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PlayStation VR will be priced as a new gaming platform, says Sony boss
- Thread starter Blablurn
- Start date
Pie and Beans
Look for me on the local news, I'll be the guy arrested for trying to burn down a Nintendo exec's house.
Screens cost money and thats what VR has in it. Sometimes two of them!
The comparison is a PS4 requires an HDTV to function, a PC requires a monitor. The VR headset in this situation is "the new display device".
For people not to really grasp that and expect some bizarre "oh, so it'll be sold for like half of what its worth!" situation is dangerously close to someones grasp on procreation being "OH, THATS WHEN STORKS DROP THE BABIES OFF, INNIT?"
For an enthusiast forum, the obsession with mass market appeal continues to baffle me.
While I personally would have rather opt for the HTC Vive or Oculus Rift, this is a ground-breaking technology which offers an experience like no other. I fortunately got to try the HTC earlier this month, and came out of it in complete shock.
The days of heavily subsidized console hardware are over. You only have to look at the specs of the current generation of consoles. I don't know how anyone expected it to be much lower than $300, which is my current estimate. They're already having to push the bounds of the PS4, and offering solid hardware for the PSVR itself to offer a viable VR experience. Making it cheaper would only further cheapen the experience, and you can't afford to lose presence in VR.
While I personally would have rather opt for the HTC Vive or Oculus Rift, this is a ground-breaking technology which offers an experience like no other. I fortunately got to try the HTC earlier this month, and came out of it in complete shock.
The days of heavily subsidized console hardware are over. You only have to look at the specs of the current generation of consoles. I don't know how anyone expected it to be much lower than $300, which is my current estimate. They're already having to push the bounds of the PS4, and offering solid hardware for the PSVR itself to offer a viable VR experience. Making it cheaper would only further cheapen the experience, and you can't afford to lose presence in VR.
Fbh
Member
Then making it PC compatible doesn't affect them. It expands their audience and makes it a more atractive product.
The post I quoted said they want to push Ps4 sales. I don't think Morpehus will
Boulevard Bob
Banned
But yet it's still the cheapest option for premium VR experiences. It makes sense in context of a groundbreaking consumer release.
That's really not an issue. Sony is targeting the massive install base they already have with their PS4 market. Any gamer who wants to get into VR but doesn't already own a PS4 is either waiting to get a PS4 anyway, or they'll opt for the PC option since they have to invest that high amount of money anyway.
Yes it does. People could buy the PSVR soley for the PC and never plunk down any money on a PS4 or PS4 games. They're already going to want to sell this thing as low as possible, and now they can't recoup the costs with PS4s and PS4 software.
Ontop of it now they have to tech support the thing on PC which honestly is a god damned nightmare with all the configs out there.
People with a powerful PC and a PS4 will most likely grab a Morpheus if it would be compatible with both devices. If it's not they will most likely buy a VR device for PC, because of a lot more possible applications for VR.
That's a lot of potential Morpheus and VR software sales Sony would left behind.
And I don't expect a lot of people to buy a PS4 for Morpheus.
Big Green Anus
Member
$199 is the max for casual adoption!
Those are more of a minority.
Tal Shiar Agent
Member
High price leads to low install base which leads to less third party support which leads to less sales.
It's like the Vita all over again baring some miracle.
It's like the Vita all over again baring some miracle.
I'd still pay $300, but this is what I expect if Sony wants to sell me on this device:
-The device is actually supported for years with big titles and not abandon like the Vita. This device WILL SELL if it's supported properly, be like Nintendo and keep supporting the device until it's a success. The device will sell because it has support, no support = no one will buy it because it's expensive. Don't make this a Vita, Sony.
- PC support.
- At least 3-4 big playstation games current or new to support the device at launch. (No Man's Sky, Infamous 4, The Last Guardian, Grand Theft Auto V, Journey, and The Last of Us for example.)
- Again FREAKING SUPPORT THE DEVICE. If Sony wonders why it isn't selling and people say it doesn't have enough games supported, SONY GET FREAKIN' AMAZING GAMES TO SUPPORT IT.
So really 3 things, but still the whole thing keeping me from not buying this is how Sony likes to completely abandon things if they're not a instant success. I'm really interested in this device but I simply don't trust Sony to actually support it.
-The device is actually supported for years with big titles and not abandon like the Vita. This device WILL SELL if it's supported properly, be like Nintendo and keep supporting the device until it's a success. The device will sell because it has support, no support = no one will buy it because it's expensive. Don't make this a Vita, Sony.
- PC support.
- At least 3-4 big playstation games current or new to support the device at launch. (No Man's Sky, Infamous 4, The Last Guardian, Grand Theft Auto V, Journey, and The Last of Us for example.)
- Again FREAKING SUPPORT THE DEVICE. If Sony wonders why it isn't selling and people say it doesn't have enough games supported, SONY GET FREAKIN' AMAZING GAMES TO SUPPORT IT.
So really 3 things, but still the whole thing keeping me from not buying this is how Sony likes to completely abandon things if they're not a instant success. I'm really interested in this device but I simply don't trust Sony to actually support it.
Neuromancer
Member
So you've decided against it before you know what the actual price will be? I don't understand.
I'm in this demographic, and I don't understand why I would choose to buy a Morpheus over the Vive or Oculus.
Boulevard Bob
Banned
There's roughly a 0% chance Sony will be officially supporting their PSVR on PC.
There's roughly a 90% chance someone will hack basic compatibility for PSVR on PC.
There's roughly a 90% chance someone will hack basic compatibility for PSVR on PC.
A vocal minority. I think it would help them gain mindshare since there are going to be several VR devices.
Yeah, I don't trust Sony after the Vita. I'll probably wait a year or two to see how things play out.
Moon_frogger
Member
I'm with you but VR lends itself to these immersive, cinematic experiences. I'm expecting a lot of high fidelity realistic looking games that take place in rooms or corridors. No expansive open world stuff, which is kind of a shame.
Hardly something for them worth caring about tbh.
It's VR, real working living in the future VR, for less than the cost if an iPad or new phone contract, which families seem to be buying for themselves and their kids like they're going out of fashion. I think unless it's truly a ridiculous price like say >$400 then it will still sell a lot of units.
THIS IS V FUCKING R!
Some of you remind me of Sweaty Steve Ballmer laughing at the cost of the iPhone or the introduction of the iPad and just not getting it.
THIS IS V FUCKING R!
Some of you remind me of Sweaty Steve Ballmer laughing at the cost of the iPhone or the introduction of the iPad and just not getting it.
At a price point of $300 or more this device is more aimed at the enthusiast gaming market and I don't think having a PS4 and a gaming pc is so rare in that sub-group of gamers.
Of course it's still a minority, but the device is also not really aimed at the majority of PS4 users.
A minority with a lot of spending power.
FonkyByNature
Member
I honestly did expect something less then 299$ with the premium package because anything over it is expensive imo espcially when you need a PS4 to play VR games. The whole package doesn't sound attractive for the majority of people when there's so much competition in this space. It's not like an iPhone or a Wii where you're the only one bringing this kind of stuff in the world. There will be a lot of choice for VR in the next couple of years. Companies will price their VR competitively to bring the mass.
I know it costs Sony a lot of money to make it probably but if they want people to take the thing seriously, they need to lower the price and take a hit.
But hey, we'll see. They still haven't announced what the official price is and what comes with it so it's all speculation right now.
Well long story short: They need a killer app. ...Which most likely won't happen this early in the VR-era anyway.
I wonder why they apparently don't feel confident enough to subsidize it. Did their shareholders tell them to not to, or did they realize it's a generation too early for mainstream uptake thus they reckon there's not going to be enough royalties to cover development costs.. /wild speculation
I wonder why they apparently don't feel confident enough to subsidize it. Did their shareholders tell them to not to, or did they realize it's a generation too early for mainstream uptake thus they reckon there's not going to be enough royalties to cover development costs.. /wild speculation
cost of VR with the samsung device is 199.99 for the headset then anywhere from full retail price of an s6 or a note device out of contract or at minimum 199.99 if you have a 2 year contract.
anywhere at 400 or under is a great price. the samsung solution could cost someone as much as 900+ dollars. so i dont know why people are close to surprised if its as much as a console. smaller the electronic the more expensive it is. There are smart watches that a near the price of consoles as well.
and honestly sony would be smart not to compromise it too much or wait until components drop in price than just looking for first to market if they cant get it to a price point that people can see value in since right now people just see it as an accessory to a console when it really is its own thing and should be compared in that way.
anywhere at 400 or under is a great price. the samsung solution could cost someone as much as 900+ dollars. so i dont know why people are close to surprised if its as much as a console. smaller the electronic the more expensive it is. There are smart watches that a near the price of consoles as well.
and honestly sony would be smart not to compromise it too much or wait until components drop in price than just looking for first to market if they cant get it to a price point that people can see value in since right now people just see it as an accessory to a console when it really is its own thing and should be compared in that way.
$199 + PS4 still is very expensive for casuals.
I just don't see any downside.
Boulevard Bob
Banned
Why wouldn't you? They have a killer first party lineup, with a great track record. Not to mention they've been courting indie and 3rd party studios like a guy trying to find a date for prom.
That may very well be exactly what they're doing. They said they're pricing it as a platform, and they subsidize the shit out of their platforms.
That's what PC is for, baby
Raven Prime
Member
In that case they'll still get it if there are compelling PSVR exclusives. If Dreams receives the hinted at PSVR support then that's a good start already
I won't speak for everyone, but in that situation, I would want the best VR experience I could afford, given the PC, and that isn't the PSVR. Something like room-scale VR is much more important to me than a few PSVR exclusives. That said, I do agree that making the PSVR compatible with the PC is better for the consumer, especially given all the non-gaming applications VR will have.
Bitch Pudding
Member
Those excpectiations.
Paying 700 bucks for the latest smarthphone (which will be outdated 6 month later) is okay, but 400 bucks for a new innovative piece of technology is out of the question? Is this your budget speaking or your agenda???
Its FAR to early for PSVR's swan song. If it has the games, enthusiasts and early adopters will surely buy this thing anyhow.
Paying 700 bucks for the latest smarthphone (which will be outdated 6 month later) is okay, but 400 bucks for a new innovative piece of technology is out of the question? Is this your budget speaking or your agenda???
Its FAR to early for PSVR's swan song. If it has the games, enthusiasts and early adopters will surely buy this thing anyhow.
alexandros
Banned
It seems to me that the people who would be willing to spend $300+ dollars on a peripheral are much more likely to go for the PC VR headsets.
GifGafIsTheBestGaf
Member
Gaming platform eh? Damn that's more expensive than I wou...
thanks for reminding me what really matters,.
if this is a launch title outside Japan, i'll gladly pay anything they want
cyberheater
PS4 PS4 PS4 PS4 PS4 PS4 PS4 PS4 PS4 PS4 PS4 PS4 PS4 PS4 PS4 PS4 PS4 Xbone PS4 PS4
I hope it can be modded for PC play. If not then I'm out.
Boulevard Bob
Banned
From what I can tell, the blonde girl was all done in English. That to me screams "Not just for Japan"
We'll be seeing it westside, I promise.
Just get an oculus instead. Whatever hacked PC compatibility there might be, it's going to be a sub-par experience.
Does the PS4 camera work in any capacity on PC right now? Because you need that to be working, too.
The point is that there is no upside for Sony. That's simply not how they make money.
Blonde girl is an american exchange student trying to learn japanese and you're her teacher. So more for Japanese who are into Americans.
bryanee
Member
I'm willing to spend £300 on this thing. I don't have a gaming PC.
King Gilga
Member
A minority that'll be the ones that care about and buy this shit.
PC VR will be a small niche.
PS4VR will be DOA.
Neither will hit the mainstream, but might as well get as much as you can.
Especially since next to nobody is go get both.
And how do you know people here are okay with paying $700 for a smartphone.
Mr_Antimatter
Member
Not in terms of supporting add ons. The eyetoy/ps eye/ps4 cameras haven't seena ton of support. Move was seemingly dropped in short order as well.
If they want us to plop down 299-399 for a vr headset, it's going to have to have good support.
That's probably why pic support would be very welcome: pc developers could fill i the gaps of support with any number of titles, tech demos, you name it. I remember seeing a ton of hype for the kinect come not from games, but pc side stuff. Ditto for a ton of cool wiimote stuff.
PC support opens them up to not just play station gamers, but anyone with a need for a 3d headset. That's a much broader market.
Boulevard Bob
Banned
That's a good point, but the director at the end of the first blonde girl trailer comes out and he's still in english, too.
Bottom line is I'd be willing to make any bet that it'll come to the west. Idk if it'll be a launch title, but for Sony's sake it freaking better be!