Project Morpheus: PS4 VR Upgraded, Coming in 2016

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Project Morpheus: PS4 VR Upgraded, Coming in 2016

Hello from GDC 2015! About a year ago, we unveiled a prototype for Project Morpheus, the virtual reality system for PS4. Since then, we’ve been hard at work making the system even better. I’m pleased to return to GDC with an update on our progress, bringing us one step closer to its consumer release. We believe VR will shape the future of games, and I can’t wait for you to try Project Morpheus when it launches in the first half of 2016.

Project Morpheus

Our goal with VR is to deliver a sense of presence, making the player feel as though they’ve stepped inside the world of a game. The new Project Morpheus prototype brings us closer to that goal, as it improves the visual experience and tracking accuracy, both of which are critical to achieving sense of presence.

Key changes:

  • OLED display: In exchange for the 5 inch LCD, the new Morpheus VR headset is equipped with a 5.7 inch 1920 X RGB X 1080 resolution OLED display. This new screen expands the field of view and enables low persistence, removing motion blur.
  • 120hz refresh rate: The previous refresh rate spec has been doubled for this new prototype, which means games for Morpheus can be rendered at 120fps. When combined with the OLED display’s high refresh rate and the power of PS4, Morpheus is able to output amazingly smooth visuals.
  • Super low latency: We know how critical low latency is to delivering a great VR experience, and we’ve reduced latency to less than 18ms, about half of what the first Morpheus prototype had. Low latency is critical to deliver a sense of presence, at the same time making the VR experience comfortable to players.
  • More accurate tracking: To make positional tracking more precise, we’ve added three LEDs to the headset – one on the front and two on the side – for a total of nine LEDs to support robust 360 degree tracking.
  • User-friendly design: We’ve made the Morpheus VR headset easier to put on and take off, with a single band design and quick release button. The headband supports the weight of the unit on the top of your head, so there is no pressure on your face. Other components have also been adjusted and configured to make the headset lighter, so that players do not find the headset cumbersome or uncomfortable to use.

Project Morpheus

Revealing this new prototype is an important step in our journey to release Project Morpheus, but there is more to come. We’ll share additional details at E3 and beyond. In particular, we’ll show more VR games at E3 and later events as we get closer to launch.

A new dimension of gaming is almost here, and PlayStation again is at the forefront with Project Morpheus.

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153 Comments

  • hmm…
    VR with no price listed but a release date of 2016.

    A quote from Sony was it will not be $1,000.
    Reassuring?

    Also there is said to be more to be announced at E3(in June).

    I am a bit inquisitive as to how 100 degrees of view equates to a true immersive experience as most people have 180 – 120 degrees of sight. That would be like horse blinders making obvious blind spots to incoming from the sides.

    Now if Sony is going to focus on the Morpheus being equivalent to say a 120″ 4k television and we can still wear our Sony Gold and Platinum headphones with the glorious 7.1 surround sound, I am excited.

  • This is an incredible time to be alive! This prototype keeps getting better and better, constantly adding components to push the industry forward. All the pieces are coming together, it just hurts so bad to wait! I expected a 2015 release, but knew that was pushing it. 2016 seems to be prime time. I have very little doubt Sony isn’t going to deliver on this hardware, the real question is what and how developers will implement it into their games. Most of these guys aren’t looking forward to building new games on a new medium, but it is here to stay. All I can do is imagine something like Fallout 4 or No Man’s Sky on this type of tech. UNREAL.

  • The tech sounds excellent. Now show me the software to support it, and consider it purchased.

  • Sounds and looks great, but will the game developers actually use the technology. Not worth the R & D if only 3 game developer s use it.

  • $250 for mass adoption and you have a deal!

  • Dead sony, stop coping others idea and build something of your own.

  • Day one purchase!

  • Step 1 . Make compelling launch software lineup.

    Step 2. Make it AFFORDABLE. I’m talking about $199 stand-alone.

    Step 3. Bundle with PS4 for a discounted price (Say PS4 standalone is $350 by first half of 2016, price the bundle no higher than $499)

    Step 4. Make all your major franchises (that make sense using VR) compatible. DO NOT RELY ON THIRD PARTIES FOR SUPPORT, MAKE YOUR OWN GAMES THAT JUSTIFY THE PURCHASE.

    Step 5. Profit.

  • I’m very glad to hear about these necessary updates because this means that the headset will also be up to spec for PS5. Definitely not something I want to have to buy eact time I drop $400-$500 on a new console.

  • I’ll buy at $500 a most.

  • Day one buy!!! This is for the cool kids and we will be the ones in the future

  • Am I the only one that wants a Sword Art Online game for this?

  • 1080p, up to 120 frames per second, OLED display, comfortable to wear. Sounds good so far! Now, we just need games! With these specs and Sony’s renewed push for its PlayStation brand I’m guessing that they have some great stuff in the works! I’ll for sure be picking this up!

  • Soooo……you want to just strap a Vita to our heads……

    Where’s the software? Lack of software support is what killed the Vita and killed every other gadget you guys have done. Indie-only support is not support. We need first party software. Software will make or break this and there hasn’t even been a hint of the games/software……NOT a good sign

  • Good luck. I do not want, but hopefully it find a market.

  • I can’t wait for Project Morpheus.

  • Lol n the upgrades only added a few hundred to the total price which will probably be so high I could buy 3 or 4 dozen games instead

  • Ohmy Now starts the countdown !_!

  • Sony VR Gear Set released date is already behind the other , Samsung ,Valve VR, and Oculus Rift etc. < that is all I can name …
    But Sony VR Morpheus seem to be the most powerful VR ever yet and there will be more improvement on the date release.
    Imagine using the Morpheus playing GTA V in first person view.
    Can't wait to get one and test it myself.

  • No Man’s Sky in VR, would be awesome…

    Also, what’s the price range? I’m not too sure about paying more than 200$ if the list of games is thin. Still, 200$ is nothing to get this if the games are nice. I’d go up to 250$. 300$ is a bit too much, I would need very good games to play with to pay that price. Still, if tons of games include a “VR mode” in the same release, than I’ll buy for sure, lol.

    Could be nice also for watching movies with a super high level of immersion (like cinema, but in your bed haha).

    I wonder if they’ll have event streamed on Morpheus. I mean, they put a couple of cameras in a globe, and film in 360 degrees around, then instead of streaming a rectangle, we stream everywhere!!!

  • Ok, now we just need Sword Art Online…

  • SUPPORT YOUR VITA FIRST!!! BEFORE YOU LAUNCH ANOTHER PRODUCT!! There are many non japanese vita owners yet only indies are in english! Tons of actual AAA vita games are still only in JAPANESE language. SCEAmerica/Europe get your ass up and keep up with Japenese devs or at least make english translation at least half of japanese relase games.

  • Day 1 purchase for me.

  • This is one project that makes me want to play Alien Isolation again. I’m feeling that this will make survival horror perfect.

    I’m Also hoping it will be compatible with any PS4 game, even games that really don’t work right with it, so as a consumer i can make the choice of what i want to be immersed in. That’s my biggest problem with the vita TV. a ton of games that should work don’t simply cause they haven’t been patched, but we as consumers should make that choice not sony.

    all said and done, looks exciting, and can’t wait till it get released.

  • I’m willing to bet the price lands around $499. No way this is $199. It also can’t be crazy expensive like Sony’s last commercial attempt at a heads up display (the good old HMZ-T2) $1000 or up. Listen guys and gals, this isn’t a standard peripheral. This isn’t like the Move, or the eye-toy, or 3D displays, or surround-sound headphones. It’s more like a console in itself. And yet it’s not comparable to anything that has ever been released before. Yes, the specs are pretty rad…they need to be (otherwise you’re going to get sick), but it also needs to deliver the “wow!” factor that Sony is always talking about at their press conferences, and I expect Playstation to deliver on that front.

  • As far as the software, I’m willing to bet Japan Studio, Media Molecule, London Studio, Santa Monica, Sony Bend, etc. have all been busy working on dedicated Morpheus projects for some time (poor Vita). They aren’t going to release this thing without some curated content. Not to mention 3rd party or cross-platform stuff. Can you imagine cruising through the worlds of No Man’s Sky through VR? I might never take the headset off…

    It could be a great way to watch movies, like you’re own personal IMAX theatre. It could be a way to enter into a comic book. It could also do more mundane applications, like finding a hotel room in Chicago, or learning how to bake a lasagna through an interactive cooking show. There are so many possibilities. It’s damn exciting. Go Sony!

  • seems whack

  • + bbswarrior_11 on March 3rd, 2015 at 3:43 pm said:
    Depending on the price, which will be crazy for sure in my country… what am I saying, I´m getting this at any cost.

    you sir and the reason why prices are so crazy, while you are prepared to pay any cost they are prepared to charge extortionist prices!

  • Oh sweet baby Jesus… Please say that someone is working on a SAO game for the release of this! :3

  • Brilliant. I have £300 saved for this already.

    *Just a side note on the whole vr porn thing…Do you really want to be using this for porn? You want to be standing there, trousers round your ankles, beating off while, unknown to you, friends or family have entered, video-ed or photo-ed you and left the room without you even being remotely aware.

    It’s a terrible idea to watch porn on it. Stick to games guys and girls. :-)

  • OLED screens are expensive as hell. That’s why although it’s possible, no TVs brand company makes TVs with them, witch would be HUGE instead of 3d screens or the fail that is overpriced 4K screens.

    OLED screen is amazing and we can see that on the first model of the Vita, that was expensive and they redesigned to a cheaper model with LED.

    So, Morpheus having two OLED screens, and being a new technology, with years of researching, starting with the Eye Toy camera and then the Move sensors, ……. It’s going to be forbidden for any wallet!

    And peeps, I read somewhere that the launching game of Morpheus will be Silent Hills… After that amazing demo in first person… I can imagine that happening! :D

  • I would buy this but i think it wont be released in europe at the same time. I would consider this if its less than $500 but if its less than 350 I would buy it for sure.

    I dont have a problem with Sony ignoring it if it doesnt do well aslong as they “unlock ” it before they abandon it.

  • @opikal The Oculus only costs 350$

  • Yoshida drops the ball on multiple first party projects, comes back with a Morpheus sizzle trailer!!!

  • I bet all the money in my bank account they are gonna bundle this with the new Silent Hill game.

  • Please, please, please, GTA V Morpheus patch, please! The new FPS mode was made for this! Driving would be so much fun!

  • Ahh! Awesome! Say, I use glasses. My left eye is fine but I am nearsighted on my right. Oh, and have the lazy eye thing. Would this thing be something that even I could use?

  • What about a SOUND SPEAKERS in Morpheus – before were announced a several sound speakers to make a surround sound?

  • I’m very excited to see what can be done with this and the PS4. I love the design aesthetic and how it seems to takes the majority of the weight of the unit and transfers it to the top/front of your head. I’m hoping this makes it comfortable for longer play sessions.

    Obviously price point is a massive deal with peripheries such as this. With a HD full OLED display I’m guessing it wont be coming cheap. The trick is to make sure it launches with some killer apps. If it does then that’ll cushion the financial blow a bit.

    My only concern is that if it doesn’t sell well at launch will it receive the support from first party and AAA studios? WE all saw how the Move controller was pretty much ignored/abandoned after launch. Let’s hope the Morpheus doesn’t join the illustrious list of failed video game gimmicks, alongside the now almost defunct Kinect, the Power Glove, Sega Activator and Virtual Boy.

    I dunno about anyone else but I’m saving my pennies up now.

  • I LOVE the idea of this. VR would be amazing for gaming and entertainment based experiences. However, the thing that scares me about this, is that I have seen zero push for developers or any announcements about publishers taking up this tech to build software. Without games or anything for it, it will just be a nice “what could have been” sitting on my shelf. So, I am hoping and have my fingers cross they have a strong following from some top studios and have things in the pipeline.

  • I want one

  • As long as this is within the $500 price range; I’ll be picking it up. I have two young children. Gaming time has become less and less. Gaming becoming less of a hobby and more of a past time I indulge in sparingly. So anything new and exciting that can really wow me for the short time gaming that I do have; is worth it.

  • I really wanted to try this at PSX but the lines were so long. I’m talking longer than the order 1886 line and those who were there know what i’m talking about that itself was a 2hour long line. Anyway I’m actually interested due to the improvements i’ve read just now. I actually may buy this now.

  • Does it work for people with glasses??????

  • Awesome! Then next evolution of video gaming. Looking forward to it! Very cool! Can’t wait for the PS Holodeck! :)

  • I have been using the 3D personnal viewer HMZ-T2P with dual OLED displays. It offers the best quality display for any movie or game source. In games, I play mostly hockey and soccer and it is the best display to be ”close to the action”. The oled screen for each eye makes the screen crisp and clear. The design of this new headset looks better, my plasctic band on mine ended up breaking. I have doubts about a single screen. Looks almost like holding a smathphone up your face. I have enjoyed my viewer for almost 2 years but would wait to try this new one even if mine is 720p resolution which is maybe better for being so close to the screen

    http://store.sony.ca/wearable-hdtv-2d-3d-virtual-7.1-surround-sound-zid31-HMZT3W/cat-31-catid-3D-Personal-Viewer?_t=pfm%3Dcategory

  • I’m already sold, Day1!
    I want it now!

  • A lot of people seem to forget this is sony, the price will not be cheap. Their TV headset is $999.

  • jah_92_rastafari

    God you vita/move guys are really butt hurt, sony believes in all thier products otherwise they wouldn’t make them, if hardly anyone buys a move or vita there not gonna sink millions more into it.
    I just hope there is enough support from consumers for the morpheus and it doesn’t fail because fools spread negativity and extreme cynicism about it without even trying it.

    Also 120 fps?! Shue also said the ps4 was designed for 120fps?! Why do developers struggle to get any game not just big ones to 60fps?
    The future is coming!

  • jah_92_rastafari

    And also shue has said in the past that morpheus will NOT cost as much as a launch console, so stop your wild assumptions until we get an official price, I think it will be around £200-£300 ($300-$450).

    That being said I’d happily pay more I just hope enough people will, if they put a tester unit in major retailers peoples eyes will open and it will sell no doubt and hopefully these butt hurt anti sony anti hope fools can ACTUALLY TRY IT, and then maybe they won’t travel the Internet spreading thier toxicity about a product they know literally nothing about, have you tried the new morpheus? No? Do you know what low latency and 120hz means and how hard it is to achieve? No? Have you got a secret friendship with shue and he tells you its **** and it’s gonna fail? No? Well then wait till you’ve personally tried it

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