According to information obtained by Takashi Mochizuki of Bloomberg, it appears that Sony has paused the manufacturing of its PlayStation VR2 headsets. This decision is reportedly due to the need to sell off existing stock. The stock includes over 2 million units produced thus far, based on details from unnamed sources.
In the year following the release of the PS VR2, shipment figures have seen a decrease. Initial shipments were close to 600,000 units in the first quarter of 2023. However, it dropped to approximately 325,000 by the fourth quarter.
Macquarie’s analyst Yijia Zhai, as cited in the Bloomberg article, points out that the steep cost of VR equipment. The reason for the change is a significant barrier to market growth. The scarcity of VR-compatible games further dampens consumer enthusiasm for purchasing such devices. This lack of content is attributed to the higher production costs. These costs are associated with VR game development compared to standard video games.
This news follows Sony’s announcement last month about shutting down its London Studio. Moreover,implementing broader layoffs. The London Studio had been instrumental in developing content for the original PlayStation VR. They had shifted focus to a non-VR multiplayer project for the PS5.
Despite these setbacks, projections for the VR industry remain optimistic. with an expected average annual growth rate of 31.5% from 2023 to 2028. This growth is anticipated to be driven by new devices like Meta Quest 3 and Apple’s Vision Pro. Additionally, PlayStation has announced plans for PC compatibility with its PS VR2 headset. It could significantly expand its user base by tapping into PC gaming libraries and offering one of the most advanced and comfortable VR headsets available to PC gamers.
