PlayStation

How To Set Up PlayStation VR

by Sohrab Osati | Oct 13, 2016 | 0 comments

For those of you who are planning on picking up PlayStation VR (and do tell us in our poll), Sony has put together a three part video to aid you. Over all, setup of PS VR is as simple as connecting the unit to your PS4 and ensuring PlayStation Camera has an optimal view of you, but the three short videos are still worth a watch, especially if your unit (like ours) has yet to arrive and you’re grasping for anything VR-related to pass the time.

Something to consider as well is that this is one of the biggest reasons why, in comparison to Oculus and HTC, PS VR is going to be a runaway success. There is no compatibility gauge, driver firmware, or OS updates needed. If you have a PS4, PS VR works – it’s that simple.

PlayStation VR Launch Titles

by Sohrab Osati | Oct 12, 2016 | 2 comments

Are you hyped about the launch of PlayStation VR? If not, according to WSJ, you should be. One of the biggest problems new consoles face when they launch is a drought of games. Sure there might be a handful of titles upon release but it usually takes months before additional big titles launch. Seeing that PS VR is built on top of PS4 and has been in the public eye for some time, developers haven’t had the constraints they normally face like secrecy and limited time with the console. As this point, most of the devs involved have spent at least a few years with PS4 hardware so instead of learning something entirely new, they need to ‘simply’ build on top of it.

To that end, gamers should be pleased to know that PlayStation VR launch titles will include the likes of Battlezone, Batman: Arkham VR, Eve: Valkyrie, and Rez Infinite on day one with more on the way during November and December.

PS4 Gaining 360 Video & Photo Support for PS VR

by Sohrab Osati | Oct 12, 2016 | 0 comments

Though unclear exactly when (likely in the next 24 hours if I were a betting man), the PS4 Media Player will be receiving an update to bring additional support for PS VR.

PS4 Media Player v2.50 coming soon, adds support for high-res (FLAC) audio files, and user generated 360 videos / photos viewable in VR

— PlayStation (@PlayStation) October 12, 2016

WSJ PlayStation VR Review – “Best Way to Bring VR Home”

by Sohrab Osati | Oct 12, 2016 | 2 comments

In less than 24 hours, and for some, in less than 12 hours, PlayStation VR will launch and mark the official launch of virtual reality as we know it. Sure, there have been VR rigs in the past and perhaps most notably, the arrival of Oculus Rift and HTC Vive 6 months ago, but to a degree, both systems have been met with a shrug. Sure, you’ll read about how amazing each system is on tech blogs (and they are quite great), but that means little when VR’s biggest challenge is getting to consumers. For them, each system is too cumbersome to put on, limited in terms of where/how you can use them, and most importantly, far too expensive. On top of that, the general consumer has never heard of either brand – but PlayStation? That’s a name known all too well by gamers and non-gamers alike.

Geoffrey A. Fowler has written a pretty great PlayStation VR review for the WSJ, but perhaps the most profound part of the review if he’s right (and I believe he is) is how he starts it off:

It’s only October, and I’ve already discovered what your teenagers will beg for this Christmas: Sony PlayStation VR.

Sony Playing a Dangerous Game With Microsoft?

by Sohrab Osati | Oct 11, 2016 | 2 comments

Matt Weinberger has written an interesting piece for Business Insider arguing that Sony has to be careful to not overly on PlayStation and at first glance, I don’t disagree. He writes:

In July, Sony reported that a whopping 78% of its $546 million in first-quarter profits came from the segment that encompasses PlayStation, making it the company’s golden goose.

That’s especially noteworthy in two ways – one, that despite shipping a wide array of products that range from $50 Blu-ray players to $600 phones and $2,000 TVs, that PlayStation, a single SKUed product until PS VR and PS4 Pro launch and its varying services like PS Vue and PS Now, is dominating their bottom line – and two, that until just a few years ago, the PlayStation division, because of how expensive it was to make PS3, was draining billions away from Sony. How times change – and that’s Weinbergers entire argument. He goes on to say that:

Former PlayStation President and CEO Jack Tretton Has Some Nice Things to Say About Nintendo

by Sohrab Osati | Oct 10, 2016 | 0 comments

One of the less than flattering parts about the gaming industry that’s manifested itself into the both consumers and the professionals who make it is the ‘bro’ culture. It can be seen from gamers who enjoy nothing more than trolling owners of a different console or from executives who get on stage and deliver keynotes filled with mudslinging. Luckily for you and I, whether it’s because of the collective age of the industry going up or a sea change due to those who lead these companies, the situation has improved. In fact, Xbox head Phil Spencer has repeatedly praised PlayStation publicly and called out those in his own camp who’ve looked to fan the flames.

Now Jack Tretton, former Sony Computer Entertainment America President and CEO has some praise for one of his previous competitors.

GameStop Will Have PlayStation VR in Stock for Midnight Launch

by Sohrab Osati | Oct 7, 2016 | 0 comments

Pre-orders of PlayStation VR sold out pretty quickly and every subsequent pre-order stock of them has met a similar fate. Demand is, in fact, so high (though high should be kept in context with supply that likely isn’t in the millions upon millions) that Amazon has stated those in the UK who pre-ordered might not get their hands on a headset till November. Luckily a lot of retailers like Best Buy and GameStop are stepping up with midnight launch events and perhaps more importantly, PS VR units.

PlayStation VR – The Most Comfortable VR Headset Ever

by Sohrab Osati | Oct 5, 2016 | 0 comments

The success of PlayStation VR is going to be tied exclusively to two things – does it make you nauseous? – and how comfortable is it to strap the damn thing to your head? In fact, that statement is true for the entire VR industry as a whole. Judging from my time spent with different VR headsets at CES and later this year at E3, it’s easy to say the initial hurdle has been crossed. Don’t get me wrong, some titles can still make you nauseous (I’m looking at you, RIGS) but that’s mostly attributed to how much a developer is pushing the envelope in a given game and over time, with more powerful hardware, it’s one that will be solved.

But if I handed you an Oculus Rift and a $2,000 gaming rig, no matter how smooth the graphics are, it’s not going to stop you from wanting to rip off the headset after some time with it, due to discomfort. Ben Kuchera writing for Polygon:

nDreams CEO Praises PS VR

by Sohrab Osati | Oct 5, 2016 | 4 comments

On the heels of Flavio Parenti, CEO of Loading Human who believes PS VR will become the VR standard comes praises from another CEO. Patrick O’Luanaigh who leads nDreams believes that because of PS VR’s lower price point which puts it at half of its competitors, the new addition to the virtual landscape is poised to lead. Price point aside, the simple fact of needing a high-end PC rig will be another obstacle for Oculus and HTC which PS VR won’t face. O’Luanaigh went on to say:

PlayStation VR to Become “the VR Standard”

by Sohrab Osati | Oct 4, 2016 | 0 comments

In just a little over a weeks time, PlayStation VR, potentially one of the most ambitious projects from Sony is set to launch. Unlike the a slim model PlayStation or even the PS4 Pro which is something they’ve never done before, PS VR has the ability to change the medium. Where before, Sony tried its hands at something like PS Move which despite being superior to the Wii’s technology failed to catch on because of how late it arrived, PS VR is ahead of the curve. Yes the Oculus Rift and HTC Vive have already hit market but that only happened a few months ago and when PS VR does release, it will cost considerably less than it’s competitors.

Now, some developers like Flavio Parenti, CEO of Loading Human believe the new addition to the PlayStation lineup could become the standard for VR.

PlayStation Vue Ultra Plan Gives You HBO, Showtime & 100+ Channels

by Sohrab Osati | Oct 4, 2016 | 2 comments

ps_vue_ultra_pricing

A follow up on yesterdays story about HBO and Showtime arriving on PS Vue. In addition to those two premium channels being added to Vue’s offerings, the service has also added a new ‘Ultra’ tier which combines over 100+ channels with HBO and Showtime for $74.99.

Additionally, we’re also excited to share that a new PlayStation Vue plan, Ultra, will be available to users starting today. Ultra includes HBO and Showtime, plus all the 100+ channels from Elite available for $64.99 or $74.99 per month depending on location.

As you can see from the listing above, PS Vue starts at $29.99 for $55 channels and goes from there. As for that asterisk at the bottom of each pricing:

PS4 Receives Price Cut in India

by Sohrab Osati | Oct 3, 2016 | 2 comments

With the PS4 slim having launched world wide and PS4 Pro set to be released in a little over a months time, Sony is doing some inventory management which requires clearing out the old for the new. To that end, the original PS4 has received a nice price cut in India. Rishi Alwani writing for Gadgets 360:

HBO and Cinemax Now Available on PS Vue

by Sohrab Osati | Oct 3, 2016 | 0 comments

PlayStation Vue has just gained two important channels, HBO and Cinemax. Announced in early September, the new additions add to the plethora of other premium channels already available on PS Vue like Showtime. But perhaps the best part is that with PS Vue, you won’t need to partake in some tier based channels in order to get any of their premium channels – instead each channel can be subscribed to individually. Dwayne (not The Rock) Benefield, Vice President, head of PlayStation Vue:

PlayStation VR Launching at Midnight in 350 Best Buy Stores

by Sohrab Osati | Sep 30, 2016 | 2 comments

Unless you’ve pre-ordered PlayStation VR, getting one on launch date is likely to be a challenge due to high demand and low inventory. Even those who’ve pre-ordered through Amazon are not guaranteed to get one on October 13th and could wait over a month for their headset to arrive. Luckily not all hope is lost thanks to Best Buy.

Those Who Pre-ordered PS VR Through Amazon Could Wait Up to 2 Months

by Sohrab Osati | Sep 29, 2016 | 0 comments

A bit of a bummer if you were hoping to get your hands on PlayStation VR in October during its launch. According to Amazon UK, due to limited stock and high demand, some customers who pre-ordered PS VR might not actually get their hands on it till December 12th. On the plus side, at least it will be before Christmas right?