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

The Lord of Cereal · Mar 29, 2023

I'm not shocked. It's more expensive than the console itself, doesn't have BC with PSVR1 and ultimately doesn't really have a killer app.

Also I feel like it's had very little marketing presence, I don't think I've seen any real advertisements about PSVR2 like I would see for the PS5 or even the first gen PSVR

LightKiosk · Mar 29, 2023

Hasney said:
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.

It's possible this is around what Sony forecasted when knowingly keeping it stuck on PS Direct. I'm pretty sure the DualSense Edge got a nice bump after going to other retailers so I'm not sure what the holdup is for PSVR2.

BabyDontHurtMe · Mar 29, 2023

vivftp said:
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.

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

Yeah it's early and all but I wouldn't be surprised if it struggles to get close to three million by 2025.

Fat4all · Mar 29, 2023

is 300k sold in one week for an accessory more expensive than the console you need to use it really that bad?

Disco Infernal · Mar 29, 2023

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

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

Or not wasted their time on it at all.

gozu · Mar 29, 2023

Wil Grieve said:
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

Makes perfect sense to me...

wwm0nkey · Mar 29, 2023

I'd buy it in a heartbeat if it supported PCVR

vivftp · Mar 29, 2023

Fat4all said:
is 300k sold in one week for an accessory more expensive than the console you need to use it really that bad?

One month (well, more like 5 weeks)

jkk411 · Mar 29, 2023

Fat4all said:
is 300k sold in one week for an accessory more expensive than the console you need to use it really that bad?

I have no idea how to contextualize this data. This thing isn't even available at US retailers yet.

Poimandres · Mar 29, 2023

Proper PC support is it's only chance at success imo.

PaulloDEC · Mar 29, 2023

I refuse to believe Sony didn't know this was going to be a slow burn. It was a very expensive, niche product with few or no heavy hitters at launch (depending on who you ask).

Gavalanche · Mar 29, 2023

Fat4all said:
is 300k sold in one week for an accessory more expensive than the console you need to use it really that bad?

When you make apparently 2 million probably? But yeah I would have thought 300k was fine for something that expensive and niche. Depends what their expectation was.

Mudo · Mar 29, 2023

Super bummer. It's great tech and I've had a ton of fun so far. But it sounds like the price is maybe outside what's needed … even if the tech is top of the line stuff.

Since I own a PSVR2 now, I hope it does catch on and gets some real support. If this thing dies in a year.
, I may be done buying in to VR hardware on day 1. I want it to succeed but I need software support long term to make it worth the steep price

TheDutchSlayer · Mar 29, 2023

PC drivers when?

But seriously this is a shame headset seems amazing, but PC VR is so much better options truly hope that drivers are in the works.

Evoker · Mar 29, 2023

The marketing has been terrible. Only sold it through their online store. I thought that there would be a blowout event to demonstrate what's coming at launch. Instead they decided to just announce everything via their blog. Then add the high price plus needing a PS5. No wonder it's not doing well.

DeliciousSunnyD! · Mar 29, 2023

VR is still too niche. It's just the reality, at least until the theoretical hardware barrier becomes much less obvious/intrusive and/or the technology becomes even more mature.

Like a professor of mine in college said: "How many people really want to have a piece of equipment on their face/head when engaging with an activity where a majority are just looking to relax?"

There's undeniably a market for VR. I just think it's going to be tough going for awhile to break beyond the "extreme enthusiast" barrier.

Like, I was pretty damn interested in VR at the onset of Oculus and their dev kit way back. But since then I've just lost interest pretty much, despite the hardware and software developing massively in the time since.

BoxManLocke · Mar 29, 2023

Cutting-edge technology is great.

Not pricing out 99% of the people who aren't hardcore enthusiasts of a niche market is better.

What's funny is that they actually got that one right with PSVR1.

Fat4all · Mar 29, 2023

vivftp said:
One month (well, more like 5 weeks)

no, one week, its in the article

joshcam19 · Mar 29, 2023

If true… that's a bummer. PSVR2 has been a real bright spot in my gaming to start the year and if it doesn't do well, I worry about VR's future in the console space.

Seik · Mar 29, 2023

wwm0nkey said:
I'd buy it in a heartbeat if it supported PCVR

Yup, would've sold my Quest 2 to get this.

But to buy this at the PS5's MSRP (even more) to use solely on the PS5 is lol no territory. VR headsets need to be open to succeed, considering how limited the whole VR library is, not the other way around.

Kalentan · Mar 29, 2023

Disco Infernal said:
Or not wasted their time on it at all.

Well hey, people who actually own it are having fun with it.

But actually I agree, Sony needs to be taking less risks and using the money from VR to produce more safe games that people will then complain about being too safe.

vivftp · Mar 29, 2023

jkk411 said:
I have no idea how to contextualize this data. This thing isn't even available at US retailers yet.

Indeed, if things were indeed dire then one would think Sony would open up sales to general retailers in the regions where it's only available through Sony Direct.

We've got a month until Sony's annual report, we'll see if PSVR2 is mentioned there and if its performance has lined up with their expectations.

kadotsu · Mar 29, 2023

If it fails, I hope that resources are reallocated quickly.

Deleted member 93062 · Mar 29, 2023

shadowsdarknes said:
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.

I feel like VR needs more VR-dedicated games rather than hybrid games like you suggest. Don't get me wrong, I'd insta-buy a PSVR2 headset if we got something like Wolverine in VR, but I think VR really needs more Half Life Alyx-type games (games designed for VR). Issue is, it's very risky to invest in that.

Servbot24 · Mar 29, 2023

I'm a little confused why they even made it if they weren't going to bother marketing it.

Cantaim · Mar 29, 2023

I know Mat Piscatella has said that he is sticking to his forecast of single digit attach rate for PSVR 2 recently as well. Not an ideal scenario to be in.

Hasney · Mar 29, 2023

LightKiosk said:
It's possible this is around what Sony forecasted when knowingly keeping it stuck on PS Direct. I'm pretty sure the DualSense Edge got a nice bump after going to other retailers so I'm not sure what the holdup is for PSVR2.

I'd have thought they would have wanted to at least sell out their first production run, especially the way they were handling pre orders. Keeping it very limited and by invite only, then just getting wider and wider leading up to launch and it was still available for pre order the day before launch. That's the barometer I've been working with rather than the targets Blomberg talked about.

As for what the hold up is, it might be stores themselves. If they're forced to miss out on launch when sales would be at their highest, they're going to need incentives to have a big box item sitting in a warehouse if it isn't selling well.

HeavenlyE · Mar 29, 2023

Find it hard to believe Sony thought they'd sell 2 million in a month when they sold less than 1 million PSVR's in 4 months

CloseTalker · Mar 29, 2023

Doesn't matter how good the tech is or what the price is relative to other headsets. The optics of a headset that costs more than the console is going to look absolutely bonkers to consumers.

Considering you need to buy other, sometimes full price games for it, you're essentially just asking people to buy another PS5.

And none of that is even touching on the topic of if people are excited about VR in the first place.

Disco Infernal · Mar 29, 2023

Kalentan said:
Well hey, people who actually own it are having fun with it.

But actually I agree, Sony needs to be taking less risks and using the money from VR to produce more safe games that people will then complain about being too safe.

Yes, games people will actually buy because they're on a platform that isn't stupidly conceived and priced.

vivftp · Mar 29, 2023

Fat4all said:
no, one week, its in the article

Seems to indicate a roughly 5 week period:

"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."

Fat4all · Mar 29, 2023

vivftp said:
Seems to indicate a roughly 5 week period:

"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."

ah, you're right, i misread that part

joshcam19 · Mar 30, 2023

BoxManLocke said:
Cutting-edge technology is great.

Not pricing out 99% of the people who aren't hardcore enthusiasts of a niche market is better.

What's funny is that they actually got that one right with PSVR1.

It's actually a good value for the quality of the tech but we've allowed everyone to push the narrative that it's too expensive, even though they are comparing to an inferior product in Quest that basically uses phone architecture. I'm glad Sony didn't settle. As much as I like PSVR1, having an underpowered device that used a generation old input device in the move controllers really hampered enjoyment.

jakomocha · Mar 30, 2023

It needs HL Alyx and to be $100-150 cheaper for me to buy it

Spork4000 · Mar 30, 2023

Hasney said:
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.

Probably couldn't afford it?

Retailers get a cut of hardware sold, and if they couldn't fit that markup into their target price I can understand why they did what they did.

LightKiosk · Mar 30, 2023

Hasney said:
I'd have thought they would have wanted to at least sell out their first production run, especially the way they were handling pre orders. Keeping it very limited and by invite only, then just getting wider and wider leading up to launch and it was still available for pre order the day before launch. That's the barometer I've been working with rather than the targets Blomberg talked about.

As for what the hold up is, it might be stores themselves. If they're forced to miss out on launch when sales would be at their highest, they're going to need incentives to have a big box item sitting in a warehouse if it isn't selling well.

That's a good point about retailers and not wanting to hold onto stock that's not moving, I never considered that.

Kalentan · Mar 30, 2023

Disco Infernal said:
Yes, games people will actually buy because they're on a platform that isn't stupidly conceived and priced.

Stupidly priced? Yes, making a headset that is comparable to stuff on PC being sold for $1,000 or more and selling it for almost half is badly priced. I can't believe they didn't sell it for even cheaper!

Strings · Mar 30, 2023

Sullivan said:
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...?

Nothing but the best from Nintendo:

03XMgRM1xbLyujGPxeAp6qP-10.fit_lim.size_1050x591.v1569473194.jpg

criteriondog · Mar 30, 2023

Hope it can do well.

Wonder if it were to get a price drop, if it would get Vita'd or 3DS'd.

Like get a price cut and a lot of support or none, but tbh the Vita had far more issues other than just being pricey (those proprietary memory cards…., and lack of support from Sony 1st party after a year).

I'd like to get one but I just don't want to drop $550 on one, maybe when I can possibly find one for $300?

Android Sophia · Mar 30, 2023

I gotta admit that I am legitimately surprised that this thing did not launch with Beat Saber and/or Half Life: Alyx. Especially Beat Saber, given the lack of backwards compatibility.

Fer · Mar 30, 2023

I'd like to know Bloomberg's opinion about the price and sales predictions for Apple's headset.

Apple CEO Tim Cook Ordered VR Headset Launch Despite Designers Warning It Wasn't Ready

Sorry if this is the wrong forum, but I guess it's safe to say this will also have gaming stuff. Still feel free to move it if it doesn't fit here. Considering the rumors this headset won't ship with controllers, maybe the hand/motion tracking part of this is the thing having the most issues...

www.resetera.com

PlanetSmasher · Mar 30, 2023

An extremely expensive peripheral for an extremely expensive console was always a bad idea. This thing is a luxury on top of a luxury. I don't know why Sony moved forward with this project if they couldn't price it affordably.

Milennia · Mar 30, 2023

Fer said:
I'd like to know Bloomberg's opinion about the price and sales predictions for Apple's headset.

Apple CEO Tim Cook Ordered VR Headset Launch Despite Designers Warning It Wasn't Ready

Sorry if this is the wrong forum, but I guess it's safe to say this will also have gaming stuff. Still feel free to move it if it doesn't fit here. Considering the rumors this headset won't ship with controllers, maybe the hand/motion tracking part of this is the thing having the most issues...

www.resetera.com

Considering recent rumors about how even apple higher ups have very little hope for it, i'd say BAD

henhowc · Mar 30, 2023

vr has been cooling off for awhile now so this wouldnt really be surprising...I would bet that there are a lot of psvr1 owners who probably weren't interested this go around. Especially at this price point.

Deleted member 93062 · Mar 30, 2023

Fer said:
I'd like to know Bloomberg's opinion about the price and sales predictions for Apple's headset.

Apple CEO Tim Cook Ordered VR Headset Launch Despite Designers Warning It Wasn't Ready

Sorry if this is the wrong forum, but I guess it's safe to say this will also have gaming stuff. Still feel free to move it if it doesn't fit here. Considering the rumors this headset won't ship with controllers, maybe the hand/motion tracking part of this is the thing having the most issues...

www.resetera.com

They did the same thing (report expected sales) that they did with PSVR2:

Apple expects to sell about 1 million units of its new headset in its first year. That compares with more than 200 million units for the iPhone, the Cupertino, California-based company's biggest moneymaker. In a rare move, it's also not planning to make a profit on the initial version — even at the high price — indicating that the company is taking a long-term view of the platform.

How Apple’s Upcoming Mixed-Reality Headset Will Work

Apple Inc.’s long-anticipated mixed-reality headset is an ambitious attempt to create a 3D version of the iPhone’s operating system, with eye- and hand-tracking systems that could set the technology apart from rival products.

www.bloomberg.com

Heel · Mar 30, 2023

For me, one of the real shortcomings was not having an announced strategy to support PSVR2 via PS+ (PS Extra, at least?) with monthly games before launch. As a subscriber, I'd be way more likely to buy a headset if I had a regular trickle of titles to try out. I'm surprised they didn't go that route.

I guess at this point in its lifecycle, they expect a PSVR2 owner to be a premium consumer who will just buy the games? Maybe that will change at some point.

Kalentan · Mar 30, 2023

Android Sophia said:
I gotta admit that I am legitimately surprised that this thing did not launch with Beat Saber and or Half Life: Alyx. Especially Beat Saber, given the lack of backwards compatibility.

Beat Saber is confirmed, just not at launch.

Also you can't make Valve do what they don't want to do and they aren't going to hold up the device for Valve to change their mind.

PlanetSmasher said:
An extremely expensive peripheral for an extremely expensive console was always a bad idea. This thing is a luxury on top of a luxury. I don't know why Sony moved forward with this project if they couldn't price it affordably.

They should have cancelled it and greenlit about 10 more The Last of Us games.

Deleted member 93062 · Mar 30, 2023

Strings said:
Nothing but the best from Nintendo:

Just tells me they've at least thought about it. 😈

I wonder if we could see them just license out Quest 1 tech or something.

Markratos · Mar 30, 2023

Just let it die.

IDreamOfHime · Mar 30, 2023

Just let me buy in somewhere that's no Sony's own store. I have so much Amazon credit that i could use on it.

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

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