As part of an MCV article where they spoke with the teams behind PlayStation VR, Oculus Rift, and HTC Vive, Sony Immersive Technology Group Director Simon Benson said PSVR has been positively received so far, and they’re planning to increase production:
[It’s been] very positive. We were very optimistic about introducing our gamers to virtual reality, but it’s only when you launch it that you know for sure.
Creating a completely new type of gaming experience that involves wearing something on your head was a real challenge. When we see such fantastic user reviews, we know we have done a pretty good job in getting the important elements just right.
It is still very early days, but we have a better feel for the demand for VR gaming and so we are planning to increase production. This is a really positive sign for the future of VR gaming and I’m looking forward to seeing even more people getting their hands on their own PlayStation VR headset and entering this new world.
When it was announced in February that PSVR sales were over 915,000, Sony Interactive Entertainment President Andrew House said there “are more than 220 software titles and content in development,” and “the number of developers and publishers has increased to more than 360.” It was also expected that over 100 new software titles and experiences would be out by the end of 2017.
In the MCV interview, Benson said there shouldn’t be any problems attracting more developers to PlayStation VR:
To be honest, we have so many VR developers approaching us that we don’t see [getting more developers to make VR content] as an issue currently. In the first few months of PS VR’s life, there are already around 100 VR games and experiences on the store with lots more in the pipeline.
Personally, Benson says he’d like more PSVR games with integrated social features so “our gaming sessions with remote friends can be much more like local multiplayer gaming.” He later added, “If people think PS VR gaming is great now, then I think they will be even more amazed in a year’s time by the types of experiences that will be available, and I believe that the social element will be a huge contributor to the value of VR gaming.”
Earlier this month, Sony said PSVR was back in stock in the United States and Canada ahead of the release of Farpoint on May 16.
[Source: MCV]
