PlayStation VR2, Horizon Call of the Mountain Announced

On the PlayStation 4, the PSv4 introduced thousands of gamers to the joys of virtual reality gaming. Now, Sony has officially announced the PlayStation VR2 and what players can look forward to experiencing.

The official announcement came during CES 2022. During the event, PlayStation CEO Jim Ryan detailed some of the cool features gamers can expect from the new VR device. Specifically, it will have better graphics rendering and be easier to set up. But the most exciting announcement was that the PSVR 2 would feature eye-tracking as well as 4K HDR.

Below, we have a breakdown of PSVR 2 features straight from the official PlayStation Blog:

Visual Fidelity: For a high-fidelity visual experience, PS VR2 offers 4K HDR, 110-degree field of view, and foveated rendering. With an OLED display, players can expect a display resolution of 2000×2040 per eye and smooth frame rates of 90/120Hz.

Headset-based Controller Tracking: With inside-out tracking, PS VR2 tracks you and your controller through integrated cameras embedded in the VR headset. Your movements and the direction you look at are reflected in-game without the need for an external camera.

New Sensory Features: PS VR2 Sense Technology combines eye tracking, headset feedback, 3D Audio, and the innovative PS VR2 Sense controller to create an incredibly deep feeling of immersion. Headset feedback is a new sensory feature that amplifies the sensations of in-game actions from the player. It’s created by a single built-in motor with vibrations that add an intelligent tactile element, bringing players closer to the gameplay experience. For example, gamers can feel a character’s elevated pulse during tense moments, the rush of objects passing close to the character’s head, or the thrust of a vehicle as the character speeds forward. Additionally, PS5’s Tempest 3D AudioTech makes sounds in the player’s surroundings come alive, adding to this new level of immersion.

Eye Tracking: With eye tracking, PS VR2 detects the motion of your eyes, so a simple look in a specific direction can create an additional input for the game character. This allows players to interact more intuitively in new and lifelike ways, allowing for a heightened emotional response and enhanced expression that provide a new level of realism in gaming.

If that’s not enough, here is a fuller dive into the tech specs of this new VR innovation:

PlayStation VR2 Specs

Display method​ | OLED
Panel resolution​ | 2000 x 2040 per eye
Panel refresh rate​ | 90Hz, 120Hz
Lens separation​ | Adjustable
Field of View​ | Approx. 110 degrees
Sensors​ | Motion Sensor: Six-axis motion sensing system (three-axis gyroscope, three-axis accelerometer)​Attachment Sensor: IR Proximity sensor
Cameras​ | 4 cameras for headset and controller tracking​IR camera for eye tracking per eye
Feedback​ | Vibration on headset
Communication​ with PS5 | USB Type-C®
Audio​ | Input: Built-in microphone​Output: Stereo headphone jack

Finally, the PSVR 2 has been optimized to take advantage of a special VR2 Sense controller. Below is a breakdown of how the controller will interact with the headset:

PlayStation VR2 Sense Controllers Specs

Buttons​ | [Right]​PS button, Options button, Action buttons (Circle / Cross), R1 button, R2 button, Right Stick / R3 button​[Left]​PS button, Create button, Action buttons (Triangle / Square), L1 button, L2 button, Left Stick / L3 button
Sensing/ Tracking | Motion Sensor: Six-axis motion sensing system (three-axis gyroscope + three-axis accelerometer)Capacitive Sensor: Finger Touch DetectionIR LED: Position Tracking
Feedback ​ | Trigger Effect (on R2/L2 button), Haptic Feedback (by single actuator per unit)
Port | USB Type-C® Port
Communication​ | Bluetooth® Ver5.1​
Battery​ | Type: Built-in Lithium-ion Rechargeable Battery​

Finally, we got news about the first big exclusive game. Horizon Call of the Mountain is a PSVR2 title from developer Guerilla Games that pairs nicely with the upcoming Horizon Forbidden West. Considering how much Sony has helped hyped Horizon Forbidden West, creating a VR spinoff game shows how much they are seemingly invested in this new technology.

Beyond these technical details, we don’t yet know what the system or its controller will look like. But we what Sony has announced so far is nothing short of exciting, especially for fans of the original PSVR.