Playstation advertises the Playstation VR as an extension of a Playstation system, allowing games to be more immersive and interactive. The Playstation itself is needed, along with the cameras and headset add-ons to make the system completely cohesive. Besides gaming, the Playstation VR can provide many other immersive experiences for its users that allow for exciting interactions in the safety and comfort of your own home. There is a lot of competition in the VR world at the moment as the race continues to decide which system is the best and most capable.
Fundamentals
To understand Playstation VR and how it works, a few basic pieces of knowledge are necessary. The system itself includes a series of sensors, cameras, displays inside the headset, as well as a system to process all of the data. The Playstation system itself does all of the heavy lifting. You load up the game, and it sends all of the games information to the headset. Several cameras are placed in front of you, and then you put on the headset. The headset contains sensor to detect which way you move and have screens on the inside to allow you to see the “virtual” world. You then hold two controllers in each hand to interact with objects. All together, these components stack up to give an exciting new experience whether you’re playing a game or if you just want to have an experience for a far lower cost like riding a roller coaster from your living room.
The headset itself offers a six-asis motion sensing system. This is comprised of a three-axis gyroscope, as well as a three-axis accelerometer. These are the types of technologies that exist in smartphones, but taken to a new application. The gyroscope and accelerometers detect motion, vibration, as well as which way you’re facing. GPS has the ability to locate where you currently are, but without a gyroscope and accelerometer, your phone wouldn’t know which way you were walking or facing. Applied to the headset system, some interesting things start happening. The system detects where you’re standing in conjunction with a game environment, and is able to help you interact freely as if you’re actually there.
Key Features
Another key feature of the Playstation VR is it’s amazing field of view. It’s advertised by Playstation to include 100 degrees of view. What that really means, is that it’s capable of moving in any direction so you can see everything around you. Some of the really cool games that are available right now on VR are job simulator its very cartoony but a lot of fun it ranges from being a mechanic an office worker or even a chef. the playstation aim controller is a new technology that has recently come out its essentially a gun that you hold allowing a lot of in depth experiences in the first person genre.
Game titles are one of the key features when it comes to VR. Some games are available across all platforms, while some may only be available for one or the other. Compiled below is a list of the top 10 games for Playstation VR according to Digital Trends.
The video below also features several new and upcoming games that are/will be available for Playstation VR.
Competition
In the VR realm, Playstation is not the first one to the game. They do, however, have several advantages over some of their competition such as the Oculus Rift and HTC Vibe, which are two other VR devices that allow the same type of integration. For most people, price is the first thing that they might look at. Playstation takes the advantage here at around $460, where the Oculus and HTC run towards $600 and upwards to $800. The other major advantage is the fact that Playstation VR runs straight from a Playstation 4 system, which many consumers already own. Other VR systems require a PC with fairly intensive system requirements. For most people, this is not a practical choice. The resolution sits just slightly behind it's competitors but reviewers have stated the difference is not visible to the eye. The device includes audio components for sound, as well as similar motion tracking sensors as the other systems. The only reported shortcoming of the Playstation VR is the controllers used in the hands of the user. It's the same controller used for motion detecting games, but isn't as ergonomic or comfortable to hold as it's competitors.
Another major advantage of the Playstation VR is it's use of proprietery software and hardware to make the system function the way it's supposed to. When using an Oculus Rift or Vibe for example, third party software can interfere with the systems performance and functionality. This may take some time and research to find those such issues. However, with the Playstation VR, it's a simple plug and play experience to help people get up and running much more quickly than the other systems. Playstation designs the software and hardware to provide a seamless experience. It's also able to utilize the games already available on it's platform to provide complete immersion to titles that Playstation fans have been invested in already.
Below features a Youtube video briefly comparing each of the devices and their features.
Conclusion
The Playstation VR system is an extremely versatile source of entertainment that provides hours of fun for all ages. The device itself integrates seamlessly with the Playstation 4 and it's components. It's very easy to set up and relatively easy to start using compared to competitor systems. Although the hardware can limit gameplay experience, the system runs smoothly and gives the same type of immersion you'd find in other systems. As far as the cost is concerned, it's quite affordable and much cheaper compared to other VR systems as well. The headset has been reviewed to be extremely comfortable and includes built in HD audio while you're wearing it. The system is great, and provides a 6th sense type of experience that will leave you wanting more.
Playstation VR
Nate DTable of Contents
Introduction
Playstation advertises the Playstation VR as an extension of a Playstation system, allowing games to be more immersive and interactive. The Playstation itself is needed, along with the cameras and headset add-ons to make the system completely cohesive. Besides gaming, the Playstation VR can provide many other immersive experiences for its users that allow for exciting interactions in the safety and comfort of your own home. There is a lot of competition in the VR world at the moment as the race continues to decide which system is the best and most capable.
Fundamentals
To understand Playstation VR and how it works, a few basic pieces of knowledge are necessary. The system itself includes a series of sensors, cameras, displays inside the headset, as well as a system to process all of the data. The Playstation system itself does all of the heavy lifting. You load up the game, and it sends all of the games information to the headset. Several cameras are placed in front of you, and then you put on the headset. The headset contains sensor to detect which way you move and have screens on the inside to allow you to see the “virtual” world. You then hold two controllers in each hand to interact with objects. All together, these components stack up to give an exciting new experience whether you’re playing a game or if you just want to have an experience for a far lower cost like riding a roller coaster from your living room.
The headset itself offers a six-asis motion sensing system. This is comprised of a three-axis gyroscope, as well as a three-axis accelerometer. These are the types of technologies that exist in smartphones, but taken to a new application. The gyroscope and accelerometers detect motion, vibration, as well as which way you’re facing. GPS has the ability to locate where you currently are, but without a gyroscope and accelerometer, your phone wouldn’t know which way you were walking or facing. Applied to the headset system, some interesting things start happening. The system detects where you’re standing in conjunction with a game environment, and is able to help you interact freely as if you’re actually there.
Key Features
Another key feature of the Playstation VR is it’s amazing field of view. It’s advertised by Playstation to include 100 degrees of view. What that really means, is that it’s capable of moving in any direction so you can see everything around you. Some of the really cool games that are available right now on VR are job simulator its very cartoony but a lot of fun it ranges from being a mechanic an office worker or even a chef. the playstation aim controller is a new technology that has recently come out its essentially a gun that you hold allowing a lot of in depth experiences in the first person genre.
Game titles are one of the key features when it comes to VR. Some games are available across all platforms, while some may only be available for one or the other. Compiled below is a list of the top 10 games for Playstation VR according to Digital Trends.
10. SuperHyperCube
9. RIGS Mechanized Combat League
8. Rez Infinite
7. Bound
6. Thumper
5. Superhot VR
4. Job Simulator
3. Resident Evil 7
2. Farpoint
1. Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes
The video below also features several new and upcoming games that are/will be available for Playstation VR.
Competition
In the VR realm, Playstation is not the first one to the game. They do, however, have several advantages over some of their competition such as the Oculus Rift and HTC Vibe, which are two other VR devices that allow the same type of integration. For most people, price is the first thing that they might look at. Playstation takes the advantage here at around $460, where the Oculus and HTC run towards $600 and upwards to $800. The other major advantage is the fact that Playstation VR runs straight from a Playstation 4 system, which many consumers already own. Other VR systems require a PC with fairly intensive system requirements. For most people, this is not a practical choice. The resolution sits just slightly behind it's competitors but reviewers have stated the difference is not visible to the eye. The device includes audio components for sound, as well as similar motion tracking sensors as the other systems. The only reported shortcoming of the Playstation VR is the controllers used in the hands of the user. It's the same controller used for motion detecting games, but isn't as ergonomic or comfortable to hold as it's competitors.
Another major advantage of the Playstation VR is it's use of proprietery software and hardware to make the system function the way it's supposed to. When using an Oculus Rift or Vibe for example, third party software can interfere with the systems performance and functionality. This may take some time and research to find those such issues. However, with the Playstation VR, it's a simple plug and play experience to help people get up and running much more quickly than the other systems. Playstation designs the software and hardware to provide a seamless experience. It's also able to utilize the games already available on it's platform to provide complete immersion to titles that Playstation fans have been invested in already.
Below features a Youtube video briefly comparing each of the devices and their features.
Conclusion
The Playstation VR system is an extremely versatile source of entertainment that provides hours of fun for all ages. The device itself integrates seamlessly with the Playstation 4 and it's components. It's very easy to set up and relatively easy to start using compared to competitor systems. Although the hardware can limit gameplay experience, the system runs smoothly and gives the same type of immersion you'd find in other systems. As far as the cost is concerned, it's quite affordable and much cheaper compared to other VR systems as well. The headset has been reviewed to be extremely comfortable and includes built in HD audio while you're wearing it. The system is great, and provides a 6th sense type of experience that will leave you wanting more.
Sources:
Basic Information / Game details
playstation.com
Comparison to HTC VIBE / OCULUS RIFT
http://www.ign.com/wikis/playstation-4/PlayStation_VR_vs_PC_Oculus_Rift_vs_Vive_Comparison_Chart
Review of Playstation VR
https://www.theverge.com/2016/10/5/13167954/playstation-vr-review-ps4-psvr-virtual-reality-headset-controllers
Top 10 Games for Playstation VR
https://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/best-playstation-vr-games/#/10