What does Sony’s pause on PlayStation VR2 production mean for the future of virtual reality gaming?

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Sony has put a pause on the production of its PlayStation VR2 headset, aiming to address the surplus of unsold units.

This strategic move comes in light of reports that the PSVR2, which debuted in February 2023, hasn’t gained the sales traction Sony had hoped for, despite an initial production of over 2 million units.

The challenges facing PSVR2 are multifaceted. High costs, a niche market appeal, and the lack of backwards compatibility with the original PSVR games are among the hurdles.

Additionally, the absence of a standout title to drive system sales further complicates its market position. Despite the technical prowess of the PSVR2 and the introduction of notable games like Horizon: Call of the Mountain, the device struggles to justify its price point for many consumers, especially when compared to the cost of a PlayStation 5 console itself.

The introduction of PC support for PSVR2 indicates Sony’s efforts to broaden the device’s appeal beyond the PlayStation ecosystem, potentially opening new avenues for adoption.

However, as the VR market continues to navigate through its complexities, Sony’s current focus is on managing the existing inventory, reflecting the broader challenges within the VR segment to captivate a mainstream audience.