Summary
The developer of popular sandbox VR gameRec Roomhas revealed that it currently “can’t justify” a port of the game to PlayStation VR2. The virtual reality headset for the PS5 has already featured a wide variety of games for players to choose from, including titles from some of Sony’s biggest franchises.Horizonwould make its debut in VR withHorizon Call of the Mountainlaunching in February of last year, whileGran Turismo 7would also receive VR functionalityin a free update. Now, however, one developer doesn’t appear to be convinced by the VR platform.
First launching in 2016,Rec Roomhas seen modest success as a combination of a sandbox game and a game creation tool. Similar to games likeRobloxandDreams,Rec Roomallows users to both play pre-made games developed by the creators, as well as create their own games with its in-game engine.Rec Roomhas already seen releases on PC, PlayStation, and Xbox consoles, as well as VR versions on both the original PlayStation VR and the Meta Quest. However, a new statement from co-founder Cameron Brown suggests aPlayStation VR2version isn’t coming anytime soon.
As reported by PushSquare, Against Gravity co-founder Cameron Brown recently suggested that the developer is not currently planning a PS VR2 port ofRec Room. During an “AMA” thread on Reddit, Brown called a PS VR2 version a “non-trivial” port and suggested Against Gravity “can’t justify the cost” of bringingRec Roomto VR. Though Brown did not sound thrilled by a PS VR2 port, a spokesperson would later say the studio was not opposed to bringing the game to PS VR2 in the future. PlayStation users can currently only playRec Roomin VR through the original PS VR on PS4 orPS5 backwards compatibility mode.
Rec Room Developer Can’t Justify a PS VR2 Port
The uncertainty of a PS VR2 port forRec Roomcomes as the PS VR2 has reportedly struggled early on in its life for Sony. The VR headset reported less than 300,000 units sold by the end of its launch month, following initial optimism that the PS VR2 could sell 2 million units during that timeframe. Rumors swirled aboutSony cutting back its production plans for the PS VR2following the headset’s rocky launch. Reports also suggested that the competing Meta Quest headsets significantly outsold the PS VR2 during the 2023 holiday season.
WhileRec Roomdoesn’t appear to be coming to PS VR2 in the near future, plenty of other third-party developers have tried their hands at utilizing PS VR2. The highly-anticipatedResident Evil 4 Remakereceived a free VR mode update, with Capcom previously adding avirtual reality mode toResident Evil Village. Fan-favorite horror franchiseFive Nights at Freddy’swould also make the jump to virtual reality withHelp Wanted. The lack of a planned PS VR2 port forRec Roomspeaks volumes of the uncertainty in the platform from some developers.
PlayStation VR2
The successor to the PS VR, the PlayStation VR2 is Sony’s virtual reality headset. Debuting in February 2023, the hardware is designed as a companion piece for the PlayStation 5 and requires the PS VR2 Sense controller.
