It appears Sony’s “Project Morpheus,” a name given to its PlayStation VR (PSVR) headset, has failed to meet pre-order expectations. While the amount of pre-orders is unknown, the fact that these pre-order numbers are “low” indicates that Sony may be starting to slip out of touch with the market when it comes to VR.
The lack of enthusiasm for the headset is especially apparent when you compare it to competitors such as the Oculus Rift and HTC Vive. Both of these headsets have seen large pre-order numbers, and it’s clear that these two devices have had much more success when it comes to capturing consumer attention.
So what went wrong with Sony’s PSVR? The biggest problem seems to be the fact that Sony has failed to create an experience that feels truly immersive and next-gen. While the headset offers great hardware and specs, it still feels a generation behind its competitors in terms of game and app offerings.
Additionally, Sony did very little to promote the device. When compared to the heavy marketing campaigns that Oculus and HTC did to get the message out about their products, it’s evident that Sony just didn’t put as much effort into marketing their own headset.
As a result of this misstep, many gamers have decided to go with another headset for their VR experience. This is understandable, as after all, the main appeal of a VR headset is the games and applications available.
The future of Sony’s PSVR is uncertain at this point. The device does have some definite advantages over its rivals, such as comfort, quality, and price. But if Sony can’t find a way to deliver an experience that is on par with its competitors, the PSVR may end up being the laughing stock of the VR world. If Sony wants to make the headset a success, they need to start investing more in game and app development, and marketing their product to convince consumers to buy it. Until then, the fate of Project Morpheus remains uncertain.
