Better tech to "feel" the Metaverse, media franchises and 30MM PS5 owners are why
I've long said Sony's new PSVR2 would do what no other company has been able to do yet - mainstream VR for the masses. One week with my PSVR2 has done nothing to make me believe otherwise because of Sony's unique combination of built-in advantages.
Many will point to Meta's traction mainstreaming VR with one of my own favorite talking points that more Quest 2 units were sold in Q42021 than XBox Consoles. Unfortunately Meta has a significant attention and retention problem: owners quickly stop using the headsets with any frequency and few buy new models. Others from HTC to Valve wish they had that traction.
Only Sony can bring together these three critical areas to mainstream VR:
Tech: Innovation is part of Sony's DNA with each PlayStation generation pioneering new ways to immerse gamers. PSVR2's hand controls provide a seemingly impossible degree of haptic touch to feel the road's vibration of a Nissan GT-R in your forearms in GranTurismo or rewarding the most delicate touch when grabbing items in Job Simulator.
Media Franchises: Movies, entertainment and music are prominently featured in PSVR2 marketing and user materials alongside gaming. Spider-Man, Men in Black, Ghostbusters, Jumanji and the resurgent Karate Kid are Sony franchises that are both popular and ripe for more experiential elements. Sony has already heavily leveraged Spider-Man to sell PlayStations as another asset only they possess as a tech manufacturer.
30 Million PS5 Owners Today: The PSVR2 is being integrated into the PlayStation experience with dozens of new games being released and media apps being updated to deliver pro sports, movies and music in VR. Other headsets must compete for attention (and usually lose) with phones, streaming, PCs and gaming consoles. Sony is the first to add a next generation VR headset into its ecosystem where it becomes habit for tens of millions worldwide.
That unparalleled combination of tech, blockbuster IP and fiercely loyal customer base of tens of millions signals VR is here. Experiential brands such as automotive manufacturers, travel destinations and retailers must explore partnerships and branded experiences for PSVR2 that will resonate with consumers to first generate leads and ultimately sell.
Comentários