Contrary to Sony’s expectations, the pre-orders of its PSVR 2 intended for the PS5 are a failure. Reservations well below the builder’s expectations. But what explains why players are not up for getting the virtual reality headset?
Definitely, this generation is not necessarily going very well for Sony. Yes, his PS5 is a huge hit, but many criticize his pricing policy. The PSVR 2 is no exception to the rule with a salty price of 599.99 euros for the virtual reality headset alone. As much as a PlayStation console! Inevitably, the pre-orders are extremely disappointing. Is Sony missing its VR shift?
Read > PSVR 2: interface, streaming, Sony tells us more about its virtual reality headset
Pre-orders below expectations
Sony will have to lower its sales forecast for the PSVR 2 following disappointing pre-orders. As Bloomberg reports, the manufacturer was aiming for two million pre-orders worldwide. But according to one of the suppliers who remains anonymous, 1.5 million copies will be delivered between April 2023 and March 2024. Why such a timid reception?
To begin, the salty price of 599.99 euros. No need to explain the problem further, the PS5 costs 549.99 euros. Paying more for the VR accessory of a console, a shame. Then, the toy library is almost non-existent. The launch of PSVR 2 comes with 20 games, including a Horizon exclusive, too few to convince.
Why such a failure of PSVR 2 pre-orders?
The virtual reality community often faces the same problem. Technology may develop successfully, the proposals are too meager. With rare occasional exceptions such as episodes 7, 8 and 4 of resident Evil in VR or Half Life: Alyx.
Another element that justifies this failure of pre-orders, the fact that the PSVR 2 is not backwards compatible with the previous headset. Unable to transfer library! So yes, the PSVR 2 promises a lot in terms of specifications but not enough to justify its price (in the midst of a financial crisis) and its meager toy library.
Sony is doing well to continue on the path of virtual reality but for the moment, technology remains too inaccessible for gamers. The PSVR 2 is reserved for a niche of people who have the desire and / or the means to pay 599.99 euros.
But beware ! Failure of pre-orders does not mean the death of PSVR 2. A better catalog in the future or a significant price drop can convince the reluctant.
