In a concerning development for Sony’s virtual reality ambitions, the company has temporarily halted manufacturing of its recently launched PlayStation VR2 (PSVR2) headset. The production stoppage comes as sluggish sales have resulted in a massive surplus of unsold PSVR2 units piling up in warehouses.
According to a report from Bloomberg, Sony has produced around 2 million PSVR2 headsets since the device’s launch in February 2023. However, sales figures from market research firm IDC show demand has consistently declined each quarter, leading to an overabundance of inventory.
The PSVR2’s struggles can likely be attributed to a combination of factors. At $549.99, the headset carries a premium price tag higher than even the PlayStation 5 console itself. This elevated cost, coupled with VR’s niche status and lack of must-have software titles, appears to have hampered consumer adoption out of the gate.
While Sony positioned the PSVR2 as a potential system seller by launching it alongside the Horizon Call of the Mountain VR spinoff, much of the headset’s library relies on smaller novelty games that fail to provide compelling enough reasons for the average consumer to invest in the expensive hardware.
The original PSVR sold an estimated 5 million units through 2020, accounting for just a small fraction of the 106 million PS4 owners at the time. Sony had higher hopes for PSVR2 adoption alongside the PS5’s install base, but those ambitions have been quashed by reality for the time being.
With PSVR2 sales floundering and warehouses overflowing with unsold units, Sony’s hand was forced to cut off production until the existing stockpile can be cleared out. The company has not confirmed how long this manufacturing pause might last.
In a potential effort to boost PSVR2 prospects, Sony recently announced plans to test PC support for the headset, opening it up to a wider software ecosystem beyond just PlayStation games and experiences. However, this cross-platform functionality remains in early development with no firm timeline.
Sony faces an uphill battle in reigniting interest in its premium VR offering. Strategic pricing adjustments, major software support, and finding ways to market the technology’s benefits to a mainstream audience will all likely be key to reviving PSVR2’s fortunes. For now, the future of Sony’s virtual reality gaming ambitions hangs in the balance.
