[Update: Sony unveils PS VR launch bundle]

It felt for a long time as though virtual reality headsets were only for science fiction movies. Nevertheless, HTC Vive and Oculus Rift have led the way in terms of virtual reality becoming a reality, announcing consumer editions of their VR headsets. And while anticipation for both is high, each unit has its own drawbacks, as the Vive requires a high-powered PC in order to work and the Oculus, while compatible with the Xbox One, comes with a high price tag that may put it out of reach for some consumers.

As such, gamers have awaited an official announcement from Sony with regard to its PlayStation VR.  That wait is now over as Sony, during a special event at the 2016 Game Developers Conference, confirmed the PlayStation VR will be made available to consumers on October 2016, with a price tag of $399.

Originally dubbed Project Morpheus, Sony's VR has garnered an extraordinary amount of speculation and anticipation since it was announced in 2014. The company claims that more than 50 PS VR titles will be available before the end of the year. These include: Driveclub, Harmonix Music VR, Job Simulator, Playroom VR, SuperHyperCube, Tumble VR, Valkrie, Waltz of the Wizard and Wayward Sky to name just a few. It was also stated in the address that several big-name publishers like Ubisoft and 2K games have titles in development. The amount of games supposedly being released in 2016 is staggering, considering it will only be a two-month window from the scheduled PS VR launch date and the end of the calendar year.

Sony PlayStation VR on a human man

Sony was also quick to point out that EA, DICE, and Lucasfilm were working on creating a Star Wars Battlefront experience exclusively for the PlayStation VR. While this will be different to the Trials on Tatooine project that was recently revealed, it could prove to be more exciting. Since Battlefront is either a first or third-person shooter, the VR game could potentially mark a huge shift in the game’s perspective, as it would likely allow for a far more immersive and realistic first-person experience. If it allows online VR lightsaber battles, though, it might not be too outlandish to consider it one of the games of the year.

There are criticisms about the PlayStation VR already emerging, which have to do with the unit's true price. While it has an initial tag of $399 US, that only factors in the price of the headset. In order for the system to work, it will require the purchase of the PlayStation Camera (for those who don't already have one), as well as PlayStation Move Motion Controllers. Both have been available since the PS4 launch, but they are not included in the price of PS VR system. Taking it all into consideration, a PlayStation VR setup could actually set the average consumer back far more than just $399. With any luck, Sony will be making a complete bundle available before the holidays.

Hopes, ambitions and even promises remain high for PlayStation VR. No doubt there will be several more announcements and more details revealed in the coming months about actual PS VR games and their projected release dates (and perhaps a No Man’s Sky VR compatibility confirmation). Time will tell, however, if VR is more than just a gimmick and whether or not it can become a substantial gaming platform in its own right.

[Update: Sony unveils PS VR launch bundle]

Source: Sony