The PlayStation VR2 finds itself grappling with challenges, as indicated by a recent report from Bloomberg on March 17. Sony’s venture into the realm of virtual reality has hit a snag, with the PS5’s VR headset failing to gain the expected traction in sales, resulting in an accumulation of unsold inventory.

Bloomberg’s findings reveal that since its launch in February 2023, Sony has manufactured a substantial 2 million units of the PSVR2 headset. However, sales figures have been dwindling consistently each quarter, as reported by the International Data Corporation. This downward trend echoes an earlier Bloomberg report from January 2023, highlighting the rocky beginnings of Sony’s foray into VR. Preceding the release of the PlayStation VR2, Sony was purportedly grappling with meeting its own pre-order projections, although the company later refuted these claims.

Several factors contribute to the apparent struggle of the PSVR2 in gaining consumer favor. One glaring issue is its steep price tag, surpassing even that of the PlayStation 5 itself. Additionally, the VR market remains relatively niche, primarily due to its prohibitive cost and the limited availability of blockbuster titles tailored for VR gameplay. Moreover, VR headsets often prove cumbersome to wear and may induce motion sickness in certain users, further deterring widespread adoption. Compounding these challenges is the lack of backward compatibility with games designed for the original PSVR headset, adding another hurdle for potential buyers to contend with.

Furthermore, the absence of a standout system-selling game exacerbates the PSVR2’s predicament. While titles like Horizon: Call of the Mountain sought to anchor Sony’s flagship franchises to the headset upon its launch, much of the device’s lineup comprises novelty games that serve as impressive tech demonstrations but fall short of justifying the significant investment required. Comparatively, the original PSVR managed to secure around 5 million unit sales by 2020, a modest figure when juxtaposed with the staggering 106 million PlayStation 4 consoles sold during that period. Sony’s announcement of testing PSVR2 compatibility with PC may offer a glimmer of hope, potentially broadening its market appeal beyond proprietary hardware restrictions and potentially revitalizing its sales prospects.