Project Morpheus Release Date News: Virtual Reality Headset Nearly Ready, But No Games Available
Project Morpheus, the virtual reality headset that Sony Computer Entertainment is developing, is set to change the way people play video games in the near future. Sony revealed at the Games Development Conference 2015 that the consumer version of the headset will be ready for launch sometime during the first half of 2016, adding that "on the hardware side, we are very close to final."
Sony showed participants attending the GDC 2015 the second prototype of the headset which showed "significant improvements compared to the original that was unveiled last year." This year's prototype has a better 1920 x 1080 RGD OLED display, a 120hz refresh rate for "super low latency" and "a more ergonomic design" for easier and comfortable wear, according to The Verge.
Sony's President for worldwide studios of Sony Computer Entertainment said during GDC that they will be ready to ship early next year. But the report also mentions one crucial component in order for the headset to actually sell – the games or software that is needed to use the headset. No games have been developed for the headset yet. Sony has only developed demonstration software in order to showcase what the virtual reality experience is like when using the headsets. These include "The London Heist," a short crime caper and "The Deep," where the user experiences being in a underwater cage and attacked by an angry shark.
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The headset will essentially work with a PlayStation 4 console. Sony Computer Entertainment is naturally looking seriously into developing VR games that are suited for Project Morpheus. A few other companies such as Oculus already have a VR film studio.
Another report in Polygon features a discussion with Yoshida about the headset's price when it comes out in the market. Sony does not indicate a price point nor a price range so far.
Yoshida thinks that marketing a product such as this will be difficult.
"That's the number one challenge, people ask us what's the number one challenge for Project Morpheus? I say get people to try it. Unless you try it, you don't understand how good or how great it is. The second best thing is to watch people playing it," he said.
