Significant Price Reduction on PlayStation VR2 Headset Before Hitman Release

PlayStation VR2 was launched two years ago at a price of $550. It was an impressive virtual reality headset but many found the price to be quite high. Now, in response to reports of poor sales, Sony has announced a price drop to $400, effective from March. This raises questions about whether the lower price will boost sales of the PS VR2 or if it’s just a final effort to sell off remaining stock before the PlayStation 5 becomes obsolete.

Sony recently shared some good news for those who have been considering trying out the PlayStation VR2. Starting in March, they will reduce the recommended retail price of the headset, making it as affordable as the original PS VR was back in 2016. Initially, in 2023, PS VR2 was sold with the game Horizon Call of the Mountain for a total of $600. While it received praise for its quality and comfort, the high price discouraged many potential buyers. Additionally, unlike Meta’s more affordable Oculus headset, the PS VR2 requires a PlayStation 5 to function and doesn’t support games from the original PS VR.

Reports indicated that Sony was having trouble meeting sales targets for the PS VR2, leading to a halt in production early last year due to an excess of unsold units, according to Bloomberg. While there was a consistent release of new games for the headset and adapters to connect it to PCs, the sales figures still did not show much improvement. At one point last summer, the device was even offered at a discount of $200.

A big question that arises is why Sony waited so long to significantly cut the price. It’s possible that the costs of manufacturing decreased recently, making the price drop feasible. After all, losing money on devices for a stagnant market wouldn’t make sense for a company like Sony. Yet, it’s important to recognize that games drive console sales. Without strong support from Sony, the library for PS VR2 has struggled to develop fully. If Sony isn’t prepared to invest in its own hardware, how can other developers be expected to take risks on it?

Despite the challenges, there are still some games available for the PS VR2. In its announcement, Sony highlighted new titles like Alien: Rogue Incursion, Skydance’s Behemoth, and Metro Awakening VR, along with upcoming releases such as Hitman World of Assassination. However, there doesn’t appear to be a standout game that could attract a larger audience any time soon.

In summary, while the price drop may give the PlayStation VR2 a chance for resurgence in sales, the overall future of the device still seems uncertain. It will be interesting to see if this new price point can revive interest in the headset and if Sony will continue to support it with compelling games.