How Sony can save the PSVR2 – Reader’s Feature

Virtual reality gaming has been around for some time, but it has yet to become as mainstream as some industry insiders had hoped.

With the recent release of the PlayStation VR2, Sony has an opportunity to bring VR gaming to the forefront. To achieve this, Sony should focus on a three-point strategy that includes releasing modern VR versions of PlayStation classics, updating last gen games with a VR mode, and adding VR modes to underperforming games.

The first point of this strategy is to release modern VR versions of PlayStation classics, such as Ridge Racer, WipEout, and Colony Wars. By updating these classic games for VR, Sony could tap into the nostalgia factor and attract both long-time fans and new players who are interested in VR. The current most high profile PlayStation VR2 games (Gran Turismo 7 and Resident Evil Village) both have a long history with PlayStation, which I’m sure is no coincidence.

It’s also hard not to forget the hype when Sony announced the Final Fantasy 7 remake alongside Shenmue 3 and The Last Guardian back in 2015. Much like Xbox have the day one on Game Pass slogan Sony could greatly reinforce the PlayStation VR2 with a ‘Day one in VR’ at the end of their game announcements, going forward.

However, the second and third points of the strategy could also help Sony attract a wider audience to the PlayStation VR2.

The second point of the strategy is to update PlayStation 4 games for VR. Sony could copy the PC mod scene and release VR updates to some of the best or most successful games for the PlayStation 4, giving players a new way of experiencing games they have enjoyed before. This could include games like Grand Theft Auto 5, Red Dead Redemption 2, Resident Evil 2 and 3, Cyberpunk 2077, Spider-Man, Star Wars: Battlefront 2, etc. Games that are graphically impressive and in theory could run well on PlayStation 5 in VR.

All of these games have been modded for VR on PC, plus lots more. Updating these games for VR could attract a large number of players who are already invested in these games.

There are also games that already have VR versions, such as Hitman and Sniper Elite, that could benefit from updates for the PlayStation VR2. These updates could provide a more polished and immersive VR experience for players who enjoyed the earlier versions. The PlayStation VR2 could potentially attract players who have not yet tried VR, as they may be more likely to try a VR version of a game they are already familiar with. This also potentially gives newcomers to VR a vast back catalogue of games they already own, when first purchasing the hardware.

The third point of the strategy is to add VR modes to underperforming games. This could include games like the Dead Space remake, as Resident Evil 7 and Village has already shown how well suited horror is to VR. However, Sony could also look to have VR modes added to other games that have not met sales expectations, such as Battlefield 2042. By adding VR modes to these games, Sony could give them a new lease of life and attract players who are interested in the unique experience that VR can offer.

I imagine Call Of Duty would be a dream for a lot of people, whether that is the full game or Warzone, but the pace of that game could be quite uncomfortable in VR; maybe something like PUBG or Fortnite would be more achievable. Fortnite and a Minecraft upgrade for PlayStation VR2 should be high on Sony’s list of priorities in general, due to the size of the player-base.

I don’t have the PlayStation VR2 yet but plan to soon. For me, even with its limitations PlayStation VR had some of the best experiences I had in gaming in the last decade. It’s problem, which it seems to share with VR in general, was that a lot of what it offered was gimmicky or poorly realised. I hope the leap in technology will address that. VR may never be the primary way of gaming, but it can certainly be more than a gimmicky distraction.

By reader Rankmed

The reader’s feature does not necessary represent the views of GameCentral or Metro.

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