PlayStation VR Experience

I received the PS VR today and posted it on my WeChat Moments. Many friends asked about my impressions, and since I happen to have some thoughts on this product, I thought I'd write a brief review.

I've held the view that VR is ultimately an intermediate product, like Google Glass and other similar products, merely a market test. Of course, there are two industries where making money is guaranteed.

1. The gaming industry is very experience-driven. In the past, the focus was on graphics, but now that graphics are already very sophisticated, the focus is on the user experience.
2. The AV industry... I won't say much about it, it's just about having fun.

At this point, some people might think of the film industry. Why do I think it's difficult to have a good career in the film industry?

1. Due to budget constraints in film production,
2. Equipment prices are the driving force behind cinema upgrades.

In summary, VR's advantage lies in its enhanced experience, allowing all experience-related industries to innovate and generate profits. However, costs must be considered; this upgrade must account for its cumbersome usage methods, high price, and significant compatibility disadvantages. Of course, this doesn't apply to companies like Microsoft that embed high-end computers within VR headsets to cater to specific, advanced users.

Enough with the preamble, let's get to the point.

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As a loyal supporter of Sony, I had been following the PS VR since April, but Amazon sold out of pre-orders immediately after its release, so I had to give up for the time being. Fortunately, it was restocked after the official release last week, which is much better than Apple and other companies, at least making those scalpers who hoarded it suffer huge losses.

When I received the VR headset in the package today, my first impression was how big it was. It's just a headset, why is the box so huge? But after opening it, I realized it was a false alarm. Sony has made this VR device very impressive, resulting in the enormous box.

The contents are very simple: a headset, five cables, and a box. The connection method is also straightforward: connect the original HDMI cable from the TV to the PS4 to the box, and then connect the box to the PS4. Actually, the box is a hub that connects the TV, PS4, and VR device. Then, simply connect the box to a power source and the headset. Oh, and there's also a USB cable that needs to be connected from the hub to the front of the PS4; it looks messy. I'm not sure if it's for activation or for continuous data transfer.

Additionally, if you buy the bundle, it will also include a PS webcam and two handheld sticks. I already have a webcam, so I'll ignore that. I've always felt the handheld sticks are useless, and they're not worth the 0, so I won't comment on them.

Many people like me who haven't done their research on PS VR might find the cable system annoying. After all, the PS is a home console, typically placed next to a TV in a spacious living room or large room. Having a cable running from the PS across the living room to the user is really inconvenient, especially if someone walks by and trips over it. This is one of the reasons I mentioned earlier that I think this is a compromise. Here's why: some people have thought about making it wireless, but it's practically impossible to be wireless. Because it transmits the image, the stability and timeliness requirements are extremely high, and the amount of data transmitted is also very large. Even regular HDMI data can't be wirelessly transmitted, let alone for a gaming device like this.

The VR headset is quite nice; there's a control panel near the user's line that can connect headphones (which makes me happy, as I originally thought I'd have to connect headphones from a PS or TV). The control panel has a power switch and volume control buttons, and it also functions as a microphone.

In my actual use, I couldn't connect headphones because I also had a speaker connected to my TV, so there was no sound from the TV's HDMI output. To use headphones, I had to unplug the speaker, but it didn't affect the use of the device, since sound wasn't the main focus.

From a gameplay perspective, this device significantly enhances game replayability. Sony's included six free PlayRoom games demonstrate their strategy, mirroring the Wii's approach with two screens, except one player is blindfolded while watching their own screen. PlayRoom games are perfectly suited for living room gaming, unlike previous racing, shooting, and sports games. With VR, Sony can expand into living room entertainment games, which might be a bit of a challenge for Nintendo. However, given the ban on VR for children under 12, the female market should be promising.

However, there are very few high-quality games available at the moment, so I suggest that those who want to play wait a bit longer. There aren't many great titles, so you'll get tired of them after a few days.

However, the drawbacks of PS VR are also obvious.

1. It's really dizzying. Because it supports wearing glasses, the experience isn't affected by vision, but the focus can't be adjusted, making some low-quality games very shaky. Also, it's recommended to lock the headset after adjusting it; otherwise, the image will become severely blurry if you move.
2. The graphics quality is really nothing to write home about; it feels like the difference between a PS Vita and a 3DS. But for a first-generation product, it's acceptable.

Overall, this setup is worth buying for gamers, but for the average user, I think it's best to just play it at a friend's house. After all, there are still very few VR games, and not many major titles will support VR in the future; they'll likely just release dedicated VR games or add VR modes. However, we can look forward to VR versions of games like VR Kanojo, Summer Lesson (I recommend it, it'll be released in Chinese next January), Beach Volleyball, and Dead or Alive. Personally, I don't think FIFA and Battlefield (Call of Duty) will get VR versions anytime soon, or maybe just a scaled-down VR version. Once there are enough major titles, VR2 will probably be released.

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Replenish:

1. I didn't list the advantages because it was really enjoyable.
2. I got used to the dizziness after one or two times; it's not a big problem.
3. The camera is crucial during gameplay, greatly enhancing the entertainment experience; I highly recommend purchasing it. The camera's motion recognition is excellent; it feels like a core component of VR equipment.
4. Regarding the gaming experience, let me briefly summarize. The headgear recognition is virtually seamless; once you enter the game, it's a 360-degree surround sound experience, which is quite impressive and truly immersive. However, the resolution is a significant issue, considerably impacting the overall experience. Nevertheless, it's very enjoyable for casual games.
5. Here's a brief overview of the free PlayRoom games. I think three are pretty good: 1. Haunted House: The VR player is responsible for catching ghosts but can't see them; other players describe them to the VR player (because the VR screen doesn't display ghosts). 2. Catching Thieves in the Tavern: The VR player interacts with nearby friends; the friend describes the ghosts, and the VR player catches them. 3. Rescue the Robots: Primarily a solo game, similar to Super Mario, with a partner who can assist. There are also other interactive games like Cat and Mouse or Monster Escape, which offer excellent interactivity.