Sony Exec Calls PSVR 2 'Important' But Not Its 'Core Proposition' For 2023

[Gamernyc78]

Sony Calls PSVR 2 'Important' But Not Its 'Core Proposition'

Sony reaffirmed that PSVR 2 is "important to us," but explained its not their 'core proposition' this season.

www.uploadvr.com

A Sony exec reaffirmed that PSVR 2 is "important to us," but explained it's not the "core proposition" this season.

In a recent interview with Barron's (paywall), Eric Lempel, Senior Vice President, Head of Global Marketing, Sales & Business Operations at PlayStation, was questioned about the sales outlook for PS5 and PSVR 2 this holiday season. Calling the PS5 outlook "really strong," he calls VR a "category that can help with innovation" before calling PS5 the core focus.

Here's the full quote:

The VR category is important to us. It’s a category that can help us with innovation. It’s never going to be the only way people play games, but I’m happy that we’re in it. There are great experiences to be had and consumers really like it. But it’s a nascent business for us. It’s something that we want to be a part of but it’s not the core proposition we have this season. PlayStation 5 is the core.

Considering VR still fights for mainstream adoption, Lempel's comments aren't particularly surprising. In May, Sony confirmed PSVR 2 sold 600k units from its late February launch up until April, while PS5 surpassed 40 million units in July after launching in November 2020. The two aren't directly comparable despite PSVR 2 requiring PS5, but it's not hard to see why Sony is prioritizing the latter.

Despite a strong launch line-up with Horizon, Gran Turismo 7, Resident Evil Village and more, there's been vocal criticism about PSVR 2's library ever since. Firewall Ultra received mixed reviews in August, there are currently no revealed upcoming 1st party games and recent last-minute indefinite delays for Vertigo 2 and Phasmophobia will only deepen frustrations.

With the recent Quest 3 launch putting these issues into greater perspective, Lempel's comments will likely do little to encourage existing PSVR 2 owners.

 

[ToTTenTranz]

Well screw you too, Eric.

 

[Gamernyc78]

Well screw you too, Eric.

I want one or two AAA Sony PSVR2 games and this doesn't make me feel like we going to get them anytime soon. I mean of course it isn't their core focus as it is a peripheral but damnnnn say something to have me optimistic about future titles.

 

[Gods&Monsters]

Well screw you too, Eric.

Did you read the full quote? He doesn't say anything bad. It makes sense that PS5 is the core business. Duh.

 

[Gamernyc78]

Did you read the full quote? He doesn't say anything bad. It makes sense that PS5 is the core business. Duh.

I read it all too and it's common sense what he's saying but he didn't say shit to dazzle me about psvr2! Like "we have some good ganes in development to tajevadavavtage of the tech" type shit i want to hear!

 

[Zzero]

Well screw you too, Eric.

Serves you right for believing in a peripheral.

 

[Jim Ryan]

Eric is doing the rounds....

 

[Entropi]

Even then there is quite good content for PSVR2 right now.

 

[Gamernyc78]

Even then there is quite good content for PSVR2 right now.

That I agree. There's actually alot of games given so many games have been ported over.

 

[Gods&Monsters]

I read it all too and it's common sense what he's saying but he didn't say shit to dazzle me about psvr2! Like "we have some good ganes in development to tajevadavavtage of the tech" type shit i want to hear!

The Foglands just came out today. Not good enough?

It's like people want TLOU3, GOT2 and Bloodborne 2 in VR right now or they are not satisfied.

 

[Gamernyc78]

The Foglands just came out today. Not good enough?

It's like people want TLOU3, GOT2 and Bloodborne 2 in VR right now or they are not satisfied.

Nah you know what's good enough for me? Something like an Astrobot Rescue Mission that was a goty contender and made me love the series. Pardon me if I want my $500 peripheral to have more bust out, AAA exclusive games or at least to hear about them or they are being worked on and not just ports upon ports. I think you and I had a similar convo before and it went nowhere but guess what? I'm a consumer that bought and Spent hundreds on it already so they better listen. I remember comments like yours when Vita first released and we know how tht ended. The defense brigade is strong but I know why I purchased it and what I want if I wanted just random games from developers I would have just kept using my Meta Quest

 

[Umar]

Not the most encouraging thing to say. Makes sense since its a niche device but they also need to support it with more games and price cuts and avoid another ps vita situation. They need to announce first party games for it and do some price cuts for it as well.

 

[Gamernyc78]

The Foglands just came out today. Not good enough?

It's like people want TLOU3, GOT2 and Bloodborne 2 in VR right now or they are not satisfied.

And nah this might be OK for you but Def not what I'm looking for. I dont settle for bs.

 

[Gamernyc78]

Not the most encouraging thing to say. Makes sense since its a niche device but they also need to support it with more games and price cuts and avoid another ps vita situation. They need to announce first party games for it and do some price cuts for it as well.

At least mention they are in development, we don't even get that! Then you have ppl defending the lack of info like it's OK. It's a &fucking $500 or more piece of tech as a company you need to convince me wtf I spent that money!

 

[ToTTenTranz]

Did you read the full quote? He doesn't say anything bad. It makes sense that PS5 is the core business. Duh.

I read the full quote and it pretty much says they're not going to invest in PSVR2, ever. Zero mentions of future games or features.
It's the most advanced VR headset of 2023, it's super expensive as a console peripheral and they're just leaving it to die like they did with the Vita.

Them not releasing a PSVR2 mode on all their 2023+ 1st party titles is just malpractice, but they don't give a fuck and they're being pretty blunt about it.

 

[Abdizur]

This does not sound good. They said the same stuff when the PS VITA was struggling.
The PSVR2 came and went. And no big 1st party games are in sight. This thing is dying.

 

[Say1nMan]

For VR to break out of its niche label developers would need to push it forward with how they develop game for the device. Games that aren't tech demo-ish experiences but MORE actual true experiences that we get on consoles. However, so far I think most developers have yet to crack that code. With VR it's about the long game and the question for Sony is are they willing to stick it out for however long or will they fall back and monitor the market moving forward and dip back in if VR breaks out?

 

[MiyazakiLovesKojima]

Half Life: ALYX or bust.

Also, where are the heavy hitting PSVR1 exclusives?

 

[ChorizoPicozo]

uh....2023 is almost over....that is pretty clear

 

[anonpuffs]

Instead of chasing GAAS why don't they have some of their second teams port over their single player games to VR2

Last of Us VR, first person ghost of Tsushima, days gone in VR, infamous in VR, they have a lot of IP that could make the headset a must-buy and really get more people into the ecosystem

Can't be less sales than they're getting on PC