If youre just talking about watching someone play, a screen also shows up on the monitor so you see what the person that is using the headset is seeing.
And VR is a platform not a peripheral, so what you're saying about historical peripheral support doesnt apply here. It's not the same as the Kinect or Move. It's the reason why there are already like 100+ games/applications playable in VR right now.
Fair points - I just don't think it'll be a very "crowd friendly" experience.
VR is a platform, yes - games are being made that can only be played using VR - much like Kinect games, so I'd say it's at least a little comparable.
I think in the specific case of PSVR to be a massive success which some here may think, you're counting on people being willing to drop their current PS4 and upgrade to the PS4.5 (or whatever it's called) AND be willing to drop $400-$600 on a VR kit. It's a LOT of faith to have in the average consumer to think this may come to pass.
Once again, I could be very wrong - and I gladly welcome and appreciate new and innovative ways to experience gaming as a medium, I just think it'll have a very niche but loyal crowd. As cliche as it is, it really IS too early to say. It's all speculation, and everyone here knows as much as everyone else - which is practically nothing.
EDIT:
Your argument would be more compelling if couch coop wasn't dying in the traditional gaming realm.
My apologies, I should have been clearer - I'm not necessarily referring to couch co op (though while still popular among sports games, isn't really viable through VR) I'm simply talking about playing games with an audience of some kind. Be it some friends, significant other, etc. Just someone else present when you're playing a game. They can see the TV, they can see what you're playing. With VR - they're not getting the same experience, and that's what I mean when I say it's a very independent and insular concept. Sure, they might be able to SEE what I'm seeing, but they'd likely not enjoy watching it simply because my heads moving around all over the place. Again, it's all speculation and unique to everyone's own individual experience - I just don't see it as a concept that'll capture the imagination, or attention of the mass consumer.
To close, I predict it'll have a very strong niche crowd with a very healthy selection of predominantly first person shooters or horror games. Some will be amazing, most will be bad. I don't think the mass public are willing to drop the money for a piece of hardware like PSVR. Will it be a successful and viable alternative to controllers or "radically change the way we think about games"? Sure, perhaps in time - but I don't see it happening in the foreseeable future. The whole concept of VR, in my mind, limits you to a first person experience - which, while a MASSIVE amount of games use, won't be viable for many people. It's an individual focused experience in an industry that's constantly growing and becoming more social and one based on sharing.