As the release of the PS VR2 draws closer, we are slowly learning more about what we can expect from Sony's latest virtual reality headset. We have gotten several updates on the system so far, each giving us more clues as to what the PlayStation VR2 has in store.Virtual reality quickly seems to be becoming the future of gaming, and the PS VR2 is shaping up to be the headset that could take us there. Here is everything we know about the PlayStation VR2 so far.

What Will the PS VR2 Look Like?

The system's official design was revealed in an update posted to the PlayStation Blog on February 22, 2022. While it does bear similarities to the original PS VR, they are most definitely sisters, not twins.

The new PS VR2 headset (pictured above) features a similar design to its predecessor. It has retained the adjustable halo strap that made it one of the most comfortable headsets on the market, as well as the same rounded shape as its older counterpart.

It has, however, upgraded to the sleek black-and-white color scheme of the PlayStation 5. The resemblance the PS VR2 bears to PlayStation's ninth-gen console means they will certainly make an attractive pair on any gamer's mantel. But while it is nice, the color scheme wasn't the biggest design change that caught the attention of gamers.

Controllers

The PlayStation VR 2 will be ditching the dated PlayStation Move controllers that were first released in 2010 alongside the PS3. Instead, these controllers will be replaced with the next-gen PS VR2 controllers, which are more akin to those of the Meta Quest 2.

The PlayStation VR2 will be adopting the inside-out tracking system for its controllers. The inside-out tracking system uses a series of LED lights applied to both the controllers and the headset itself, meaning that no matter where you are situated, the headset should always be in range of the controllers.

This method of motion tracking is what the Meta Quest 2 uses and has proven to have superior reliability when compared to the previous PS VR controllers. It should be a vast improvement from the PS VR, and it's certainly one we are excited about.

Wired vs. Wireless

Much to gamers' dismay, the PlayStation VR2 will still be a wired system that connects directly to the PlayStation console. There are many pros and cons to a wired headset.

A wired VR headset means you never have to worry about your system's battery life, and, at the very least, it would make the price point far cheaper than a wireless alternative.

Improved Ventilation

An issue that plagued dedicated VR users is the system's screen fogging up after long play sessions. The PS VR2 will include a solution to this problem by including vents to improve air circulation throughout the headset.

Yujin Morisawa, Senior Art Director at SIE, who led the headset design of the PS VR2, explained in the PlayStation Blog post, "When I started to work on the design for the PlayStation VR2 headset, one of the areas I wanted to focus on first was the idea of creating a vent in the headset to let air out, similar to the vents on the PS5 console that allows airflow".

This small but important design feature can be found between the top and front surfaces of the scope in the final design of the PlayStation VR2.

PS VR2 Features and Specs

According to the PlayStation VR2 product page on the PlayStation website, PS VR2 will feature the following:

This is a huge upgrade from the original PS VR, which had only a 100-degree field of view and a 1920x1080 per eye OLED display. The original PlayStation VR did suffer from graphical issues, including blurry visuals and the screen door effect. These improved specs will hopefully resolve most of them.

Eye Tracking

One of the most exciting new features of PS VR2 is its eye-tracking capabilities. This uses sensors that can detect the movements of your eye, allowing the headset to adjust without the need for the user to move their whole head.

There are VR headsets on the market that currently make use of eye-tracking technology, but they have mainly been business-focused headsets. It will be incredible to see what eye-tracking technology can do for the world of VR gaming.

See-Through View

Another update posted to the PlayStation Blog on July 26, 2022, revealed several more of the PlayStation VR2's key features, one of these being a see-through view feature. The switch from using the PlayStation Eye camera to embedding one in the headset itself allows users to access the PS VR2's camera while still wearing the headset. By touching the function button on the side of the headset, players can turn on the internal camera to view their surroundings.

This feature is a great quality of life improvement. By allowing gamers to check their phone if they are receiving a call or even find their lost PS VR2 controllers without having to remove the headset itself, they will be able to have a more seamless VR gaming experience.

This internal camera is what allows the PS VR's competitor, the Meta Quest 2, to track the movement of players' fingers. This ultimately allows players to use the headset without controllers in compatible games. If you are interested in giving some controller-free VR games a go, check out the best VR games to play without a controller.

Customizable Play Area

Another issue that Sony is addressing with the PS VR2 is the lack of safety features the original PlayStation VR had. Immersion is the name of the game with virtual reality. This makes it incredibly easy to get so involved in your game that you completely lose track of your surroundings.

The game's reality becomes your reality. We have all seen videos online where people become so immersed that they run headfirst into a wall or punch their TV square in the face because they thought it was a face-eating zombie.

The PS VR2 will allow players to create a customizable play area. Using the PlayStation VR2 to map out their surroundings, users can draw a boundary in which they can safely play. The system will alert the player when they are getting close to the edge of the boundary, so they can move back into the safe zone.

Broadcasting

The PS VR2 could also change the game for Twitch streamers. Using the PS5 HD camera, players can stream an image of themselves using their VR headset directly to their streaming service.

The picture of the streamer will be overlayed on top of a feed from the headset itself to give viewers a first-hand account of everything going on during that intense boss battle. This feature will make streaming from the device easier than ever for content creators.

What Games Will Be on the PS VR2?

Tech and specs in VR headsets are great, but what use are they if there are no games to put them to use? Thankfully, this doesn't appear to be an issue with the PS VR2. During the Game & Network Services portion of Sony's 2022 Business Segment Briefings (slide 23), Jim Ryan revealed that PlayStation VR2 would release alongside 20+ first and third-party games at launch.

Some of these games have already been announced, such as Horizon: Call of the Mountain. This game is being developed specifically for the PS VR2 and is a launch title for the new system that takes full advantage of the PlayStation VR2's upgraded features.

A further 11 games for the PS VR2 have been confirmed to come in 2023 in a November 2 PlayStation Blog post. This includes games like The Dark Pictures: Switchback VR and The Light Brigade.

Cinematic Mode

Like the PS VR, you will also be able to play any game with the PS VR2, thanks to its cinematic mode. Cinematic mode allows you to reach peak immersion with any of your favorite PlayStation games and expands the PS VR library tenfold.

It is worth noting, however, that the PS VR2 is PlayStation 5-exclusive hardware, and no original PlayStation VR games will be released on the PlayStation 5. So while you can use the PS VR2 to play backward-compatible PS4 titles on the PS5, the two headsets will not be interchangeable.

You can also use cinematic mode to watch Blu-ray movies through your PlayStation or even stream shows from Netflix and other apps.

Cinematic mode on the PlayStation VR2 will operate in 1920×1080 HDR video format with 24/60Hz and a frame rate of 120HZ.

When Will the PS VR2 Be Released?

Sony confirmed suspicions that the PS VR2 will be available in early 2023, revealing on the PlayStation Blog that the system will be released on February 22, 2023. The November 2 post also confirmed that preorders would be available from November 15.

Unlike most pre-orders, however, gamers will first have to register on the Sony website for the chance to get an invitation to pre-order the PlayStation VR2. Chosen participants will then be contacted by Sony with instructions on how to complete their pre-orders.

How Much Will the PS VR2 Cost?

Many fans were hoping that the PlayStation VR2 would align with the price of its direct competitor, the Meta Quest 2, which has risen to $399.99. This, however, is not the case. It was confirmed on the November 2 PlayStation Blog post that the PS VR2 would cost $549.99.

The price for Sony's latest virtual reality headset is steep. In fact, it is even more expensive than the console required to power it. However, the PS VR2's specs are top of the range, so a high price tag is to be expected.

For players that want to ensure they have a game on release, a Horizon: Call of the Mountain PS VR2 bundle will be available for $599.99.

The PlayStation VR2 Is Almost Here

Now that we have the release date, price, specs, and several games confirmed for the system, it is safe to expect that we know almost everything there is to know about the PS VR2 before its February 22 release.

But it's not over yet, there is still time for even more games to be revealed to beef up the PS VR2 library, and further surprises that the system has up its sleeve could be revealed upon its release in early 2023.