Disappointing pre-order numbers have forced Japanese technology conglomerate Sony Group Corp (NYSE:SONY) to slash the output of its upcoming VR2 gaming headset by up to 50%, sources have stated.
Sources told Bloomberg that Sony has revised shipments from two million to one million units of the headsets which, at a launch price of US$549, are nearly 40% more expensive than the PlayStation 5 gaming console required to use the device.
Reduced discretionary spending amid a global inflation crisis has undoubtedly lessened the pool of would-be buyers, though a lack of attention-grabbing launch titles may also be a contributing factor.
Sony V2 will launch on February 22 with 37 available titles, including VR versions of Gran Turismo 7, Resident Evil Village and No Man’s Sky, but the lack of original titles and exclusives could prove a mistake for Sony.
VR2 launch titles include a first-person VR experience set in the Horizon universe, as a reimagining of Tetris – Source: blog.playstation.com
Meta (former Facebook (NASDAQ:META))’s significantly cheaper (and subsidised) Quest headset dominates the VR market with approximately 90% of market share.
On that note, Meta is starting to test members-only worlds in its free Horizon Worlds virtual reality platform in a push to expand Meta’s metaverse ambitions into newer markets.
“Just like personal space gives people a place to call their own, members-only worlds let creators build and cultivate a space where a community of people can come together to enjoy a curated experience,” the company wrote in a blog post.
The blog continued: “They’ll be able to grant exclusive access to VIP supporters, create a dedicated space to showcase their world design portfolio to the creator community, host a book club, gather a gaming group, organize a support group, or just hang out with friends and family—all without worrying about uninvited guests.”
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