PlayStation VR2 Gets Surprise Hand Tracking Feature
PlayStation VR2 owners are in for a treat, as Sony quietly revealed a new feature at SIGGRAPH Asia 2024: controller-free hand tracking. Spotted at the company’s booth, the addition was described as "available with the latest SDK of PlayStation 5," hinting that developers can already start integrating it into their games.
The booth also indicates the system boasts a smooth 60 FPS tracking rate, promising a responsive and immersive experience. This development aligns PlayStation VR2 with other industry leaders like Meta Quest, Pico, and HTC Vive, all of which have offered standard hand tracking for some time.
The arrival of hand tracking on PlayStation VR2 opens up exciting possibilities for developers. Games that already feature hand tracking, such as the popular rhythm title Unplugged, might offer updates to add PlayStation VR2 compatibility.
Furthermore, this could entice developers to port over titles focused entirely on hand tracking, expanding the library of unique experiences available on Sony’s platform. Imagine effortlessly manipulating objects, playing virtual instruments, or engaging in social interactions within virtual worlds, all without the need for physical controllers.
The announcement’s clandestine nature is somewhat surprising. Without an official press release or dedicated blog post, the news surfaced only through observant attendees at SIGGRAPH. We’ve reached out to Sony directly to confirm the availability of the feature for developers and will update this article accordingly.
Footage from X user kure.
Adding to the intrigue, Sony recently slashed the price of PlayStation VR2, making it more accessible than ever. Just two weeks ago, the company announced a major price drop, bringing the headset down to $350 for the remainder of the year. This price includes the highly acclaimed launch title Horizon Call of the Mountain, making it an exceptional bundle for new VR enthusiasts.
Should developers embrace hand tracking, those who recently purchased PlayStation VR2 could find themselves surprised by a whole new level of immersion and innovation.
PS VR2 Is $350 With Horizon Call Of The Mountain In Mega Sale
PlayStation VR2 with Horizon Call of the Mountain is $350 until January 3, its deepest discount yet.
– What are the potential impacts of adding controller-free hand tracking on game development for PSVR2?
## New PSVR2 Feature: Hand Tracking Takes Center Stage
**HOST:** Welcome back to the show! Today, we have a special guest joining us to discuss some exciting news regarding the PlayStation VR2. John, thanks for joining us!
**JOHN:** Thanks for having me.
**HOST:** Now, let’s dive right in. Sony quietly revealed a game-changing feature for their VR headset at SIGGRAPH Asia 2024. Can you tell us more about it?
**JOHN:** Absolutely! Sony is adding controller-free hand tracking to the PSVR2. This means players can interact with the virtual world using their natural hand movements instead of controllers. It’s a huge leap forward for immersive gaming!
**HOST:** That’s incredible! This puts the PSVR2 in league with other VR platforms, like Meta Quest and HTC Vive, that already offer hand tracking. How do you think this will impact game development on the PSVR2?
**JOHN:** I see this opening up a whole world of possibilities! We might see existing games that already feature hand tracking, like the popular rhythm game *Unplugged*, get updated for the PSVR2. Plus, this could encourage developers to create entirely new games that leverage this technology, leading to fresh and innovative experiences.
**HOST:** Can you imagine the possibilities?
**JOHN:** Absolutely! Imagine controlling objects with your hands, playing virtual instruments, or even engaging in social interactions within virtual worlds, all without needing controllers. It’s truly groundbreaking.
**HOST:** This announcement was somewhat surprising, as it wasn’t officially announced by Sony.
**JOHN:** That’s right! The news came from observant attendees at SIGGRAPH who spotted the feature at Sony’s booth. It’s interesting that they chose this route, but it certainly adds to the excitement surrounding the feature.
**HOST:** Well, John, thanks for sharing your insights on this exciting development. It will be fascinating to see how this new feature shapes the future of VR gaming.
**JOHN:** My pleasure! I’m eager to see what developers come up with.
