PSVR2 revealed - Sony makes a big shift with the new controller

PSVR2 revealed - Sony makes a big shift with the new controller

A post on the PlayStation blog gives us our first peak at what the controller for PSVR 2 will look like.

The PlayStation Move controller used with the current PSVR will officially be discontinued. Instead, Sony will opt for a controller similar to the Oculus Touch controller for the next generation VR headset.

This "orb" shaped controller will allow for a more natural grip and a fairly high degree of freedom of movement compared to the restrictive wand-like design of the Move controller. Sony states that it has tested this controller for a variety of hand sizes, and it will be comfortable for those with large fists.

Several features that will adorn the PS5's DualSense will also be included in the next-generation PSVR 2 controller. These include adaptive triggers and haptic feedback, which should add even greater immersion to virtual reality gaming.

The controller also includes finger touch detection, which could open up interesting gameplay possibilities since the controller can detect finger placement without button input.

We also know how the controller will be tracked: the PSVR 2 controller will use a tracking ring placed on the bottom of the controller. This already sounds like a big improvement to us; the single-camera tracking of the Move controller's illuminated rubber ball was, after all, the Achilles' heel of the original PSVR.

The biggest news, however, is contained at the end of Sony's blog post: the PSVR 2 controller will have analog sticks on both the left and right! If you have ever tried to play a PSVR game with free movement, you will know how important an addition this is. Not having to deal with the frustrating point-and-click movement often employed in current PSVR games is a selling point for the system on its own.

The left controller will also feature triangle and square buttons, L1, L2, and the PS5 "Create" button. The right controller will have a cross and round button, R1, R2, and an option button.

Sony does not name the PSVR 2 controller in this post, only referring to it as "the new VR controller" PlayStation Orbs, anyone?

Also, Sony has already confirmed that the PSVR 2 headset will not be available in 2021, but has not indicated when we will actually be able to get these controllers. So it will still be at least a year before we will actually be able to try these controllers.

Hopefully, it won't be too long until Sony reveals full details and launch information for the PSVR 2 headset itself. At this point, it is shaping up to be a very impressive VR setup.

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