The PS VR2 headset can be used on PC, but it will require additional hardware to work, hardware that has yet to be designed and produced, according to a new report.
Speaking on Twitter, iVRy, the developer behind the driver by the same name that makes it possible to use the original PS VR headset on PC, reported that the latest headset developed by Sony for its PlayStation 5 console wasn’t working on PC due to the headset blocking DSC, which was forced using an AMD Open Source Linux GPU driver. As such, now the developer knows how to put the headset into VR mode, which is going to allow designing additional hardware that will let the headset work on PC. Outside of some AMD users on Linux, everyone else will need this additional piece of hardware, which has yet to be designed and built to hopefully get mass-produced.
Day #121: And we’re in!
– PSVR2 was blocking VR modes by saying it couldn’t do DSC
– We modified an AMD Open Source Linux GPU driver to force DSC
– Now we know how to put the PSVR2 into VR mode, so we can design some hardware to do it on Windows
– “Can PSVR2 be used on PC?” – Yes pic.twitter.com/fNnLaNYEV1— iVRy (@iVRy_VR) June 28, 2023
We now have answers to both of these questions:
– Yes, PSVR2 can be used for VR on PC
– No, Sony is not actively trying to block it (or at least, they’re not trying very hard)It will need additional hardware though, due to Sony’s design choiceshttps://t.co/Faujw5BRFX
— iVRy (@iVRy_VR) June 28, 2023
Everyone will need an adapter (apart from some AMD users on Linux). That adapter doesn’t exist yet. We have to design and build one. Then hopefully some hardware company will pick it up and mass-produce it.
— iVRy (@iVRy_VR) June 28, 2023
DISCLAIMER: This is Windows SteamVR, running on nVidia, sending output via HDMI to a Linux box that has the PSVR2 connected to a AMD GPU. We didn’t magically solve complex hardware issues that require us to design and build custom circuitry since yesterday.
— iVRy (@iVRy_VR) June 29, 2023
While there’s no shortage of VR headsets on PC, being able to use the PS VR2 would definitely be welcome, thanks to some of its unique features. Its price tag is a little steep, as highlighted by Kai in his review, but it’s partially justified by the type of experience it can provide.
With a price tag befitting of next-generation hardware, the PlayStation VR2 headset offers a virtual reality experience that’s unique to the PlayStation 5 ecosystem. Only time will tell if the new technology is worth the investment but all of the design changes and new features make me excited for what’s to come in the future for PlayStation VR2.
