Bloomberg: Sony PSVR2 Headset Off to Slow Start, “price cut may be needed to avoid complete disaster”

Atheerios · Mar 29, 2023

View: https://twitter.com/6d6f636869/status/1641282270035320834?s=46&t=2LWFFBkfpCYxvdsK4CkzBw

Sony Group Corp. is projected to sell fewer than 300,000 PlayStation VR2 headsets in its first weeks on the market, a slow start for company efforts to take a leading role in development of the metaverse.

The Tokyo-based console maker is likely to sell about 270,000 units of the PSVR2 between its Feb. 22 release and the end of March, according to estimates from the research firm IDC. Sony had a lofty goal of making about 2 million units for the PSVR2's launch window, Bloomberg News reported last year.

Sony PSVR2 Headset Off to Slow Start as Metaverse Push Sputters

Sony Group Corp. is projected to sell fewer than 300,000 PlayStation VR2 headsets in its first weeks on the market, a slow start for company efforts to take a leading role in development of the metaverse.

www.bloomberg.com

demosthenes · Mar 29, 2023

That's disappointing. I want to get one eventually. Hope this doesn't curtail support.

Deleted member 93062 · Mar 29, 2023

Glad Takashi sourced someone else before he gets cooked after his earlier PSVR2 article about reduced production. 😅

Milennia · Mar 29, 2023

Wringing my hands because I waited for this very moment to pull the trigger

Kalentan · Mar 29, 2023

PlayStation VR2 headsets in its first weeks on the market, a slow start for company efforts to take a leading role in development of the metaverse.

...It's hard to take the article serious when I don't even think Sony has mentioned metaverse once in regards to PSVR2.

AMAGON · Mar 29, 2023

As a slowly turned casual gamer lately, I roll my eyes watching the commercial with Ozzy. Doesn't sale me on the product.

ezidro3 · Mar 29, 2023

Wonder if Sony will specifically deny the article like they've done for seemingly every other Bloomberg report about them lol

Shoichi · Mar 29, 2023

I'd consider one if it was like $299-349 especially if they unlock pc compatibly but the price it is now is a no go for me. There are a couple games I'd be willing to try (Horizon, GT, etc) but not for the launch price it was given

Unfortunately the VR hype train wave faded unless it's a reasonably affordable all in one wireless headset like the Meta/Oculus Quest line.

Sony will need some good incentives to motivate those not already having purchased their headset. Playing games already available on PC/Meta Store won't push those already into VR to get another headset

Deleted member 93062 · Mar 29, 2023

As badass as the tech for PSVR2 is, I knew VR was struggling when PSVR2's launch lineup was described as "the best ever for a VR headset." There really needs to be a company out there that is willing to invest to get some must play games on VR. It's going to be Nintendo, isn't it...?

If I were Sony, I would sell PC drivers for whatever it cost to make a profit on the headset. Get more people into high end VR ➡️Get more developers making higher end VR games. Rising tide lifts all boats type beat.

BabyDontHurtMe · Mar 29, 2023

VR has never really been a mainstream concept for general audiences. It has always catered to a niche demographic who are interested in investing in it and while the tech certainly shows promise, the market simply isn't there yet for widespread adoption and support.

TimPV3 · Mar 29, 2023

I'm not shocked at all. What's surprising to me is how many physical PSVR2 games they're shipping out to die.

Rosebud · Mar 29, 2023

For me it absolutely needed total BC with PSVR 1 and PC support, can't justify it otherwise

vivftp · Mar 29, 2023

Just quoting myself from the PS OT:

Lesse, Takashi originally reports the 2 million figure, then Takashi reports Sony has slashed that figure and will produce less (which Sony denies), and now Takashi reports Sony hasn't hit the figure and things are dire.

Yeah, I ain't believing a damned thing Takashi has to say.

writhingcorpse897 · Mar 29, 2023

I still remember when VR was supposed to take gaming by storm. Still waiting for that moment.

Chrno · Mar 29, 2023

def need a price drop/headset selling game before I could think about it.

DC5remy · Mar 29, 2023

For gt7 alone it's still worth it. I would have 0 regrets if that's the only good VR experience I get out of it.

Keyser S · Mar 29, 2023

I understand the tech involved necessitates a high price, but I am really waiting for something around $350 before I even touch it (which would be a crazy reduction)

If it does not get a decent price reduction, they need to offer consistent monthly PSPlus PSVR2 games to make it worthwhile

Mocha Joe · Mar 29, 2023

I thought it would have sold a lot better, good lord thats dire. Like I was thinking 500K would be good even for it. But 270K ? woof

JadedGhost · Mar 29, 2023

Needs a software roadmap. I have one but am concerned due to how little we know about future projects

BabyDontHurtMe · Mar 29, 2023

vivftp said:
Just quoting myself from the PS OT:

Lesse, Takashi originally reports the 2 million figure, then Takashi reports Sony has slashed that figure and will produce less (which Sony denies), and now Takashi reports Sony hasn't hit the figure and things are dire.

Yeah, I ain't believing a damned thing Takashi has to say.

I mean say what you will about his track record, I personally don't find it implausible that the PSVR2 won't sell too well.

fracas · Mar 29, 2023

Hopefully it gets turned around - the tech looks impressive. It's just way overpriced for me. A Quest 2 offers the best of both worlds with PC and standalone games at a much lower price point.

Instro · Mar 29, 2023

VR market came and went about as quickly as 3D TVs.

Deleted member 93062 · Mar 29, 2023

vivftp said:
Just quoting myself from the PS OT:

Lesse, Takashi originally reports the 2 million figure, then Takashi reports Sony has slashed that figure and will produce less (which Sony denies), and now Takashi reports Sony hasn't hit the figure and things are dire.

Yeah, I ain't believing a damned thing Takashi has to say.

Takashi isn't the one reporting numbers here. He's just reporting what an industry analyst from a reputable firm is saying.

RedHeat · Mar 29, 2023

I'm shocked it sold that much. They barely advertised the thing!

Indelible · Mar 29, 2023

It is over $800 Canadian for the Horizon bundle, I'am open to checking it out but not for that ridiculous price.

St. Elmo's Fire · Mar 29, 2023

For me it's just too expensive. It costs more than the PS5 console.

sibarraz · Mar 29, 2023

Played with at a friends house and loved it but the price is absurd

MrPink · Mar 29, 2023

Personally I'll jump in at $400 but assume it'll be a failed venture with minimal support by the time we get there.

LightKiosk · Mar 29, 2023

Wonder where it'd be if it was available at other retailers besides PS Direct.

Hellwarden · Mar 29, 2023

I forgot that it came out tbh.

Gavalanche · Mar 29, 2023

I can believe it. I don't think Sony will drop the price, but I believe it for sure.

Viale · Mar 29, 2023

Gonna be real, after the quest, I can't see myself ever going back to a tethered headset.

mysteriousmage09 · Mar 29, 2023

They did it too early. Should have waited until year 4 to release this.

Ridley327 · Mar 29, 2023

Less than 300k HMDs doesn't really sound that bad for how limited its availability is for being able to purchase one, and I would probably challenge the writer on whether that 2 million is an actual Sony target as I don't think that matches up with their release strategy at all. If Sony felt that they could have pushed 2 million units by the end of spring, it would have been at retail day 1 and not at just PS Direct.

That said, VR definitely has hit a snag as of late in terms of being the talk of the town, and I'm not sure what more Sony can do other than provide software that will turn heads. By all accounts, the launch lineup has been filled with a lot of great experiences, but nothing that feels like it can grab people the same way Beat Saber did for the Quest (and not having Beat Saber day 1 does feel like a bit of an own goal, trickiness of working with Meta aside) to get them to invest in some very expensive hardware.

Gentlemen · Mar 29, 2023

vivftp said:
Just quoting myself from the PS OT:

Lesse, Takashi originally reports the 2 million figure, then Takashi reports Sony has slashed that figure and will produce less (which Sony denies), and now Takashi reports Sony hasn't hit the figure and things are dire.

Yeah, I ain't believing a damned thing Takashi has to say.

Takahashi works for IDC, the source of the analysis?

Qvoth · Mar 29, 2023

Disco Infernal · Mar 29, 2023

Too expensive, it's wired, and the choice of games is lame. Color me shocked.

Cow Mengde · Mar 29, 2023

But, Era told me VR was the future, and it will hit mainstream anytime now.

Hasney · Mar 29, 2023

LightKiosk said:
Wonder where it'd be if it was available at other retailers besides PS Direct.

At least better than it is. No idea what they were thinking, other than bold faced arrogance thinking they didn't need presence on other store websites.

Android Sophia · Mar 29, 2023

The asking price is way too much when you consider there's no backwards compatibility with PSVR1, and thus no upgrade path for said owners. Add in the high cost of ownership as you need a PS5 too, limited availability as it's only available from the PS Direct, and no PC compatibility (even Oculus/Facebook recognized the importance of this) and you have a device that's not that appealing.

Kalentan · Mar 29, 2023

Ridley327 said:
Less than 300k HMDs doesn't really sound that bad for how limited its availability is for being able to purchase one, and I would probably challenge the writer on whether that 2 million is an actual Sony target as I don't think that matches up with their release strategy at all. If Sony felt that they could have pushed 2 million units by the end of spring, it would have been at retail day 1 and not at just PS Direct.

That said, VR definitely has hit a snag as of late in terms of being the talk of the town, and I'm not sure what more Sony can do other than provide software that will turn heads. By all accounts, the launch lineup has been filled with a lot of great experiences, but nothing that feels like it can grab people the same way Beat Saber did for the Quest (and not having Beat Saber day 1 does feel like a bit of an own goal, trickiness of working with Meta aside) to get them to invest in some very expensive hardware.

It should be noted that the 2 million number is something only ever Bloomberg reported, not something Sony actually claimed.

Disco Infernal said:
Too expensive, it's wired, and the choice of games is lame. Color me shocked.

Right, they should have made it wireless and even more expensive so then people would still complain about the price.

TΛPIVVΛ · Mar 29, 2023

Still haven't gotten it yet but will eventually with a price cut or Alyx(copium) or if the community shoehornes some proper pc support. I'm still going through my PSVR1 catalogue, It's very impressive tech though!

Wil Grieve · Mar 29, 2023

No shit.

It costs as much as a Steam Deck or an Oculus Quest (which is wireless) and also requires you to have a PS5

Unmoddable Beat Saber

Not wireless

Where is the value proposition

TimPV3 · Mar 29, 2023

RedHeat said:
I'm shocked it sold that much. They barely advertised the thing!

Is it available to purchase anywhere but PS Direct? They couldn't have had high hopes for it in that case.

vivftp · Mar 29, 2023

BabyDontHurtMe said:
I mean say what you will about his track record, I personally don't find it implausible that the PSVR2 won't sell too well.

Still prefer to wait for official sources or sources with better track records. As for sales, we're talking about the first 5 weeks of sales. The PS5 itself has only been picking up traction these past few months and the PSVR2 is entirely dependent upon PS5 ownership. Not to mention Sony hasn't even done a showcase for their next "phase" of software both for the PS5 and PSVR2 yet. We can only guess where it'll end up, but it's hardly a case for concern after just 5 weeks.

Sullivan said:
Takashi isn't the one reporting numbers here. He's just reporting what an industry analyst from a reputable firm is saying.

Well that's one step better then. Still, I stand by what I wrote several lines up.

Grips · Mar 29, 2023

I have it and I play maybe 2-3 times a week, Its amazing everytime but niche.

Precious Tritium · Mar 29, 2023

It's not too expensive for what it is but it's definitely too expensive to take off sales wise.

Kawngi · Mar 29, 2023

Price is just too high for me to justify without really any content available for it that I'm interested in. I don't think anything has been announced for it that I'm fiending for either.

srtrestre · Mar 29, 2023

Yowza, that's rough if true

shadowsdarknes · Mar 29, 2023

I really think the system needs more big name games in VR.

-Fund GTA 5 VR and GTA 6 VR
-Destiny 2 in VR
-MLB the Show in VR
-A social VR sports game. Let my friends and I hit some golf balls and have a good laugh.

Bloomberg: Sony PSVR2 Headset Off to Slow Start, “price cut may be needed to avoid complete disaster”

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