Former Sony Exec’s Shocking Confession: PSVR2 Flopped!

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Summary

  • PSVR2 didn’t meet expectations, Yoshida for not being as popular as PS2.
  • PSVR2 struggled with hardware sales compared to previous PlayStation systems.
  • Lackluster performance improved with new game releases, indicating potential for future success.

Shuhei Yoshida expresses regret that the PlayStation VR2 didn’t achieve the same level of popularity as the PS2 did. Launched in February 2023 amidst high anticipation, the PlayStation VR2 was expected to broaden virtual reality (VR) from its limited role in gaming to a more mainstream acceptance. Despite some success, it fell short of fully living up to these expectations.

After the launch of PSVR2, it quickly became evident that the PlayStation hardware was facing some challenges, managing to sell only a few hundred thousand units in its initial months, whereas the original system sold a million within the same timeframe. Games such as “Resident Evil 4 VR” and “Horizon: Call of the Mountain” helped maintain interest in PSVR2 by associating these popular IPs with PlayStation’s innovative new hardware. However, this wasn’t sufficient to keep the platform flourishing. Although the PSVR2 continues to receive updates, it seems that the level of focus and attention given to the system post-launch has significantly decreased, suggesting that PlayStation’s primary concerns regarding the hardware have shifted.

During an episode of Kinda Funny Gamescast, Shuhei Yoshida, a former Sony executive, spoke about the PSVR2, stating “I apologize for any misunderstanding, PSVR2 is not like PS2.” Greg Miller then asked, “What happened with PSVR2?” To this, Yoshida chuckled and said, “Let’s focus on something else.” Following its 2023 launch, the performance of PSVR2 has been criticized for falling short compared to other popular PlayStation hardware. While his comments don’t represent an official stance, Yoshida’s admission that PlayStation VR2 could have been better might offer some solace to those who feel it underperformed.

Former Sony Exec Apologizes For PSVR2’s Stumbles

Yoshida and Miller examined the topic from a humorous angle, suggesting that compared to the PS2 and even the advanced PS5, the PSVR2 may not have met Sony’s expectations due to its perceived underperformance. However, with two years passing since its release, it seems that the hardware might have finally received some of the support it could have benefited from earlier.

By the close of 2024, the PlayStation VR2 added several games such as “Trombone Champ: Unflattened” and “Alien: Rogue Incursion.” These were followed by a virtual reality launch of “Hitman: World of Assassination,” scheduled for March in 2025. Over time, the popularity of PSVR2 grew, suggesting that while its price was initially steep, it needed a larger variety of more appealing games – something the PlayStation 2 was well-known for. Despite initial struggles, there’s potential that the PSVR2 could continue to thrive.

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2025-01-19 00:44