psvr 2

Anticipated VR Adventure ‘Behemoth’ Delayed Until Late 2024

behemoth, News, psvr 2, quest 3, skydance interactive, skydance's behemoth, SteamVR, vr combat, VR Game, vr rpg / Ryan Harris / October 10, 2023

Skydance Interactive, the studio behind The Walking Dead: Saints and Sinners, revealed their next VR game Behemoth is being delayed by a year, now slated to arrive on all major headsets in late 2024.

The studio confirmed the delay with UploadVR, also noting that the game now has a new name: Skydance’s Behemoth.

First revealed at Meta Connect 2022 this time last year, the upcoming VR adventure puts you in what the studio calls a “plague-ravished wasteland of a once glorious empire, where its inhabitants are driven mad and cities have fallen to ruin.” In the story-driven campaign, you combat towering giants called Behemoths.

The studio also released a single work-in-progress image of the game (above), which more clearly shows one of the titular behemoths.

Behemoth is coming to Quest (presumably 2/3/Pro), PSVR 2, and PC VR sometime in late 2024. Meanwhile, we’re curious to see just how gameplay stacks up to the studio’s other skull-splitting adventure, The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners.

Check out the cinematic trailer below, released in late 2022.

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Sony Details PSVR 2 Prototypes from Conception to Production

News, PlayStation VR 2, ps vr 2, ps vr2, psvr 2, psvr 2 prototypes, psvr prototypes, psvr2, VR development, VR Hardware Design / Blake Jones / July 28, 2023

Sony released a peek into the prototyping stages that led to PSVR 2, showing off a number of test units for both the headset and controllers.

In an extensive interview on the PS blog, PSVR 2’s Product Manager Yasuo Takahashi reveals the development process behind Sony’s latest VR headset.

Takahashi reveals that detailed discussions on the company’s next-gen PSVR began in earnest after the launch of the original in 2016. From there, the team started prototyping various technologies for PSVR 2 starting in early 2017.

Below is a condensed version of the interview, including all provided photos. If you want to read the full article, click here.

Challenges of Design & Optimization

Maintaining a light and compact design while implementing new features was a challenge, Takahashi says, requiring the teams to work closely to produce detailed technical estimates and optimize the design.

Prototype for testing inside-out in tracking cameras with evaluation board | Image courtesy Sony

While comfort was a significant focus during the development process, the initial prototype focused on evaluating functionality rather than weight.

All of that top bulk is dedicated to inside-out camera evaluation boards which would eventually be shrunk down to an SoC embedded within the headset.

Room-scale & Eye-tracking Tech

Various prototypes were created and tested before integration including both inside-out and outside-in tracking methods. Of course, we know inside-out tracking was eventually the winner, but it’s interesting to note the company was at one point still considering an outside-in approach, similar to the original PSVR.

Eye-tracking tech was also explored as a new UI feature in addition to foveated rendering, which allows developer to push the boundaries of PS5’s VR rendering capabilities and serve up higher-fidelity visuals in games.

Testing and optimizing eye tracking took time, considering different eye colors and accommodating players wearing glasses.

Eye-tracking evaluation prototype 2 | Image courtesy Sony

Comfort & Design

The development team assessed comfort and wearability, evaluating numerous configurations based on the headset’s expected weight. The team put a lot of thought into the materials and shape to make the headset feel lightweight while maintaining strength.

A cool ‘skeleton’ prototype shows all of the pieces of the puzzle together, also showing the headset’s halo strap, which like the original PSVR, keeps the bulk of the weight off the user’s forehead. This one should definitely get a spot on the museum shelves (or maybe a fun mid-generation release?).

The ‘skeleton’ prototype | Image courtesy Sony

Headset haptics were also added as a new feature based on the idea of using the rumble motor from the DualShock 4 wireless controller.

PSVR 2 Sense Controllers

The PSVR 2 Sense controllers were developed in parallel with the headset, starting discussions in 2016 and prototyping in 2017.

Features like haptic feedback, adaptive triggers, and finger-touch detection were early additions, although the team was still sussing out tracking. Notice the Move-style tracking sphere on the tip of an early prototype.

The final shape of the Sense controller was achieved through extensive prototyping and user testing to ensure a comfortable fit and optimized center of gravity.

Here you can see a number of IR tracking marker configurations that would eventually settle on the production model’s current form.

While Sony is undoubtedly sitting on a lot more prototypes than this—they began prototype when the original PSVR had only been in the wild for less than a year—it’s an interesting look at how Takahashi’s team eventually settled on the current form and function of what will likely be PS5’s only VR headset for years to come.

If you’re interested to learn more, check out the full interview with Takahashi.

Sony Details PSVR 2 Prototypes from Conception to Production Read More »

Leading Effort to Hack PSVR 2 into Playing PC VR Games Unlocks 6DOF Cameras, Begins Work on Controllers

ivry, mediator software, News, PlayStation VR 2, playstation vr2, psvr 2, psvr 2 hack / Blake Jones / July 24, 2023

It seems we’re closer to seeing a viable workaround that could allow PSVR 2 owners to play PC VR games. iVRy, the most promising project dedicated to the task, is making good headway by unlocking the headset’s outer cameras for room-scale tracking.

The effort to hack PSVR 2 was initially put on hold earlier this year, which was understandably a let-down for anyone hoping to play PC VR-exclusive titles such as Half-Life: Alyx (2020), or social apps like Bigscreen or VRChat.

The indefinite pause on development didn’t last for long though, as earnest efforts resumed shortly afterwards when the project opened a Patreon to help support development.

In a recent tweet, iVRy creator Mediator Software outlined some new milestones reached after 143 days of development, which were unlocked recently by gaining access to PSVR 2’s camera. As a result, the project now has access to the headset’s 6DOF SLAM tracking, 3DOF IMU tracking, proximity sensor, raw stereo camera data, and distortion-corrected passthrough stereo camera data.

Day #143: PSVR2 camera access is working, so now we have:

– 6DOF SLAM tracking

– 3DOF IMU tracking

– Proximity sensor (headset worn or not)

– Raw (distorted) stereo camera data

– Pass-through (distortion corrected) stereo camera data pic.twitter.com/idJ7Qc2HLV

— iVRy (@iVRy_VR) July 20, 2023

Mediator Software says they’re now focused on “understanding the PSVR2 data and putting in code in the driver to interpret it.”

And by now it’s pretty clear Sony isn’t making it simple. The creator says in a recent tweet the project has cost “over $13K in equipment and software to date, as well as hundreds of hours of work.” That includes things like custom sniffer boards and emulator boards.

While the iVRy creator has successfully booted up 6DOF PC VR content on PSVR 2 in the lab, baking that functionality into a future software release that’s broadly accessible will be a big challenge.

“Any use of the software requires an [hardware] adapter that doesn’t exist yet, so an early access version of the software wouldn’t be usable by anyone at all,” the creator says. “There may be some kind of limited run (maybe 100) of the reference adapters that we’re making, which may be offered via Patreon.”

To boot, work on PSVR 2’s optically-tracked Sense controllers have only just begun, with the studio noting that reverse engineering the controllers is “not going to be easy at all.”

This is what the Sense controllers look like from the PSVR2’s point of view. pic.twitter.com/xqqrpjOxZj

— iVRy (@iVRy_VR) July 22, 2023

“Working on controllers at this point, means that there is nothing further we can do with the headset part right now, not that there is nothing further we can or need to do with the headset part at all. There is still a lot that needs to be done there, including lots of unknowns,” the creator said.

So, while we’re closer than ever, we may still be waiting for some time on that ‘one-and-done’ software download that could potentially uncouple PSVR 2 from PS5 for good. In the meantime, the bulk of the projects updates are published through the project’s Patreon, which offers a $10 minimum monthly membership. You can also follow along via iVRy’s Twitter for the broader strokes.

Leading Effort to Hack PSVR 2 into Playing PC VR Games Unlocks 6DOF Cameras, Begins Work on Controllers Read More »

‘Horizon Call of the Mountain’ Behind-the-scenes – Insights & Artwork from Guerrilla & Firesprite

Feature, horizon call of the mountain, horizon call of the mountain behind the scenes, horizon call of the mountain bts, horizon call of the mountain design, horizon call of the mountain development, horizon call of the mountain vr, Inside VR Design, News, psvr 2, VR Design / Ryan Harris / June 30, 2023

It’s a rare treat when we get a VR game with the scope and scale of Horizon Call of the Mountain, let alone to see a much-loved IP reimagined specifically for the medium. Made exclusively for PSVR 2, the game was built collaboratively between studios Guerrilla Games and Firesprite, both part of PlayStation Studios. We sat down to speak with Alex Barnes, Game Director at Firesprite, to learn more about how Horizon Call of the Mountain came to be and how it turned out to be one of our best-rated VR games in recent memory.

Editor’s Note: The exclusive artwork peppered throughout this article is best viewed on a desktop browser with a large screen or in landscape orientation on your phone. All images courtesy Guerrilla Games & Firesprite.

Gameplay clips may not appear with cookies disabled, click ‘View clip’ to see them in a separate window.

Moving a Mountain

Horizon Call of the Mountain is, of course, a Horizon game. With that, comes the expectation that it will look, feel, and sound like the other two titles in Guerrilla’s lauded franchise. That meant the two studios had to work in close collaboration to deliver on the vision.

“Call of the Mountain was an incredibly collaborative project, with both Firesprite and Guerrilla working really closely to develop the game, Barnes explains. “The bulk of the content creation and gameplay teams were over with Firesprite, with Guerrilla holding the original vision for the game and helping direct elements, such as the narrative and art, to create a game that was genuinely grounded in the world of Horizon. We had folks from both teams hands-on at different times and were in constant communication with each other throughout development.”

Even though the game would need to be built as a VR native title, the studios wanted to ensure that it represented elements of a Horizon game, without being too attached to every Horizon gameplay trope regardless of whether or not they fit within VR.

“The core of the gameplay was pretty set from the initial idea for the game. We wanted climbing, crafting, exploration, interaction and combat to be the mainstay of everything that we built. That meant freedom of movement and ‘real-feel’ physical interactions like climbing and bow combat were so crucial that we got feeling great for all types of players,” Barnes say. “Early on, we did look into doing some more wide-ranging gameplay elements to descend from the mountaintops, but ultimately these elements really ended up distracting from the overall gameplay experience, so they didn’t make their way into the released game.”

The bow is central to the game’s combat, so the teams gave it tons of interesting detail. | View clip

Come One, Come All

Another important goal was building a game that anyone could play—whether experienced with VR or not—and to leave a real impression.

“We knew this could be players’ first experience with PSVR 2 and, in some cases, even with VR. That meant building gameplay systems that people could just pick up, play and quickly understand so that we could fully immerse the player in the world,” Barnes says. “We are also big lovers of VR ourselves, and so it became a goal of everyone to blow new players away to show them how amazing a truly VR experience is, especially on this incredible new hardware.”

Building for experiences and new VR players alike also meant rethinking the options for how people would move in the game. This was also driven by the developers themselves, some of which couldn’t tolerate much traditional stick movement in VR. This pushed the studio to come up with an ‘arm-swinger’ locomotion scheme which I personally felt was both more comfortable and more immersive than pure stick-motion.

“Comfort in VR is an incredibly personal thing, and locomotion is such a big part of that. For some of the team, the stick-based movement was difficult to get comfortable with. So the motion mimetic system of moving the player’s arms was conceptualised as a way to help add a layer of comfort that allowed people who were less familiar with VR to play for longer and stay comfortable whilst they did,” says Barnes.

The players gloves also act as a diegetic health bar thanks to the green leaf-like segments

Continue on Page 2: For Fun’s Sake »

‘Horizon Call of the Mountain’ Behind-the-scenes – Insights & Artwork from Guerrilla & Firesprite Read More »

PlayStation Announces 4 More PSVR 2 Games Coming This Year

News, pixel ripped 1995, psvr 2, psvr 2 games, the 7th guest, tiger blade, VR Game, wanderer / Ryan Harris / June 16, 2023

Just a month after PlayStation’s big gaming showcase, the company announced it’s bringing four more titles to PSVR 2’s library of games, which includes an upgraded port, a remake, and two brand new titles.

There is already a good swath of games on the horizon we can’t wait to play on PSVR 2, such as upcoming sci-fi shooter Synapse coming in July, Five Nights at Freddy’s: Help Wanted 2 in late 2023, Arizona Sunshine 2 later this year, and Resident Evil 4 VR coming hopefully at some point this year.

Now PlayStation says we can add four more to the list: Pixel Ripped 1995, Tiger Blade, The 7th Guest VR, and Wanderer: The Fragments of Fate.

Pixel Ripped 1995

With the release of Pixel Ripped 1978 on all major VR headsets this month, you probably want to know when you’ll get a chance to play the previous game, Pixel Ripped 1995. Now developers ARVORE is bringing ’90s classic gaming experience-meets-VR immersion at 120 fps, including both PSVR 2 Sense controller adaptive triggers and headset feedback. The studio says Pixel Ripped 1995 is coming to PSVR 2 in the “near future.”

Tiger Blade

Tiger Blade is a newly announced Korean neo-noir action game, ostensibly coming to PSVR 2 as an exclusive from French studio Ikimasho Games. Step into the role of a deadly assassin from the Horangi chapter of the Tiger Clans, where your mission is to steal a rare tiger cub coveted by rival gangs. It’s slated to arrive on PSVR 2 in late 2023.

The 7th Guest

Announced for the Quest platform, it seems PSVR 2 owners will also be able to get in on the classic adventure, which is based off the ’90s CD-ROM game. Like the original, you’ll be tossed into a haunted mansion for puzzles and full-motion video (FMV) characters spirits who bring the early adventure game to life. The 7th Guest is coming to PSVR 2 “later this year,” developers Vertigo Games say.

Wanderer – The Fragments of Fate

This is a remake of the original Wanderer, which launched on major VR headsets in 2022. The developers Mighty Eyes call it “completely reimagined for the next generation of VR,” letting you swim, jump, crouch, climb, zipline and swing, the studio says. We’re supposed to get Wanderer – The Fragments of Fate in the “very near future.”

PlayStation Announces 4 More PSVR 2 Games Coming This Year Read More »

‘Beat Saber’ Finally Comes to PSVR 2 as Free Upgrade, Queen Music Pack Released

beat games, beat saber, beat saber psvr 2, Meta, News, psvr 2, psvr games, VR Game / Ryan Harris / May 25, 2023

We expected Beat Saber as a day-one title on PSVR 2 when the headset launched in February, but it seems Meta had different ideas. Better late than never though, as everyone’s favorite block-slashing rhythm game is now available on PSVR 2 as a free upgrade from the PSVR version, coming alongside a paid music pack featuring the ever-iconic band Queen.

The Queen music pack is available across all supported platforms, including Quest, PSVR/2, and PC VR headsets, priced at $14.

It includes the 11 tracks listed below:

“Another One Bites the Dust”
“Bohemian Rhapsody”
“Crazy Little Thing Called Love”
“Don’t Stop Me Now”
“I Want It All”
“Killer Queen”
“One Vision”
“Somebody to Love”
“Stone Cold Crazy”
“We Are The Champions”
“We Will Rock You”

If you already own Beat Saber on PSVR, you can upgrade to the PSVR 2 version for free. This will also allow you to transfer any music packs previously purchased on PSVR at no extra cost.

‘Beat Saber’ Finally Comes to PSVR 2 as Free Upgrade, Queen Music Pack Released Read More »

PSVR 2 Outsold Original PSVR in First 6 Weeks, Sony Confirms

jim ryan, News, PlayStation VR, PlayStation VR 2, ps vr 2, ps vr2, psvr, psvr 2, psvr 2 sales, psvr 2 units / Ryan Harris / May 24, 2023

Sony revealed PSVR 2 outperformed the original PSVR in sales in the first six weeks, taking a strong early lead over the company’s first-gen PlayStation headset.

An investor relations presentation delivered by Sony Interactive Entertainment chief Jim Ryan includes some new information detailing PSVR 2 units sales relative to the original PSVR launched in October 2016.

According to a chart in Ryan’s presentation, Sony’s latest headset has sold 8% more than the original in the first six weeks, ostensibly spanning from its February 22nd, 2023 launch to April 5th.

The graph’s y-axis is unlabeled, although it’s likely those numbers are in the thousands of units, which would mean PSVR 2 sold around 450,000 units in its first week, trailing up to just under 600,000 at the six-week mark.

PSVR 2’s adoption curve is notably flatter than the original PSVR, which started at just north of 300,000 units in its first week, ending up at around 550,000 units by week six. When Sony last released sales figures in 2020, the original PSVR had sold around 5 million lifetime units. Notably, PSVR reached its first million in just under its five months.

PSVR 2’s game library consists of a few strong anchor titles, such as Horizon Call of the Mountain, Resident Evil Village, and Gran Turismo 7 while offering an array of upgraded PSVR content and newly ported Quest titles. Upcoming titles include Ghostbusters VR, Beat Saber, Crossfire: Sierra Squad, Resident Evil 4, Synapse, The Foglands, Green Hell VR, and Behemoth.

To keep PSVR 2’s unit sales above the original, the company undoubtably needs to focus on widening its content offering in the coming months. The company is hosting a PlayStation gaming showcase later today which we hope will reveal a little more about the company’s near-term content strategy for PSVR 2.

PSVR 2 Outsold Original PSVR in First 6 Weeks, Sony Confirms Read More »

Top 10 PSVR 2 Games to Download First

best psvr 2 games, Feature, News, PlayStation VR 2, psvr 2, psvr 2 games, top psvr 2 games, VR Game / Ryan Harris / March 3, 2023

It’s been over a week since PSVR 2 made its big launch, bringing with it 40+ games that let you dive head-first into virtual worlds aplenty. Here we take a look at our top titles you should think about nabbing first.

There’s a good smattering of games here to get you started which span a number of genres, including shooter, horror, adventure, platforming, and more. Here’s our selection of top PSVR 2 games at the moment, listed in alphabetical order.

Demeo

Demo isn’t DnD in VR like some would have you think, but the team-based tactical dungeon crawler certainly takes a bunch of cues from the storied role-playing game with its turn-based fantasy madness. Sit down to the game board with three other players and take on dungeon after dungeon, culminating in module bosses that will truly test your abilities. In the end, Demeo is basically PSVR 2’s premium board game experience truly worthy of an oragnized game night for both your VR headset-owning and flatscreen pals thanks to integrated cross-play.

Store Link

Gran Turismo 7

You don’t need to own a dedicated steering wheel peripheral to play Gran Turismo 7 in its optional VR mode, but you would be highly suggested to do so, as this real-world driving sim lets you go head-to-head online and in an engaging campaign that simply blows Gran Turismo Sport out of the water.

Store Link

Horizon Call of the Mountain

Come for the graphics, stay for the VR native gameplay in this single player adventure as Horizon Call of the Mountain takes players on a fun trek throughout a breathtaking world, showcasing some of the best graphics you’ll find anywhere in VR. Beyond the epic vistas, the game’s smaller details—like rich foliage, an array of climbing gadgets, and interactive props—make Call of the Mountain a very immersive game. There’s also a free demo.

Store Link

The Last Clockwinder

Studio Ghibli doesn’t make VR games, although you’d swear Hayao Miyazaki had a hand in designing this incredibly infectious puzzle game, which arms you with a fleet of your own mechanical clones to compete complex tasks. Save the tree, which holds biodiversity of the whole universe, and stock up on tissue as this narrative-based puzzler may jerk a tear or two.

Store Link

Les Mills Bodycombat

PSVR 2 is so much better geared for room-scale gaming than the original PSVR, which is why you should definitely start thinking of your headset as a piece of workout equipment since you can dive, duck, dodge, and punch your way to the new, fitter you. Coaches take you through 50+ heart-pumping workouts, all set to tracks from artist like Noam Dee, Fas Fash, & more.

Store Link

Moss & Moss: Book II Bundle

You could pick up either, but you really should consider plonking down for the Moss & Moss Book II bundle. The main character is Quill, a young mouse with dreams of greatness beyond the confines of her forest settlement, although you actually play as ‘The Reader’, who not only controls little Quill as she platforms throughout the lush fantasy world, but physically helps her by interacting with environmental puzzle pieces. Between bashing baddies, make sure to look around a bit and take in the universe’s charming and detailed visuals.

Store Link

Pavlov

“Isn’t ‘X shooter’ game in VR yet?” you may ask yourself. Well, Pavlov is a great alternative if you’re looking for competitive Counter Strike-esque gameplay, replete with immersive gun physics and bomb-defusing action. There’s a ton of modes that will give you a good helping of sqaud-based gameplay with modern weaponry, but also vehicle-based WWII battles and zombie horde-shooting modes to keep things fresh.

Store Link

Resident Evil Village

Resident Evil Village may be a VR-optional game, but this single player horror game truly feels at home on PSVR 2, as the world’s blood-chilling enemies and atmospheric world take hold of you. In our hands-on, Road to VR’s Ben Lang called it “about the best graphics in VR I’d argue the top title is certainly Half-Life: Alyx.” Thankfully, if you already own the game on PS5, you not only get a free PSVR 2 upgrade, but also a PSVR 2-accessible demo.

Store Link

Song in the Smoke Rekindled

Song in the Smoke is an unforgiving survival adventure which challenges the player to get through each day in the face of hunger, cold, fatigue, and plenty of beasts that lurk in the shadows. Visuals get a big upgrade on PSVR 2 version, making it rival the PC VR version, bringing a finer touch to the game’s large and complex levels. Keep your map open, make sure to scrounge basic supplies and craft (re: everything), survive the night, and tango with some pretty epic primeval bosses.

Store Link

Star Wars: Tales from The Galaxy’s Edge

Initially born on Quest as a trilogy, Star Wars: Tales from the Galaxy’s Edge Enhanced Edition casts you as a Droid Repair Technician who crash landed on Batuu, where you face off against the Guavian Death Gang, infiltrate a First Order facility and travel to other eras in the galaxy. Sure, you’re not a Jedi, but there’s no bigger slice of Star Wars VR action on PSVR 2. Yes, we’re still waiting on Vader Immortal and Squadrons, but at least Galaxy’s Edge has a free demo!

Store Link

Also Consider…

There’s more than 30 VR games (and counting) on the store right now, although here’s a list of 10 mentionable games that may also pique your interest:

Cosmonious High – madcap exploration and puzzling, good for younger players (free demo available)
Dyschronia: Chronos Alternate – anime-style mystery adventure
The Light Brigade – awesome roguelike featuring WWII weapons and magic
Garden of the Sea – gardening sim, a bit like Animal Crossing
Pistol Whip – smooth and kinetic rhythm shooter that makes you feel like John Wick
Jurassic World Aftermath – use stealth to hide from blood-thirsty raptors
Kayak VR: Mirage – highly detailed kayak-based racing and exploration
Rez Infinite – the popular musical rail shooter
Tetris Effect: Connected – Tetris, but new and with a VR mode
Zenith: The Last City – VR’s most successful MMORPG

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Unique Platform Puzzle ‘HUMANITY’ Coming to PSVR 2 & PC VR in May, Free Demo Now Live

enhance, humanity, humanity vr, News, psvr, psvr 2, SteamVR, tha ltd, VR Game / Ryan Harris / March 1, 2023

When we first caught glimpse of HUMANITY, it was clear it was going to be a unique experience, although the crowd simulation puzzler was long delayed past the original 2020 launch window. Now Tokyo-based design studio Tha LTD announced HUMANITY is officially coming in May.

It was pretty vague what the hell HUMANITY was all about when it was first announced in 2019, however now the studio reveals its upcoming game is a “unique blend of puzzle-solving and action-platforming,” giving you control over an ethereal Shiba Inu dog who commands a massive crowd.

Like Lemmings, you control the crowd as they jump, turn, push, float, shoot, and climb their way to the end goal. Move past obstacles, enemies, puzzles, and gain unlockable skills in the main game, and upload and try out user-built levels with the in-game Stage Creator.

To create its stark and unique environments, developer Tha LTD is working with creative studio Enhance—founded by Tetsuya Mizuguchi, known as the mind behind Rez and Tetris Effect: Connected—and director and visual designer Yugo Nakamura.

Tha game is considered a VR-optional experience, offering up a fairly straightforward implementation that lets you turn the game’s puzzle-filled levels around and control your Shiba Inu buddy and direct the human horde. While nothing ground-breaking, it’s nice to see VR support from the get-go.

The game is slated to release on PSVR, PSVR 2, and SteamVR headsets sometime in May. What’s more, you can now play a free demo on those platforms from now until March 6th. The demo contains 10 levels, while the full game has “90 plus”, the studio says.

In the meantime, check out the demo gameplay video overview below to learn more:

Unique Platform Puzzle ‘HUMANITY’ Coming to PSVR 2 & PC VR in May, Free Demo Now Live Read More »

‘Synapse’ is a Telekenetic Shooter Using PSVR 2 Eye-tracking, Coming in 2023

fracked, ndreams, News, psvr 2, psvr 2 games, synapse, synapse vr, VR Game / Ryan Harris / February 28, 2023

nDreams, the studio behind Fracked (2021) and Phantom: Covert Ops (2020), announced Synapse, an upcoming action shooter exclusive to PSVR 2 that looks to evolve Fracked’s run-and-cover gameplay whilst making good use of the headset’s eye-tracking capabilities.

There’s still a lot to learn about Synapse, although nDreams says in its PS blogpost announcement that Fracked made a “perfect foundation to build upon with Synapse,” as the upcoming shooter looks to evolves the former’s core gameplay.

As a PSVR 2 exclusive, Synapse however is also slated to use Sense controllers in concert with the headset’s eye-tracking capabilities, something the studio head James Shepard says provides “enhanced aiming which equips players with pinpoint precision when targeting their telekinesis and combines with motion controls to make wielding telekinetic powers a full-body experience.”

In the teaser trailer we get a good look at a few mechanics too; you’ll be able to launch, levitate, and smash enemies through destructible environments.

The fast-paced run and gun style gameplay along with telekinetically moveable cover also shows just how related nDream’s upcoming shooter is to Fracked.

There’s no launch date yet, however nDreams says it’s coming exclusively to PSVR 2 later this year. In the meantime, you can wishlist the game here.

‘Synapse’ is a Telekenetic Shooter Using PSVR 2 Eye-tracking, Coming in 2023 Read More »

11 Essential Tips & Tricks for New PSVR 2 Owners

News, PlayStation VR 2, playstation vr 2 tips, playstation vr 2 tricks, psvr 2, psvr 2 tips, psvr 2 tricks, VR Headset / Ryan Harris / February 22, 2023

PSVR 2 is finally here and for those of you lucky enough to get your hands on Sony’s newest VR headset, here’s some essential tips and tricks you’ll want to know.

PSVR 2 is a pretty straightforward headset thanks to the fact that once you plug it into the console you’ll see the usual PS5 menu that you’re already used to. However, the headset does have a few less obvious capabilities that you’ll want to know about.

1. Voice Input

PSVR 2 supports the same voice commands as PS5, and thanks to a microphone that’s mounted right next to your mouth, they work very well! Voice commands through PSVR 2 can be used to easily launch games and apps (instead of digging through the game library) or to open certain settings pages (instead of digging through the settings menu). All you have to do to get the console to listen is say “Hey PlayStation.”

If you’ve never used voice commands on PS5 before, you’ll need to enable them first. To do so go to Settings > Voice Command (Preview) and enable the option.

2. Quick Menu

PSVR 2 has a quick menu that makes it easy to access frequently used settings. To open the PSVR 2 quick menu, just double-tap the PlayStation button on your controller.

3. Lens Calibration

Since PSVR 2 has such a small sweet spot (the area of the lens where everything is at its clearest), it’s important to get the lenses dialed in just right to your specific IPD.

Luckily PSVR 2 has a built-in lens calibration that’s easy to run at any time, even in the middle of a game.

You’ll be prompted to run the calibration initially when you set up your headset for the first time, but since you put the headset on a bit differently every time (and sometimes the lenses can get bumped which adjusts their spacing) it’s worth running the calibration every few sessions to make sure you’re seeing the clearest image through the headset. You should also run the calibration step any time a new person puts on the headset so they can get the ideal fit.

To run lens calibration on PSVR 2, double-tap the PlayStation button on the controller, then select Adjust Visibility from the quick settings menu.

The calibration will help you not only adjust the headset to the ideal IPD (distance between the lenses), but also tell you if the headset is sitting too high, low, or crooked on your head. Having the best fit will also increase the accuracy of the headset’s eye-tracking function.

4. Use PSVR 2 Without a Display Connected

Though PSVR 2 mirrors its display onto whatever TV you’re connected to so spectators can see what you’re up to, you can also use the headset while your TV is turned off, doing something else, or disconnected entirely.

Just note that to set up your PSVR 2 for the first time you’ll need a connected display, but once you have it set up you can turn off the display or unplug it entirely and your headset should continue to work just fine.

5. Where to Find PSVR 2 Volume Control

This one really shouldn’t be a tip or a trick, but it’s not entirely intuitive where to find the volume control for PSVR 2.

Instead of being in the quick settings menu, you can find the volume adjustment for PSVR 2 by pressing the PlayStation button to bring up the bottom menu, then selecting Sound (speaker icon). In the Sound menu you’ll see PSVR 2; click on it to find the volume adjustment.

6. Use Headset Button to Mute Microphone

The button on the bottom of PSVR 2 gives you one-click access to the headset’s passthrough view, which is very handy. However you have the option to rebind this button to act as a microphone mute toggle instead, which might be useful if you find yourself playing multiplayer VR games regularly.

To make the button on PSVR 2 mute the microphone, go to Settings > Accessories > PlayStation VR2 > VR Headset section > Function Button Assignment, then switch it to Mute Microphone.

Even if you change the button’s function, you can still quickly access the passthrough view by double-clicking the PlayStation button on the controller to open PSVR 2 quick settings, then click ‘View Surroundings’.

7. Use PSVR 2 as a 120Hz HDR Display for Playing Flat PS5 Games

While PSVR 2 is undoubtedly an impressive VR headset, you can also use it to play regular PS5 games and watch video content—Sony calls this ‘Cinematic Mode’ for PSVR 2.

To do that, all you need to do is launch a non-VR game or app on PS5, then use a standard PS5 controller to play (unfortunately the Sense controllers won’t work for regular content because they don’t have all of the same buttons and controls as a regular controller). Some non-game apps may work with the Sense controllers for simple navigation however.

And technically speaking, PSVR 2 can function like a regular high refresh rate (120Hz) HDR TV, which means it will be able to play flat PS5 games that support a 120Hz performance mode and it can correctly display any HDR content that an HDR TV could.

While PSVR 2 automatically runs at 120Hz and HDR mode for VR games, you need to enable both 120Hz and HDR for flat PS5 games and content.

To do so, go to Settings > Accessories > PlayStation VR2 > Cinematic Mode. Then select Video Output for Cinematic Mode. There you’ll find the option for both 120Hz output and HDR.

8. Change the Size of the PSVR 2 Cinematic Mode Screen

So you’re playing PS5 games using your headset like a high performance TV, but maybe you wish your screen was a little bigger or smaller?

Luckily you can easily adjust this by double tapping the PlayStation button on the controller to access the PSVR 2 quick settings, then use the Screen Size slider to adjust the size.

If you want to reposition the screen you can also press and hold the options button (on the right controller) which will move the screen directly in front of you regardless of where you’re looking.

9. Tighten Your Sense Controller Straps the Easy Way

Nobody thinks they’re going to accidentally throw their controller until it happens. That’s why I personally always use my wrist straps when using a VR headset, and recommend others do too. After using VR headsets for more than 10 years, I have smashed 0 TVs and broken 0 controllers.

Luckily Sony has come up with a neat design for the wrist straps on the PS Sense controllers that allows you to tighten them with one hand.

PSVR 2 has a neat ‘self-tightening’ wrist strap. Surprised I haven’t seen this before. pic.twitter.com/v4itutthXm

— Ben Lang  (@benz145) February 21, 2023

To do so just pull the wrist strap so there’s tension on the band, then rotate your wrist to tighten the strap. If it doesn’t seem to be working, try rotating your wrist the other direction.

10. Dark Rooms Are No Longer Ideal

With the original PSVR, you’d get the best headset and controller tracking when playing in a dark room because of the way the tracking system on that headset worked. When everything else was dark, it was easier for the camera to pick up the glowing tracking markers on the headset.

With PSVR 2 now using an inside-out tracking system, playing in a dark room will actually hinder tracking performance rather than help it. In our testing we found the headset is quite good at tracking in low light, but even so it isn’t the ideal way to play.

While too much sunlight (ie: being completely outdoors) is also an issue, playing in a normally lit room will give you the best tracking performance on the headset.

11. Enable Tracking Support for Tough Tracking Conditions

Speaking of tracking performance, if you feel like your headset is having tracking issues, you can turn on an additional option which will use your TV as a tracking marker to make it easier for the headset to have something to lock onto.

To enable Tracking Support on PSVR 2, go to Settings > Accessories > PlayStation VR2 > Tracking Support and turn the option on.

In our testing we found that PSVR 2 tracking is really solid, and for most people this option shouldn’t be necessary. In some specific cases (ie: a room with lots of skylights letting in tons of bright sunlight), or a completely white room with no discernable features, it could be helpful.

Note that this option will only improve head-tracking; if you’re having tracking issues with only your PSVR 2 controllers, something else is likely to blame.

Got any great PSVR 2 tips & tricks to share? Let us know in the comments below!

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‘A Fisherman’s Tale’ Sequel is Coming to All Major VR Platforms Later This Year, Trailer Here

a fisherman's tale, another fishermans tale, innerspace vr, News, psvr 2, vertigo games, VR Game / Ryan Harris / February 22, 2023

A Fisherman’s Tale (2019), the VR adventure from Innerspace and Vertigo Games, is getting a sequel, launching on all major VR platforms this year.

Aptly called Another Fisherman’s Tale, the episodic tale is bringing you back for another round of mindbending VR puzzles which the team says lets you use your own body, detach and control your limbs, and find new attachments to progress.

“Discover the truth as you journey through beautiful and unique locations, brought to life by the makers of A Fisherman’s Tale. Get ready for a captivating VR experience unlike any other,” the description reads in the game’s announcement trailer.

A Fisherman’s Tale puts you in the boots of Bob, a fisherman who lives in a strange, recursive world centered around a dollhouse-sized lighthouse. In the sequel, you return to the story as Bob’s daughter Nina for another round of mind-bending escape room-style puzzles.

We liked the smorgasbord of VR game mechanics in the original, although a big sticking point was its overall playtime, which we clocked in at just around one hour in our review of A Fisherman’s Tale. The sequel is slated to take around five to six hours—promising to offer up plenty of adventure to keep you scratching your head.

Creative Director Balthazar Auxietre of Innerspace VR stated that the goal was “to renew the gameplay and the storytelling [of the first game] while keeping key elements of a universe that has obviously reached the heart of VR gamers.”

He added that the studio’s recent experiences allowed them to “pursue a new level of ambition for the A Fisherman’s Tale franchise, thanks to the multifaceted gameplay and the diversity of the models’ worlds. Everything is in place for a new adventure that will take us across the virtual oceans.”

At the time of this writing, the 2019 A Fisherman’s Tale garnered a user rating of a 93% ‘Very Positive’ rating on Steam, and a [4.5/5] star user rating on Quest.

Another Fisherman’s Tale is slated to arrive sometime this year on PSVR 2, Quest 2, and PC VR headsets via Steam and Viveport.

‘A Fisherman’s Tale’ Sequel is Coming to All Major VR Platforms Later This Year, Trailer Here Read More »