Sony expects strong demand for Playstation VR 2
The Playstation VR 2 will go on sale in early 2023, and according to a report, Sony is betting big.
Bloomberg writes that Sony wants to produce two million devices by March 2023. The newspaper refers to sources close to the company.
Mass production began in September and has not encountered any supply chain problems so far, it adds. Production could be ramped up or down after the market launch, depending on demand.
The launch of Playstation VR 2 is expected to coincide with the resolution of supply chain bottlenecks that have inhibited PlayStation 5 availability since its launch in late 2020. That would give Sony enough inventory of headsets and consoles for a big marketing push, the report said.
Two million PSVR 2 - a lot or a little?
Bloomberg interprets Sony's goals as a "big bet" and "ambitious," citing the economic crisis and the fact that Playstation VR 2 is an (expensive) accessory.
Sony's first VR headset took eight months to reach one million sales, although the economic outlook was better in 2016 and more than 50 million PS4 consoles were in circulation at the end of 2016. The Playstation 5 has sold 20 million units so far (as of May 2022). Accordingly, the install base will be much smaller than that of the first Playstation VR.
According to Bloomberg, Sony's suppliers and partners are said to be unsure how long Sony will maintain "strong production" after the launch.
Playstation VR 2: Price unknown
According to the market research institute IDC, Meta Quest 2 sold just under 3 million units in the first quarter after launch. However, the VR headset does not require a console and went on sale for just $299.
Sony has yet to name a price for Playstation VR 2. However, it is unlikely that the VR headset will be as cheap as Meta Quest 2 at the launch in late 2020: Even the first Playstation VR cost $399 in a package with VR controllers.
Meta raised the price of Meta Quest 2 from $299 to $399 in August, citing increased prices in manufacturing and shipping as the reason. PS5 prices also recently increased in certain regions, making the overall console and headset package more expensive.
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