Just two weeks from now, the PlayStation VR2 will be given a new lease of life. The second-generation PlayStation virtual reality headset will finally gain compatibility with Steam VR games, allowing users to enjoy titles like Half-Life: Alyx on the device. Ahead of this highly anticipated release, Sony has unveiled a new application on Valve's digital distribution platform, shedding light on the intricacies of PSVR2's Steam integration.
According to the Steam listing, players will be required to initially set up their PSVR2 through the dedicated "PlayStation VR2 App" to access Steam VR games. This app will also serve as a hub for firmware updates, enabling users to adjust settings such as screen brightness and define their play area via the SteamVR dashboard.
The Steam listing provides detailed system requirements for running Steam VR titles on PSVR2. These requirements remain consistent with Sony's previous pronouncements. To ensure optimal performance, the company recommends a PC equipped with an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060, AMD Radeon RX 6600 XT, or a newer GPU, such as the RTX 40 series.
As anticipated, the Sense Controllers will seamlessly integrate with Steam VR games, as confirmed by the Steam listing. However, as Sony disclosed last month, using PSVR2 with a PC necessitates the purchase of a £50 adapter and comes with certain limitations. Features like eye-tracking, adaptive triggers, and headset feedback will be unavailable when using PSVR2 on a PC. Despite these restrictions, users will still benefit from a 110-degree field of view, finger touch detection, and 4K resolution.
The dedicated PlayStation VR2 app will be available from 6th August, just one day before the official release of the PC adapter. This move signals Sony's commitment to expanding the PSVR2's versatility and reaching a broader audience by breaking free from the confines of the PS5 console ecosystem.
Expanding Horizons: A New Path for PSVR2?
Since its launch last year, the PSVR2, despite boasting impressive technical specifications, has struggled to gain significant momentum. In an interview with the Financial Times last December, Sony Interactive Entertainment's head of global business, Eric Lempel, acknowledged that the virtual reality market currently faces challenges.
Last month, Android Central reported that Sony has implemented significant cuts to VR game development funding, resulting in limited opportunities for first-party VR titles. The outlet further claimed that only two first-party PSVR2 games are currently in development.
IGN's review of the PSVR2, awarding it a score of 9/10, highlighted its strengths: "With top-notch visual quality and immersively tactile Sense controllers, PlayStation VR2 represents a quantum leap over its predecessor, setting a new standard for console VR gaming."
This move towards SteamVR compatibility may be a strategic attempt by Sony to revitalise the PSVR2 and broaden its appeal, potentially attracting a larger player base beyond the confines of the PlayStation ecosystem. Only time will tell whether this move will be successful in breathing new life into Sony's second-generation VR headset.