Sony ‘Testing’ PS VR2 For PC Use

Sony ‘Testing’ PS VR2 For PC Use RD.jpg
If the move is made, it could see the headset, which is revelatory for Gran Turismo 7 players, be used for further driving titles.

Images: Sony

Sony’s PlayStation 5-exclusive PS VR2 headset could be opened up, with the console giant teasing possible PC compatibility.

Following the Japanese company’s recent exploits porting older games to Steam, and in the case of Helldivers 2 at the same time as the PS5 launch, some of the PlayStation-focused hardware could become multi-platform too.

PlayStation VR2 headset and Sense controllers


The news follows a PlayStation Blog post which announced new (non-driving) games headed to the headset.

“We’re pleased to share that we are currently testing the ability for PS VR2 players to access additional games on PC to offer even more game variety in addition to the PS VR2 titles available through PS5,” reads the statement.

“We hope to make this support available in 2024, so stay tuned for more updates.”

While this is not confirmation, Sony tends not to go on record unless it is a tactical heads-up.

The second virtual reality headset from PlayStation launched in February 2023, ditching the combination of LED lights, Move controllers and an external camera for tracking used in the original. Instead, it utilises the more traditional headset camera set-up combined with new Sense controllers or a Dualsense gamepad.

Gran Turismo 7 PS VR2
Gran Turismo 7, using PS VR2

Inside, it makes use of eye-tracking to implement foveated rendering, in theory optimising performance by prioritising what you are looking at. OLED screens are also used, running at a 2000 x 2040 resolution per eye.

It is currently priced at £529/€599.99/$549.99 and connects to a PS5 via a single USB Type-C cable. Close rivals include the Meta Quest 2 and 3.

The pre-eminent driving experience compatible with PS VR2 to date is Gran Turismo 7. It supports the headset, following a free update, across all game modes (apart from local split-screen multiplayer) including ranked online racing and all single-player career components.

Would you welcome a VR headset that works across both the PS5 and PC? Let us know in the comments below.
About author
Thomas Harrison-Lord
A freelance sim racing, motorsport and automotive journalist. Credits include Autosport Magazine, Motorsport.com, RaceDepartment, Overtake, Traxion and TheSixthAxis.

Comments

Sounds great, what is not to like? Sony, is a respected electronic manufacturer, as a VR enthusiast, I welcome any additional software option.
When times come to update my present headset, I will gladly explore what Sony has to offer.
If they were to bundle it with a PC version of GT7, they might have a very enticing offer for some.
 
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Will be good to see another headset at that price point in the market for PC gaming. It's biggest competitor will probably be the Quest 3. If you're using a PS5 and PC this would probably be a great deal.

If you're buying for PC only it would be a far closer call. OLED screens and Eye Tracking vs Pancake Lenses, FOV and Resolution not much in it. Can't someone merge the two together for us and keep the price the same !
 
Regarding the "tactical heads-up" mentioned in the article, this comes not long after the news that WMR headsets will not work anymore with Windows 11 after the next feature update Microsoft releases on this OS, which has caused quite an outrage in the VR community. Many WMR users who don't want to go back to Windows 10 and/or are interested in keeping 11 up to date are now in the lookout for a new headset, and this could make them hold out on a purchase while they wait for this development: the PSVR2 would be a powerful competitor if it releases on PC, because the cross-compatibility between multiple platforms will be tough to resist for many (not me though).

As a side note, all of the above means that potent WMR headsets like the Reverb G2 will now flood the used market at good prices due to the upcoming limitations. For Win10 users looking for VR headsets, it could be a no-brainer.
 
Will be good to see another headset at that price point in the market for PC gaming. It's biggest competitor will probably be the Quest 3.
And the Pico4. ;)
For my WMR headset it will be until okt 2025, (end of the Win10 support) also time for a new non-WMR headset. Maybe the Q3, Pico4 or this Sony, guess it will be watching hundreds of YT reviews.
 
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Great option to bypass Meta's commitment to f*** PCVR.
Amen. Swore them off the minute they purchased Oculus and it became clear what they intended to do with a brand new, niche market that requires as much cohesion and unification as possible to thrive. I recognize how good the value is in the Q3 from a purely technical and budgetary standpoint, but went with an OG Vive preorder in 2016 and have since never looked back. Facebook/Meta can piss up a rope, regardless of what they may have done to bring a lot of people into the VR realm and subsidize development in their walled off arena. They've done equally as much to stifle and stunt development.
 
"... and connects to a PS5 via a single USB Type-C cable".

So we can expect the same horrible compression artefacts as the Quest 2 & 3?
Hard pass if so, unless Sony are working some magic that Meta cannot.
Shame really, the specs and price are good and OLED is a must, but tethered PCVR really needs display port.
Edit: or maybe not? See further posts.
 
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"... and connects to a PS5 via a single USB Type-C cable".

So we can expect the same horrible compression artefacts as the Quest 2 & 3?
Hard pass if so, unless Sony are working some magic that Meta cannot.
Shame really, the specs and price are good and OLED is a must, but tethered PCVR really needs display port.
Running a Quest 3 on a link cable I’m struggling to see any compression artefacts and I’m pretty picky. I’m no fan of Meta and wish it was displayport but you can get some pretty impressive results out of the Quest 3
 
Running a Quest 3 on a link cable I’m struggling to see any compression artefacts and I’m pretty picky. I’m no fan of Meta and wish it was displayport but you can get some pretty impressive results out of the Quest 3
Better than the Quest 2 then? It was one of the reasons I returned mine.
 
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Better than the Quest 2 then? It was one of the reasons I returned mine.
Didn’t have a Quest 2 so can’t compare but like anything with VR the more PC Power you can throw at it the better it will be. I’ve got the bitrate turned up in Oculus Tray Tool and the resolution slider all the way up which probably offsets any artefacts to a degree..
 
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Running a Quest 3 on a link cable I’m struggling to see any compression artefacts and I’m pretty picky. I’m no fan of Meta and wish it was displayport but you can get some pretty impressive results out of the Quest 3
I can see the compression quite clearly in the road textures. I am very fortunate to have a tethered headset to compare it to ( a Pimax Crystal ) and there is a very clear and obvious difference. It may not be so obvious in other games, but in racing games, its there. And I've tried all the usual tweaks to bitrate etc.
 
Somehow I think it's a little bit late... I believe Meta is the clear frontrunner in VR. No doubt Sony will get a bit more users onboard, but coming from using a Reverb G2, wireless is the way to go.

PS5 + PC or PC + Standalone...
 
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Somehow I think it's a little bit late... I believe Meta is the clear frontrunner in VR. No doubt Sony will get a bit more users onboard, but coming from using a Reverb G2, wireless is the way to go.

PS5 + PC or PC + Standalone...
I think until wireless becomes truly lossless I’ll stick with wired for seated stuff. Even with virtual desktop in God Mode or whatever its called on a Wifi 6e connection you’re getting a better image on a wired connection.

Ideally you’d be cable free but for Racing and Flight siming it doesn’t bother me.
 
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I can see the compression quite clearly in the road textures. I am very fortunate to have a tethered headset to compare it to ( a Pimax Crystal ) and there is a very clear and obvious difference. It may not be so obvious in other games, but in racing games, its there. And I've tried all the usual tweaks to bitrate etc.
I haven’t got one to compare and must admit road textures aren’t something I was looking at when I was comparing wireless to wired, I tend to look at things like shadow details and dark areas. The track is going past so fast in a sim and is grainy by default so didn't even think to look at it.
 
I'm not getting it.
I.e. the full fuzz.

What obstacles should exactly be hindering using a PlayStation VR headset for PC use?

No USB-c/USB-A ports?

No wifi/bluetooth interface?

No way of using Virtual Desktop?

Whatabout using OpenXR, OpenComposite, CrewChief VR-plugins, VorpX, x360ce, OpenTrack or other easy enhancement feature tools?
 
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I can see the compression quite clearly in the road textures. I am very fortunate to have a tethered headset to compare it to ( a Pimax Crystal ) and there is a very clear and obvious difference. It may not be so obvious in other games, but in racing games, its there. And I've tried all the usual tweaks to bitrate etc.
Yeah, the mushy pixellated road textures were the very first thing I noticed with the Quest 2. That and the low contrast and grey blacks.
 
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I haven’t got one to compare and must admit road textures aren’t something I was looking at when I was comparing wireless to wired, I tend to look at things like shadow details and dark areas. The track is going past so fast in a sim and is grainy by default so didn't even think to look at it.
If you don't notice you are lucky, it will save you a ton of money:). But road texture is something that really stands out. Drive Nords and you will see it, or Sebring. Some tracks are more noticeable than others. I think for a lot of people, if you don't have something high end to compare to, won't notice. But stick a Varjo Aero or Pimax Crystal on your eyeballs and there is, sadly, no going back.
 
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Premium
Sounds great, what is not to like? Sony, is a respected electronic manufacturer, as a VR enthusiast, I welcome any additional software option.
When times come to update my present headset, I will gladly explore what Sony has to offer.
If they were to bundle it with a PC version of GT7, they might have a very enticing offer for some.
This is a great point - if this happens, I believe the door has never been more open to a GT7 PC port
 

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