With the Consumer Electronics Show 2022 underway, there are always going to be new announcements and reveals that are surprises. One of those just happens to be from Sony, which has just announced a new game, Horizon Call of the Mountain, for its upcoming next-gen virtual reality headset, PlayStation VR 2.
In separate blog posts, the company shared more details about both the hardware and software. Horizon Call of the Mountain, developed by Guerrilla Games and Firesprite Games, will be a brand new adventure that was created to push hardware technology, innovation, and gameplay.
The story will be told through a new character, and players will be able to meet Aloy along with other new and familiar faces along the way, and the immersion will be improved with the new PS VR 2 Sense controllers. More details are incoming in the near future.
As for the hardware, the official name is now PlayStation VR 2, while the controllers’ moniker is now the PlayStation VR 2 Sense controllers. Just like the PS5, the company has put considerable thought into the innovations required for this upgrade, and players can look forward to the following improvements:
- Visual Fidelity: For a high-fidelity visual experience, PS VR 2 offers 4K HDR, 110-degree field of view, and foveated rendering. With an OLED display, players can expect a display resolution of 2000×2040 per eye and smooth frame rates of 90/120Hz.
- Headset-based Controller Tracking: With inside-out tracking, PS VR 2 tracks you and your controller through integrated cameras embedded in the VR headset. Your movements and the direction you look at are reflected in-game without the need for an external camera.
- New Sensory Features: PS VR 2 Sense Technology combines eye tracking, headset feedback, 3D Audio, and the innovative PS VR 2 Sense controller to create an incredibly deep feeling of immersion. Headset feedback is a new sensory feature that amplifies the sensations of in-game actions from the player. It’s created by a single built-in motor with vibrations that add an intelligent tactile element, bringing players closer to the gameplay experience. For example, gamers can feel a character’s elevated pulse during tense moments, the rush of objects passing close to the character’s head, or the thrust of a vehicle as the character speeds forward. Additionally, PS5’s Tempest 3D AudioTech makes sounds in the player’s surroundings come alive, adding to this new level of immersion.
- Eye Tracking: With eye tracking, PS VR 2 detects the motion of your eyes, so a simple look in a specific direction can create an additional input for the game character. This allows players to interact more intuitively in new and lifelike ways, allowing for a heightened emotional response and enhanced expression that provide a new level of realism in gaming.
All of these bells and whistles will be combined with the haptic feedback and adaptive triggers found in the Sense controllers, further immersing you into the game. Setup is also made much simpler, with just a single cable connected to the PS5 to get things started.
Pricing and release dates have not yet been set for the PlayStation VR 2 or Horizon Call of the Mountain. However, based on the details shared, it seems like Sony is definitely making the right moves in the VR gaming space.
Jake is a full-time trophy hunter and achievement gatherer on consoles, and part-time Steam Sale victim. He has a thing for Batman and awesome statues, and running out of space for both. Send help.
Si Jia
