The PSVR2 design has been revealed – secret vents, PlayStation symbols and more

Sony has revealed the design of the PlayStation VR2 headset, and it looks really quite snazzy, taking the design from the original PlayStation VR to a new generation that matches the PlayStation 5.

Sony cites the PS5 family as the key inspiration, making sure that it matches the new console while emphasising more roundness to the headset itself. PSVR2 follows the same philosophy as the original PSVR in terms of how you wear it, with a halo that rings your head and effectively dangles the screen in front of your head. Meanwhile, the smooth white outer shell reveals the four built in cameras that are used for the new generation’s ‘inside out’ tracking model, so that you will not need to have an external camera to use the headset. Not only that, but you will only need a single USB-C cable to connect to the PlayStation 5 in order to play.

Hideaki Nishino, Senior Vice President of Platform Experience, writes:

Our goal is to create a headset that will not only become an attractive part of your living room decor, but will also keep you immersed in your game world, to the point where you almost forget you are using a headset or controller. That’s why we paid very close attention to the ergonomics of the headset and conducted extensive testing to ensure a comfortable feel for a variety of head sizes. We already had a lot of positive feedback on the ergonomics of the first PS VR headset by carefully balancing the headset weight and having a simple headband that can be adjustable, so we kept the same concept for the PS VR2 headset.

A couple of smaller details you might not spot are that, in addition to a physical lens positioning dial, there’s a new vent in the headset, just above the main white faceplate, with the intention of letting air out. This is a quirk intended to avoid fogging up of the lenses as players wear and inevitably add to the heat and moisture in the headset. The headset also has thousands of tiny PlayStation symbols on the front and back bands of the PSVR2 headset, just like the PS5 console and DualSense controller. Speaking of hidden features, the PSVR2 touts internal eye tracking as well, to enhance how you can look around and interact with the game worlds.

Sony has already detailed a lot of the technical specs of the PSVR2, as well as previously diving into details of the PlayStation VR2 Sense controller and how it adapts DualSense technology to replace the decade-old PlayStation Move.

Earlier in February, Sony opened up sign ups for pre-order information for the PlayStation VR2. An insider has reported that PSVR 2 production was about to start ramping up in China, indicating the units should be on sale this year. No official release date or price has been announced, but it’s clear that Sony is rapidly building up to more big announcements for the headset.

Here are the PSVR 2 tech specs taken from the PSVR 2 pre-order site:

• Visual Fidelity: For a high-fidelity visual experience, PS VR2 offers 4K HDR, 110-degree field of view, and foveated rendering. With an OLED display, players can expect a display resolution of 2000×2040 per eye and smooth frame rates of 90/120Hz.
• Headset-based Controller Tracking: With inside-out tracking, PS VR2 tracks you and your controller through integrated cameras embedded in the VR headset. Your movements and the direction you look at are reflected in-game without the need for an external camera.
• New Sensory Features: PS VR2 Sense Technology combines eye tracking, headset feedback, 3D Audio, and the innovative PS VR2 Sense controller to create an incredibly deep feeling of immersion. Headset feedback is a new sensory feature that amplifies the sensations of in-game actions from the player. It’s created by a single built-in motor with vibrations that add an intelligent tactile element, bringing players closer to the gameplay experience. For example, gamers can feel a character’s elevated pulse during tense moments, the rush of objects passing close to the character’s head, or the thrust of a vehicle as the character speeds forward. Additionally, PS5’s Tempest 3D AudioTech makes sounds in the player’s surroundings come alive, adding to this new level of immersion.
• Eye Tracking: With eye tracking, PS VR2 detects the motion of your eyes, so a simple look in a specific direction can create an additional input for the game character. This allows players to interact more intuitively in new and lifelike ways, allowing for a heightened emotional response and enhanced expression that provide a new level of realism in gaming.

Source: PlayStation Blog