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Contrary to popular belief, the best-selling consumer electronics products are not necessarily the most recent or best performing products in a business; Mass market customers often turn to affordable models with good performance. That's why console manufacturers are keeping the latest generation models after launching superior suites: as long as it is promised to continue to benefit from ongoing support, the "old" hardware is still viable.
Yesterday, Sony officially adopted this strategy for its virtual reality headset PlayStation VR, two and a half years old. In doing so, he may have saved a formidable device from an untimely death. PSVR has devoted almost half of its relatively short life to premature discussions on a sequel, and it is clear that many potential PSVR clients view this investment as a leap of faith – especially at the end of the life cycle of the PlayStation 4.
PSVR has nevertheless managed to become the most popular VR headset in the world: more than 4.2 million units were sold last month, with continued sales attributable to price cuts and a further software catalog in addition to spectacular. Yet with an installed base of over 90 million PlayStation 4s, the VR headset could clearly sell even better. With an affordable price of $ 199, it only missed a guaranteed future.
By confirming yesterday that the PlayStation 5 will not be delivered this year and will remain compatible with the PSVR, the main architect of Sony PlayStation systems, Mark Cerny, has indeed given the PSVR the necessary lifeline for at least a year . The announcement does not prevent Sony from launching a more powerful PSVR 2 in the future, but it is clear that the more than 80 million PlayStation 4 owners without PSVR can now buy without fear of wasting their money .
As a buy-in for PS4 owners with extra cash, the price of PSVR is almost ideal; you can get the mandatory PlayStation camera with any software-software bundle at $ 250, and choose to ignore the highly optional Move controllers without forgetting too much. Even at this price level, it is competitive with other boring options that PS4 users might consider: a $ 300 switch (with or without Labo VR cardboard protective glasses at $ 40), an Oculus Quest to $ 400 or an Xbox One at $ 250. the VR software switches to match the PSVR.
It's important to note that Cerny went even further, promising that the next PlayStation will be able to play PS4 games – an explicit promise that the PSVR software purchased today will work on the machine of the year next. Since PS3 owners do not get this type of guarantee with the PS4, it's very difficult for PS4 users to get this insurance with the PS5 and give everyone the reason to keep spending money. for Sony software.
Imagine what could have happened in the absence of preemptive announcements like these. Sony would not have appeared at E3, which would have prompted customers to speculate more on the timing of the shutdown of PS4 and PSVR and, inevitably, sales of hardware and software would have slowed. Developers working on PSVR 1 software should have considered canceling or abridging their projects. Despite the price still lower than most Oculus and HTC VR equipment, Sony's headset may have struggled to exceed 5 million sales.
Instead, Cerny's words were enough to make PSVR last during the 2019 holiday season and perhaps beyond. Just as the PlayStation 5 will offer users a newer and more powerful alternative, the higher specifications and the corresponding price will no doubt leave room for the old model.
Having tested everything from Nintendo Labo VR to Oculus Quest to PSVR, I think Sony has the best RV value proposition of the year, and I'm happy that my investments in the platform continue to generate dividends for the next generation. We'll have to see if Nintendo and Oculus can provide the same continuity with their latest products, but it's good to see Sony set the bar high for its virtual reality platform, and we hope it will be rewarded for its efforts.
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