PlayStation VR facts for kids
 |
|
A first-generation PlayStation VR
|
|
| Also known as |
|
|---|---|
| Developer | Sony Interactive Entertainment |
| Manufacturer | Sony |
| Product family | PlayStation |
| Type | Virtual reality headset |
| Generation | Eighth |
| Release date | October 13, 2016 |
| Retail availability | 2016–2024 |
| Introductory price | |
| Units sold | 5 million (as of December 31, 2019[update]) |
| Display | 5.7" OLED, 100° field of view |
| Graphics | 1080p RGB (960 × 1080 per eye; 90–120 Hz refresh rate) |
| Sound | 3D audio through headphone jack, and available microphone input |
| Input | Positional tracking with 9 LEDs via PlayStation Camera |
| Controller input |
|
| Camera | PlayStation Camera |
| Platform | |
| Dimensions | 187×185×277 mm (w × h × l) |
| Weight | Approx. 600 grams (1st generation) |
| Successor | PlayStation VR2 |
The PlayStation VR (also known as PS VR) is a special headset that lets players experience virtual reality (VR). Developed by Sony Interactive Entertainment, it was first released in October 2016. This device allows you to feel like you are actually inside a video game world. It was designed to work with the PlayStation 4 console, but it also works with the PlayStation 5. By the time its successor, the PlayStation VR2, arrived in 2023, Sony had sold over 5 million units of the original headset.
Contents
How the PlayStation VR Works
The headset uses a 5.7-inch OLED screen to show games. OLED is a type of display technology that makes colors look very bright and blacks look very dark. The screen has a resolution of 1080p, which is split between both eyes. To make the experience feel real, the headset uses nine lights (called LEDs) on its surface. A PlayStation Camera watches these lights to track exactly where your head is moving in 360 degrees.
Audio and Processing
The PS VR comes with a separate processor box. This box helps the console handle the VR graphics and creates 3D audio. This special sound makes it seem like noises are coming from specific directions, such as behind you or above you. You can plug your own headphones into the headset using a standard 3.5mm jack to hear these effects.
Social Screen Experience
One cool feature of the PS VR is the "Social Screen." This allows the person wearing the headset to see one thing while other people watching the TV see something else. In some games, friends can play together or even compete against the person in VR. This makes VR a fun activity for a group rather than just a solo experience.
History and Development
Sony began experimenting with headsets long ago. In 1997, they released a device called the Glasstron. Many years later, they started a secret project called Project Morpheus. Engineers worked on this for over three years before showing it to the public. They even designed the PlayStation Move controllers back in 2009 with future VR technology in mind.
From Project Morpheus to Release
The device was first shown to the world in 2014 at a big event for game developers. In 2015, Sony officially named it "PlayStation VR." It finally went on sale on October 13, 2016. Sony made sure that all VR games ran smoothly at a high "frame rate" (at least 60 frames per second) so that players would not feel dizzy while playing.
Controllers and Accessories
There are several ways to control games in PlayStation VR:
- DualShock 4: The standard controller that comes with the PlayStation 4.
- PlayStation Move: Motion controllers that look like wands with glowing balls on top.
- PlayStation VR Aim Controller: A special controller shaped like a futuristic blaster, used for shooting games to make them feel more realistic.
Playing Games and Media
There are hundreds of games available for the PS VR. If a game does not support VR, you can still play it using Cinematic Mode. This makes it look like you are sitting in a dark movie theater looking at a giant screen. You can also use the headset to watch 3D movies or look at 360-degree photos and videos.
Using PS VR with PlayStation 5
The PlayStation VR is compatible with the PlayStation 5 through a feature called backward compatibility. However, because the PS5 uses different ports, you need a special USB adapter for the PlayStation Camera. Sony provided these adapters for free to owners for several years. If you want to play a VR game on the PS5, you must use the PlayStation 4 version of that game to make the headset work.
See also
In Spanish: PlayStation VR para niños
