The PS 4 is considered the most successful console of the current generation. It had a stronger start than Microsoft’s XBOX and has been keeping up with the tendencies of the new times with PS 4 Pro and the VR headset they have been developing.
Games Industry reports that Playstation 4 has managed to reach an envious success. The console has managed to sell over 50 million copies worldwide during the Black Friday promotions. At the moment, the console has managed to sell almost 370 million copies worldwide. One of the reasons for this success is the release of PS 4 Pro, a modified system which enables the playing of games on cutting edge quality with resolutions reaching 4K. Another reason for the success are their exclusive partnerships with several game developers. Just a single example is Hideo Kojima with his new title “Death Stranding”, which will be a PS 4 exclusive title.
Another strong part in sales has been played by Sony’s advancement on the VR market. The PS 4 VR Headset has been released for the console and it offers satisfying results at a reasonable price. IT Pro gives a thorough review of the headset. Launched on 13 October, the PS VR headset cost £349 which made it the cheapest, thus most easily accessible VR headset on the market.
The PS VR headset offers a full 360 degree immersion into the game environment, with enable motion tracking which adequately reflects the player’s movements. Interactions in the game are performed by the standard Dualshock controller, or by the Playstation move pieces, which have finally found some use. The headset is comfortable and cheap, even though the PS 4 struggles with producing the visuals of more dynamic environments.
Daily Star reports that even though sold as a gaming console, the future of PS VR may not be looking in that direction. PS officials have claimed that even though tempting, VR gaming is not very profitable. VR video productions and broadcasts is where the company will be focusing their main efforts. Video is easier and cheaper to produce than games, it appeals to a bigger audience and functions on all available headsets almost without a problem. Gamers may be disappointed to hear this, but Sony will be focusing mainly on video and sports broadcasts on their VR and less on producing games for it.
