PlayStation VR2 Sales Stumble First 5 Weeks After Launch: Reports

John Lopez, Tech Times 30 March 2023, 03:03 pm

Sony's latest virtual reality headset, the PlayStation VR2, is reportedly failing to live up to the hype surrounding its launch, with early sales figures indicating that it may not be performing as well as its predecessor.

According to research firm IDC, cited by Gamerant in a report, the PS VR2 is projected to sell around 270,000 units in its first five weeks, which is significantly lower than the 915,000 units sold by the original PS VR during a similar time frame.

PS VR2's Pricetag As a Factor

Analysts think that the high price of $550, which is more than either of the other PS5 models and the fact that it needs a PS5 console to work may be keeping people from buying it.

VR analyst Francisco Jeronimo in a Bloomberg report, has even gone so far as to suggest that the PS VR2 may need a price cut to avoid being a complete failure. Sony had set a goal of selling 2 million units during the launch window, but the sales figures indicate it may not meet that target.

IDC explains that the PS VR2 price tag is too lofty, even though the device offers an impressive amount of technology for the price. The slow growth of VR as a whole may also be a contributing factor to its lackluster sales.

Mainstream consumers have yet to embrace virtual reality in the same way they have mobile, console, or PC gaming. If projections for PS VR2 sales are accurate, it could indicate that the public demand for VR is shrinking over time.

According to a Tech Times report, the wearable device is not even tailored for metaverse enthusiasts. It also falls short in offering some of the advanced next-generation applications found in virtual reality. It is also necessary to note that the PS VR2 does not support multiplayer titles.

What's next for PS VR2?

It is uncertain whether the PS VR2 will continue to struggle at its current price point or if Sony will continue to pursue the VR market in the long term. However, a price cut may be necessary for the PS VR2 to succeed in the market.

Despite its underwhelming sales figures, the PS VR2 is still an impressive technology that provides a great VR experience. It will be interesting to see how Sony responds to its performance in the future.

What We Know About the PS VR2

The PS VR2 has many new features and improvements over its predecessor. For example, it has a display with a higher resolution, a wider field of view compared to Quest 2, better eye-tracking, and a more comfortable design.

It also features haptic feedback, which allows users to feel vibrations and other physical sensations in VR, as well as a built-in microphone and headset. However, more than these features may be needed to convince consumers to make the jump to VR.

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