With so much information funneling in about Sony’s new PS4 VR headset, Project Morpheus, we wanted to compile as much as we could into one place.
To kick things off, here’s the specs for the current Project Morpheus prototype:
As well, here’s the description of Project Morpheus from Sony so you can get an idea of how it works:
Morpheus features a visor style head-mounted display and works seamlessly with PlayStation Camera to deliver a unique VR experience right before the player’s eyes. Inertial sensors built into the head mount unit and PlayStation Camera accurately track head orientation and movement so as the player’s head rotates, the image of the virtual world rotates naturally and intuitively in real-time. Furthermore, in supporting games, the player can use a PlayStation Move Motion Controller as an object, such as a sword. Morpheus will reproduce the player’s hands and sword within the game so the player feels like they are physically fighting off enemies with their sword in the virtual world.
Morpheus adopts 3D audio technology uniquely developed by SCE. In addition to sounds coming from front, behind, left and right, Morpheus re-creates stereoscopic sounds heard from below and above the players, such as footsteps climbing up stairs below them, or engine noises of helicopters flying overhead. Sounds that players hear change in real-time depending on their head orientation, creating a highly realistic audio environment within an immersive 360-degree virtual world.
Along with PlayStation Camera, Wireless Controller for PS4, and PS Move, Morpheus will deliver immersive breakthrough entertainment experiences to gamers through the PS4 system, leveraging SCE’s expertise across key areas for VR – including display/optics, audio, tracking, control, ease of use, and content.
The Project Morpheus SDK is currently being developed and will be available when it’s ready. There are demos at GDC though, with Sony showing off VR tech demos of EVE Valkyrie, Thief, The Castle, and The Deep, with the latter two made by Sony.
In the announcement press release, Shuhei Yoshida, President of SCE Worldwide Studios, said, “At SCE we view innovation as an opportunity to build on our mission to push the boundaries of play. Project Morpheus is the latest example of innovation from SCE, and we’re looking forward to its continued development and the games that will be created as development kits get into the hands of content creators.”
There was also a wide variety of other information revealed about Project Morpheus, which we’ve placed below:
- Shuhei Yoshida revealed that the GDC demos of The Deep and The Castle are running on PS4, with Thief and EVE Valkyrie supposedly running on a PC dev kit.
- Because games have to be “specifically programmed for” Project Morpheus, there will be “no problem hitting 1080p/60fps.”
- Shuhei Yoshida wears glasses and has “no problem” using the Project Morpheus prototype.
- Shuhei also revealed, “The prototype for Project Morpheus is the culmination of our work over the last 3+ years as we’ve refined our vision for VR. This prototype will serve as the first development kit for PS4 developers that are as enthusiastic about this new medium as we are.”
- Watching movies with Project Morpheus isn’t their focus, “but we can create a big virtual screen to watch a movie.”
- With the name being chosen last week, Sony said, “Morpheus is the god of dreams… it’s supposed to evoke being a dreamlike experience in the headset.”
- According to John Carmack, “I had suggested to Sony that they try to hire Palmer Luckey before the Oculus Kickstarter.”
- During the unveiling, it was said that Morpheus will be out “as soon as possible, as cheaply as possible, with the highest possible resolution and lowest possible latency.” PlayStation added, “Low latency, high framerates, clean visuals, 3D audio are among the qualities that create effective VR with devices like Project Morpheus.”
- NASA is interested in using VR for scientific study and were in attendance at the unveiling last night.
- Adam Boyes is “so glad I can finally use my “outside voice” about our VR – it’s been exciting to show it to devs over the past year.”
- Shuhei: A “speaker is not built into the prototype, you can use your headset to plug into the unit.” Shuhei also said, “The prototype comes with a headphone and will work with your headphone, too.”
- Shuhei: “For conventional type game, you can use DualShock 4 no problem.”
- Shuhei: “Processor unit connects with PS4 via HDMI and USB, both PS4 and Processor Unit contribute to processing.”
- Shuhei: “The prototype is wired. Latency is super important.”
- Shuhei on Project Morpheus’ price: “This is a prototype, and we are not talking about our final product yet.”
- In case you were still unsure, “PlayStation Camera is required [for Project Morpheus], PS Move is optional, depending on the title.”
- Shuhei on whether this is safe for your eyes: “It feels very natural when you use it, but we are working with medical experts.”
Here’s a list of companies set to work with Project Morpheus (via GI.Biz), along with a couple of early prototypes for the VR headset from 2010 and 2011:
If you were wanting to see what happened during the Project Morpheus unveiling, Shuhei Yoshida said that “SCEA will post it next week.” When they do post it, we’ll let you know.
What questions would you like to see answered about Project Morpheus? Let us know in the comments below.
