Weeks after Sony announced that it would be releasing all-new virtual reality hardware for the PlayStation 5it unveiled the upgraded PlayStation VR controllers. Sony's Senior VP of Platform Planning & Management, Hideaki Nishino, gave gamers a glimpse at how the company has incorporated the PS5's DualSense controller features to hopefully usher in a new era of console-enabled VR experiences.

Like the PS5's form factor compared to the PS4, Sony has completely reimagined its VR controllers. It ditched the original PSVR controller's wand shape for a more ergonomic, "orb" design that appears to mold better to users' hands. This is a fresh start for Sony's VR strategy, but there's still a lot to be revealed.

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Sony has yet to show off the design or specs for its new VR headset, which will be a major deciding factor for gamers. The company previously stated that it would connect to the PS5 using a single wire, which will be far less cumbersome than the original's multiwire arrangement. This key element of the PSVR 2 remains a mystery, but the controllers' changes seem like a step in the right direction to competing with premium VR hardware like the Oculus Rift and HTC Vive. Here's everything that gamers need to know about the new VR grips and PSVR 2 as a whole.

When Will PSVR 2 Be Released?

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Sony has only revealed that its new VR hardware wouldn't launch in 2021, so the earliest gamers should expect it to hit shelves is 2022. Nishino stated that the new controllers will be released to the developer community "soon," which suggests there still might be some minor changes made to their design and that they could be compatible with Sony's previous headset. The company has yet to announce if the controllers will work with any other headset other than the upcoming PSVR 2 goggles. That will likely be revealed once the company is ready to debut the new headset.

How Much Will PSVR 2 Cost?

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Sony hasn't discussed how much the upgraded PSVR 2 hardware will cost either. Its price tag will hinge on the kind of displays it uses in the goggles and their resolution, so there's no way to be certain at the moment. Still, the company released its first PSVR iteration for $399 in 2016, so expect its latest hardware to be equally price or $100 to $200 more expensive depending on how enhanced its headset is.

How The PSVR 2 Controllers Are Designed

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Aside from doing away with the original PSVR controller's wand design, Sony vastly changed where its controllers' buttons are located. Each controller has its own analog stick, a "grip" button (R1 & L1) used to pick up and interact with in-game objects, and a trigger (R2 & L2) presumably used for actions like shooting weapons.

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Instead of packing all of the DualSense's buttons on each PSVR 2 controller, Sony split its buttons. The right grip houses the cross and circle buttons, while the left has the triangle and square buttons. This reduces the total amount of buttons on each controller, making remembering what each one does while gamers are wearing a headset much easier.

What Features Will PSVR 2 Controllers Come With

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Nishino highlighted that many of the PSVR 2's new features are reminiscent of the upgrades that came with the PS5's DualSense controller. That should make playing immersive VR games all the more enveloping.

Adaptive Triggers: The R2 and L2 triggers will be capable of palpable tension when pressed based on the weapon or item players are using in-game. So pulling the trigger of a pistol will give way easier than, say, pulling a bowstring to let loose an arrow.

Enhanced Haptic Feedback: The controllers' varying triggers will be complemented by dynamic vibrations that changed based on what gamers interact with or what's playing out during a cut scene. That means driving a truck off-road will result in aggressive shaking while touching running water will give off gentle quivers.

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Improved Finger Detection: Both PSVR 2 controllers will now accurately map users' hands allowing players to make detailed hand gestures. That means gamers can press a button using only their index, and game developers can create unique puzzles that require objects to be manipulated with users' fingers. This might seem like a small change, but it opens the door to a world of captivating VR experiences.

Boosted Tracking: Finally, the controllers both have built-in tracking rings at their base, which will relay users' hand position to the PSVR 2 headset. The original PSVR kit used the PlayStation camera to track spatial data, which isn't as accurate as Sony's new solution. This will hopefully result in less glitchy movements in-game to provide seamless gameplay.

The new PlayStation VR controllers appear to be a vast improvement to Sony's VR wands in 2016, but they're only half of the puzzle. Delivering a next-generation VR experience on the PlayStation 5 will also require some major spec updates to Sony's headset. The company has taken steps in the right direction, but only time will tell if it sticks the landing.

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Source: PlayStation