Will the PSVR be discontinued? Most signs point to an eventual phase-out
As a passionate gamer and VR enthusiast, I‘ve been closely following the developments around the PSVR headset. With the upcoming launch of the brand new PSVR 2 in February 2023, many have wondered about the future of the original PSVR. After looking closely at all the information available, my verdict is that the PSVR will likely be slowly phased out by Sony over the next 1-2 years eventually leading to discontinuation.
PSVR production will slow temporarily post-PSVR 2 launch
According to recent sales data, the PSVR has sold over 6 million units globally since its launch in 2016. It‘s been a solid seller, especially for first-gen VR tech. However, sales have declined recently to only around 200,000 units in 2021.
With the PSVR 2 expected to launch in February 2023, it‘s anticipated that Sony will slow production of the original PSVR over 2023 to focus on manufacturing the new headset. But rather than immediately discontinue the PSVR entirely, they will likely take a staged approach.
By slowing PSVR production, Sony can extend the phase-out period to 1-2 years. This allows them to gauge PSVR 2 sales and make sure demand is met, while still providing PSVR units for PS4/PS5 users. As a content creator myself, I believe this is the smartest approach for Sony to take.
PSVR discontinuation in 2024/2025 seems likely
Given the PSVR 2‘s cutting-edge specs like 4K HDR displays, advanced haptic feedback, eye tracking, and more powerful PS5 performance, it is expected to sell extremely well.
Early PSVR 2 sales projections estimate 2-3 million units could be sold in the first 12 months. This would eclipse PSVR sales by a huge margin.
If these projections prove accurate, at some point in 2024 or 2025, Sony could decide to fully discontinue the original PSVR. This would make sense from a business perspective, allowing them to focus manufacturing and software resources on the PSVR 2.
As both a PSVR lover and PlayStation fanboy, saying goodbye to the hardware that made console VR a reality will be bittersweet. But the writing seems to be on the wall for the aging PSVR after the PSVR 2 enters the picture.
PSVR games and support will continue via backwards compatibility
An important distinction many players forget is that discontinuing PSVR hardware does not mean discontinuing PSVR games and software support.
Sony has already committed to continuing supporting PSVR with new games even after the PSVR 2 launch. First party studios and third party developers will keep creating PSVR content.
The catch is that the PSVR 2 won‘t have backwards compatibility with original PSVR games. But PS5 users can still experience new PSVR games on the old headset. So from a software perspective, PSVR will live on for years through PS5 backwards compatibility even if production ends.
Affordability will sustain PSVR demand past discontinuation
From analyzing the VR landscape, one factor I believe will keep demand for the original PSVR alive even if discontinued is its unmatched affordability.
The PSVR 2 with PS5 bundle will cost over $1000. But shoppers can currently find a used PSVR headset for around $200 and a used PS4 for $200-250. That means access to the PSVR‘s library for under $500 – a fraction of the cost of PSVR 2 VR.
Here is a comparison of new VR costs:
| Headset | Bundle Cost |
|---|---|
| PSVR | $250-300 |
| PSVR 2 | $1050+ |
| Oculus Quest 2 | $399 |
For budget-focused gamers, even an outdated PSVR on PS4/PS5 will remain appealing after discontinuation. Millions of gamers don‘t have over $1000 to spend on VR. I predict this affordability factor will drive sustained second-hand demand for the original PSVR for at least 2-3 years post-discontinuation.
The future remains unclear, but signs point to an end
Speculating about discontinued production as an industry commentator is always tricky. We can‘t see behind the curtain of Sony‘s plans. But based on all the available information and analysis, the tea leaves strongly suggest an eventual PSVR phase-out.
The PSVR had an impressive run, selling over 6 million units. But the next-gen PSVR 2 is set to take console VR to an entirely new level. As a passionate gamer, I‘m thrilled for the future possibilities. However, it seems the original PSVR‘s days may be numbered as the PSVR 2 era begins.
Sony has not confirmed any timeline for discontinuing PSVR. But once the new headset is firmly established, likely in 2024 or 2025, ending production of the aging PSVR in favor of PSVR 2 just makes business sense. We‘ll have to wait and see how things play out, but for now, the writing seems to be on the wall.
