Add Category
Sony PlayStation VR: Ocean Descent
The world of virtual reality is set to explode with the global release of Sony’s PlayStation VR headset just a fortnight away. In the lead-up to the October 13 event, I’ve been trialling VR content that will redefine how games are played on the world’s most popular gaming platform.
In far flung virtual worlds with my body on the line, I battled a huge menacing white-pointer, used my body to steer a luge down runways at thundering speeds, and hid in eerie darkness in a haunted house to avoid a menacing evil woman.
This isn’t gaming on a TV played with a handheld console at a safe distance. In VR you are completely immersed in a new world. Instead of driving a moonbuggy on a TV, you are inside that moonbuggy sitting at the console, and when it moves so it seems you do. When it crashes, you crash too.
There’s no pain or injury, but your body’s physiology can kick in. So when that huge shark headed for me, I had an adrenaline rush like there’s no tomorrow.
VR is a quantum leap for Sony which has sold almost 400 million PlayStation gaming consoles in 22 years. If you factor in handheld consoles such as Vita and PlayStation Portable it’s almost half a billion. But none of it was VR. This is an epoch shift.
Driveclub VR
From October 13 players who own the 44 million PlayStation 4 consoles out there can pay $549.95 for a headset and VR functionality. Add $89 if you don’t have a PS4 camera. It tracks head movements and replicates them in the virtual world.
You also need headphones — any set with a 3.5mm plug will do. And you use standard Sony DualShock 4 controllers. If you want to grab hold of objects in virtual worlds, there are move controllers.
ANZ managing director at Sony Computer Entertainment Michael Ephraim estimated you would pay about $1000 to set this up from scratch if you don’t have a PS4. Mr Ephraim said day one quantities were sold, but kits pre ordered now would arrive before Christmas. There would be midnight opening of some stores on October 13.
Tech journalist Chris Griffith plays Driverclub VR in virtual reality
Sony is late to market with VR headsets compared to Oculus VR and HTC/Steam whose headsets sold from early this year. But Sony has a clear business model: VR gaming. About 25 to 30 games will sell at launch and 50 games by year’s end. Around 100 publishers are working on VR content for Sony, Mr Ephraim said. Games would cost from $30 to $90.
Although VR is mostly a solo experience, it’s best to have a friend help put on your headset and pass you the DualShock controller. I found the headset easy to adjust with its 2 buttons. It was comfortable and vision clear even without reading glasses.
Sony PlayStation VR
I trialled several VR games during a preview event at EB Expo, under way at Sydney Showground. One was Driveclub VR with a gaming wheel. I experienced several unnerving skids and feared a collision due to the realism of being inside the car.
Five minutes later I was in deep space swishing left to right fighting off aliens in dogfights in Eve: Valkyrie.
Then it was horror and gore with Resident Evil 7: Biohazard. I was desperately trying to escape a derelict plantation homestead in Middle America. So many experiences in such a short time. It was exhausting.
Sony PlayStation VR - Eve: Valkyrie
The VR box comes with a demo disk of 8 titles. One is PlayStation VR Worlds with its five experiences. They include that terrifying white-pointer encounter in Ocean Descent, VR Luge and The London Heist, where you’re pursued in a getaway car.
I felt gaming is only the beginning of what this fledgling VR experience will offer.
Farpoint: PlayStation VR game