PlayStation VR to Arrive in October for $399

[Lizzy Finnegan]

PlayStation VR to Arrive in October for $399


PlayStation VR will arrive in October 2016 for $399.

It was announced today that PlayStation VR will be arriving in October 2016. While the release date has been delayed several months, from June to October, the announcement also came alongside a very welcome fact - the headset will cost $399. However, the price tag doesn't appear to account for the Tech Insider [http://www.amazon.com/PlayStation-4-Camera/dp/B00BGAA3S2] reports that a bundle with the camera and Move controller will be available, although no price point was given.

"Today more than 230 developers are building content for PlayStation VR, from smaller independent teams to larger studios at the industry's top publishers," reads a post on PlayStation's blog [http://blog.us.playstation.com/2016/03/15/playstation-vr-launching-october-for-399/]. "We expect to have more than 50 games available from launch in October 2016 until the end of the year. Of course, the full promise of PlayStation VR will continue to grow over time as talented developers create new experiences and new genres that wouldn't be possible outside of VR. The future looks bright indeed."

"Additionally, The Playroom VR, from our very own Japan Studio, will be available as a free download from PlayStation Store for all PS VR owners at launch," the post continues. "The Playroom VR will include six games that can be enjoyed with friends and family, demonstrating why we believe VR can also be an impactful experience when it's shared."

President and Global CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment Andrew House said: "For over two decades we have aspired to take gamers somewhere greater, and we believe that virtual reality is the next step on that journey and will usher in an entirely new era of gaming."

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[Kreett]

Huh, that's actually a sum I could probably set aside to get one. Could've been cheaper but after oculus and vive it's like they're just giving them away

 

[Remus]

Huh, that's actually a sum I could probably set aside to get one. Could've been cheaper but after oculus and vive it's like they're just giving them away

Agreed. $400 is modest in comparison to the PC rigs. I'll have to wait and see what games are being released that could get the most out of a console setup but if there's enough meat there, this could be my entry VR set.

 

[dragongit]

Huh, that's actually a sum I could probably set aside to get one. Could've been cheaper but after oculus and vive it's like they're just giving them away

They probably made it as cheap as they possibly could. I know a guy who works at Sony that said the most they could charge was maybe 400, if they were more then what the PS4 was at launch no one would buy it.Granted it's about another 100 dollars for the camera and move controllers, but it's probably still at a cost to the company.

This will likely be the entry level for VR this generation. Unless you've already invested in a 1000-2000 dollar rig plus the 600-800 for a PC VR set, you'll likely only need to pay 900 bucks for the full experience on the PS4.

 

[Saltyk]

I was afraid it would be that much. It's not ridiculously expensive, but it's on the high end to me. I'd have to see some games that support VR and that the VR actually improves in some way. Only then could I even consider spending some $500 for VR gaming.

 

[xaszatm]

Huh, that's actually a sum I could probably set aside to get one. Could've been cheaper but after oculus and vive it's like they're just giving them away

Keep in mind that you still have to buy a PS camera at minimum. Now, this will only raise it to $449 so it's still the best bargain for the VR systems with the Occulus Rift at $499.

The biggest problem for me personally is that, while the cheapest option, the PSVR is still a $399/$449 peripheral for a console and we all know how we console peripherals sell (hint: it's nothing). I don't know, I've seen people say how this will have an at least 50% attach rate but that price... I really, really want this to take off and I hope it does but past peripheral data is not in their favor. Still, I'm personally buying one so hopefully the games are good.

 

[xaszatm]

double post ignore

 

[Bob_McMillan]

Still weird to buy a peripheral that costs more than the console itself, but whatever. Could have been worse.

I'm still going to wait until they come up with actual VR before getting in to it.

 

[Guitarmasterx7]

About what I expected but a bit steeper than it should be IMO. It bears repeating that the Gear VR runs 100 and that uses a samsung screen and some mirrors (though its possible they sell those at a loss to move more galaxy phones.) I think at 200-250, almost anyone with a PS4 would buy one. At 400 + the camera (which I assume is mandatory) I could really only see enthusiasts picking it up and people who are on the fence will probably be left waiting for a significant price drop or sufficient reason to buy it, which may come far too late if ever at all. Sony has a record of leaving things that don't have a high initial consumer uptake to just flounder and die, and I think at this price point it's too expensive to take a risk on it.

On top of that, it won't have the community support and user created content that the oculus will on PC. VR games don't necessarily have to be as exciting or high octane as most games tend to be now and walking simulators and stuff seem to be doable on an indie budget which means...
Ok who am I kidding here. Porn. Let's be real here, you're buying a 600 dollar oculus rift to play Hawken and TF2? I'm sure that's half the reason most people are interested in VR. Even if VR porn games start cropping up on the PS4 marketplace, PSN tells your friends everything you play and permanently catalogs it with trophies.

BASICALLY their one surefire edge on the competition is price, and I don't think the 200 dollar difference is significant enough.