Sony could be just weeks away from announcing a VR headset for the PlayStation 4, as sources suggest they are working on an alternative to Oculus Rift.
Multiple stories have emerged today that Sony is working on a virtual headset for the PlayStation 4, with the developers of launch game Driveclub already experimenting with the technology.
Website Eurogamer claims there were plans to unveil the headset at Gamescom last month but according to their sources it’s not now likely to be unveiled until next year.
Rival website CVG has a similar story, apparently from separate sources, but they claim that a reveal at the Tokyo Game Show – due to start on September 20 – is currently the plan.
Speaking to our own sources, who are aware of Sony’s plans, we were told that the Eurogamer story is ‘not far from the truth’. This includes the timing of any announcement, which we’ve been told is not currently a part of Sony’s Tokyo Game Show plans.
That could change though and certainly there seems no question that Sony is working on a headset, with Sony Worldwide Studios boss Shuhei Yoshida having already refused to deny it on several occasions.
Sony has released general purpose virtual reality helmets before, with the latest HMZ-T2 model costing around £1,000. A PlayStation 4 version would have to be considerably cheaper to be a mass market concern, although it’s still never going to be cheap.
[Update: In a very odd bit of timing Sony has today announced the HMZ-T3W, an enhanced version that will set you back £1,300. Although it's no doubt using some of the same technology as the PlayStation 4 headset there doesn't seem to be any more direct connection, but it is obviously a huge coincidence that these stories should all break today.]
A perhaps surprising aside to the story is that there’s been relatively little word of a rival device from Microsoft, although they are believed to be working on a Google Glass style AR device.
Despite making headlines on the PC there’s also no sign of any console compatibility for Oculus Rift, nor any suggestion that one of the big console manufacturers might try to buy the company outright.
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