. Now MLB is bringing a VR Home Run Derby that debuted at the All-Star Game and select ballparks to your home via PlayStation VR and HTC Vive.
PSVR's rodent adventure 'Moss' arrives February 27th
PlayStation VR's adorable murine tale Moss finally has a release date. Next Tuesday, February 27th, you'll be able to guide the big-eared rodent Quill along her adventure on your PlayStation 4. When it debuted at E3 last year, developer Polyarc (made up, in part, of former Bungie and Rockstar Games alums) promised the mouse-scale adventure would be out by holiday, but the game was delayed until this spring. If you're curious how it'll play before you drop hard-earned cash, there's a demo version available as part of the free PSVR demo disc on the PlayStation Network Store. Need more convincing? Maybe the new trailer below will do the trick.
After Math: Market fluctuations
It's been a volatile week for us all, what with the stock market's unpredictable undulations, the US Senate's DACA drama, the Olympics hacking and whatever other craziness that's sure to happen between the time I file this post and Sunday morning. It was pretty wild for the tech industry as well. Turns out that Apple's HomePod seemingly secretes wood-marking oils, Sony announced it'll cut the price of its VR headset by a third, and Netflix continued its spending spree, blowing $300 million on the guy who brought us "Glee." Numbers, because how else are you going to count stuff?
Sony drops PlayStation VR prices as low as $200
Sony thinks its holiday PlayStation VR discounts were a success, so it's bringing them back now that it wants to clear some end-of-winter stock. The company is running a new promo that drops PSVR prices by $100 across the board between February 18th and March 3rd. The sweetest deal by far is the Gran Turismo Sport bundle -- you can get the racing game, a PSVR headset and the requisite camera for $200. You can also buy just the headset for $200, although that won't make much sense unless you just can't find the GTS pack.
Sony CEO completes quest to make the company successful again
If the news that Sony CEO Kaz Hirai will be stepping down in a few months came as a bit of a surprise this morning, then the latest peek at the company's books is a return to something more predictable. In the third quarter of Sony's fiscal year -- covering October through December 2017 -- its Playstation division continued to pull in the most money. Sales of home entertainment and audio gear, as well as camera components, were particularly strong over those three months; and unlike last quarter, smartphone income was in the positive, too.
VR runner 'Sprint Vector' launches on February 8th (updated)
Ever wanted to run in virtual reality without smacking into a real wall? You'll have a chance shortly. Survios has revealed that its VR foot racing game Sprint Vector launches February 8th for HTC Vive and Oculus Rift, and the 13th for PlayStation VR. The sci-fi runner stands out with a unique control scheme where you pump your arms to run, and your head to turn. In theory, you can get a feel for what it's like to race at breakneck speed without having to actually, well, sprint.
Sony patents detail VR motion controller concepts
Earlier this week, the eagle-eyed VR Focus caught wind of two patents filed by Sony Interactive Entertainment, which look suspiciously like motion controllers. It's too early to tell whether these are our first looks at an entirely new one for PlayStation VR. But it's been eight years since the Move controllers first hit the market, so these may inform the design of the models Sony eventually develops to follow up on its aging VR wands.
The best gifts for a console gamer
Don't worry, we're not out to start a console war in our comments: If you're in the market for a new games system, the Xbox One S, PlayStation VR, Nintendo Switch and 2DS XL all made it into our holiday gift guide, for different reasons. Once you figure out which platform is best for your intended, we have a wide assortment of games and accessories, from a 400GB microSDXC card to a custom Xbox controller to the PlayStation Gold wireless headset, among other things. Find all that and more in our gift guide at the link below.
Try not to puke while playing 'Wipeout' in VR next year
Wipeout might be one of the most ill-suited games for virtual reality, featuring high-speed races with brilliant flashing lights and neon streaks -- but it's coming to PlayStation VR anyway. Wipeout Omega Collection will get a free VR mode in early 2018, Sony announced during tonight's PlayStation Experience pre-show. The VR update includes all modes and tracks in the base game, 3D audio support, plus exclusive ships and interiors. Puke bags are not included.
Sony sold 2 million PSVR units in just over a year
Sony's PlayStation 4 has continued to sell well, and just broke 70 million consoles sold. That shouldn't be a big surprise given its market trajectory, moving past 60 million systems in June and 50 million a year ago. More importantly, it shows that Microsoft's cheaper Xbox One S and supercharged Xbox One X released last month haven't noticeably diminished Sony's console sales. But more notable is news about the PSVR, which has moved 2 million units since it launched in fall 2016.
Sony begins 14-day in-home PSVR trial program
Sony's grip on the indie market is slipping, though that may be part of the plan for the future of Playstation. More and more, we're seeing the company support virtual reality and its flagship PSVR system with various games, accessories and bundles hoping to convert us all to the immersive gaming platform. In yet another push, Sony just announced an initiative aimed at those of us who haven't taken the plunge, yet: a way to try out PlayStation VR in your own home. Of course, the demand is so high that the site you use to sign up has already reached the maximum number of users.
The best VR headsets and games to give as gifts
Virtual reality headsets were once so expensive that they would have only made suitable gifts for early adopters and serious gamers. By now, though, prices have dropped across the board, and there are enough compatible games that we're willing to recommend these headsets to a broader audience. The VR section of our holiday gift guide includes items at both the budget end of the spectrum (think: Samsung's Gear VR and Google's refreshed Daydream View) alongside higher-end offerings like the PlayStation VR and Oculus Rift and Touch bundle. Need some games to go with it? We suggest Resident Evil 7: Biohazard, Fallout 4 VR, Superhot VR and Rez Infinite. Need some accessories for someone who already owns a headset? Try the PSVR Aim Controller Farpoint bundle or the HTC Vive Deluxe Audio Strap.
Sony's latest PlayStation VR bundle takes on the 'Doom' hellscape
Sony is clearly determined to get PlayStation VR on to your head no matter what game genre you prefer to play. In addition to its recently announced Skyrim bundle, it's launching a Doom VFR bundle that includes id Software's hellish virtual reality shooter alongside the headset, PlayStation Camera and the latest PSVR demo disc.
PSVR's latest demo disc is a free download on the PlayStation Store
If your PlayStation VR has been collecting dust for awhile, Sony might have a few reasons for you to jack back in. Starting today, the contents of the demo disc that comes with new PSVR bundles are up for grabs on the PlayStation Store for free. Headlining the offerings are samples of the mousey Zelda-esque adventure Moss, horror offering The Persistence and Star Child, the 2.5D side-scroller from Playful. None of those are out until next year, so if you want to try something brand new, those are good places to start.
Sony's new PSVR bundle includes the apt version of 'Skyrim'
Sony is making up for its dearth of big exclusives this holiday season (expansions for Horizon: Zero Dawn and Uncharted don't count, sorry, and racing sims don't quite have mass appeal) with a concerted focus on PSVR. Come November 17th you'll be able to pick up a new bundle with The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim VR, a pair of Move motion controllers, the PlayStation Camera and updated PSVR headset for $449.99.
Watch Sony's Paris Games Week event in under 10 minutes
Sony dropped a bunch of new info for upcoming PlayStation games at its Paris Games Week keynote earlier today. From Infamous developer Sucker Punch's samurai simulator Ghost of Tsushima, to release timing for the first Destiny 2 expansion and Detroit: Become Human -- and a new look at The Last of Us: Part II -- there was a lot to take in from the hour-long event. But why spend an hour watching it when we've cut it down to less than 10 minutes? To get more info, hit the link below for all of our coverage from the broadcast.
'Sprint Vector' brings VR foot racing to PlayStation 4
We were impressed with Sprint Vector's unique approach to running in VR: you swing your arms in a way that feels natural and shouldn't make you queasy. However, there were only plans to release a PC version. What about those of us who want to run in the living room? Never fear: Survios has revealed that Sprint Vector is coming to PlayStation VR. There weren't any firm details (certainly not a release date), but it's safe to say you'll want a pair of Move controllers to play this futuristic foot racer, at least as it was intended.
PSVR, one year later
PlayStation VR hit the market with a bang in October 2016. It debuted at $400, without the PlayStation Camera or motion controllers. By February, Sony had sold 915,000 headsets -- far surpassing the combined number of HTC Vive and Oculus Rift units estimated to be out in the wild. Sony Interactive Entertainment head Andrew House went on a press tour to brag about the numbers, telling The New York Times PSVR sales were on track to outpace the company's internal goal of 1 million in the first six months. That would have been mid-April. "The company will almost certainly surpass that forecast," The New York Times wrote.
Hulu’s VR content is now available on Windows Mixed Reality headsets
With its latest OS update, Microsoft has officially begun to support VR headsets from companies like Lenovo, Acer and Dell and today, Hulu announced its VR content will now be available across the lineup of Windows Mixed Reality headsets. The company has also added its VR app to the Microsoft Store.
PlayStation’s updated VR headset arrives in Japan tomorrow
You may want to hold off buying the current-gen PSVR, as its successor is imminent. We already knew the updated headset will come with integrated headphones and HDR passthrough support (courtesy of a new processor unit). And, now Sony is blessing us with a release date -- for Japan, anyway. The company's native home will be the first to get the refreshed VR device when it lands there on Saturday. Meanwhile, everyone else will have to wait. At 44,980 yen ($401), the new headset will match the starting price of the original (although, its older sibling now comes bundled with the PlayStation Camera at no extra charge).
