SIE today showcased the exterior of the next-generation VR headset, the PlayStation VR2, and the final design of the PS VR2 Sense controller.
Sneak peek: PlayStation VR2 headset design
The inspiration behind the latest VR hardware designs
Hideaki Nishino
Senior Vice President, Platform Planning and Management
Today, I'm honored to showcase the stunning new design of our next-generation VR headset, the PlayStation VR2, as well as the final design image of the PlayStation VR2 Sense controller update.
You'll notice similarities between the shape of the PS VR 2 headset and the PS VR2 Sense controller, both of which feature a matching "spherical" look. The orb shape represents the 360-degree view that players feel when entering the virtual reality world, and this shape cleverly captures and presents this.
The design of the PS VR2 headset is also inspired by the appearance of the PS5 series. Our design team also took into account the next generation of VR headsets when creating the PS5 console, so you'll notice some similarities in appearance and feel. The PS5 console features flat edges because it is designed to be placed on a flat surface, while the PS VR2 headset is designed to emphasize roundness because the device will continue to contact the wearer, similar to the rounded edges of the DualSense controller and Pulse 3D headphones.
We wanted to create a headset that, in addition to being a pleasing decoration in your living room, would immerse you in the game world so much that you would almost forget you were using a headset or controller. That's why we pay close attention to the ergonomics of this headset and conduct extensive testing to ensure that all head styles are comfortable to wear. We carefully balanced the weight of the first generation of the PS VR headset and designed a simple, adjustable headband to make its ergonomics gain many positive comments and suggestions, so we also retained the same concept for the PS VR2 headset. Other features, such as the adjustable eye mask of this headset, place the eyecup area closer or farther from the face, and the position of the stereo headphone jack remains the same, so players don't feel unfamiliar.
We've added new features such as the lens adjustment dial to the PS VR2 headset to further enhance comfort, and users can also choose to match the lens distance between the two eyes to optimize their field of view. We've also created a thinner and lighter design, and even with new add-on features like new built-in motors for head-mounted device feedback, the weight has not increased slightly. Creating thinner and lighter designs and adding new features to improve the first-generation headset can be a challenge, but when we saw the final design, the design and engineering teams proved that it was possible!
In addition, we have integrated a new vent design into the PS VR2 headset, which we think users will appreciate. And listen to Yujin Morisawa, senior art designer at SIE, who designed the PS VR2 headset installation, explain why this is his favorite part of the overall design:
"When I started designing the PlayStation VR2 headset, my first thought was to create vents in the headset to get air out, similar to the design of the vents on the PS5 console that allow air to flow. Our engineers came up with this idea as a great way to ventilate and avoid camera fogging when players are immersed in VR games. I worked on a number of design concepts to make this happen, and in the final design, you can see that there is some space between the top of the eyecup and the front surface, where the vents are integrated. I am very proud of the results of this vision and of the positive comments and recommendations that have been received so far. Hopefully, PlayStation fans will share the same view, and I can't wait to get them to give it a try. ”
– Yujin Morisawa, SIE Senior Art Designer
Another thing we'd like to share is that we've added thousands of tiny PlayStation symbols to the design of the PS5 console and DualSense controller, and we've added tiny PlayStation symbols to the front and rear straps of the PS VR2 headset in the hope of improving player comfort.
When PS VR2 launches, there will be a huge leap forward in the way we play games in virtual reality. The PS VR2 system has many new features to look forward to, including stunning 4K HDR high-fax vision and state-of-the-art image rendering technology, enhanced tracking capabilities such as in-out camera tracking, new PlayStation VR2 Sense technology features (e.g., headset feedback), and a new PS VR2 Sense controller that creates an amazing sense of immersion and uses intuition. In addition, the PS VR2 system uses a simple one-wire setup, so you can connect to the game immediately.
Game creators already have the PS VR2 development kit, and we're excited to see what kind of games they'll create that truly transform virtual reality into an extraordinary experience for players." We look forward to sharing with you more details about PS VR2. Stay tuned for the latest news!