Does PlayStation VR Need a Killer App?

IGN - Does every PlayStation VR game we've seen feel like a demo or are we close to seeing a complete experience? Is there a killer app out there?

[BlackPanther]

I think it needs a Wii Sports. A game bundled in that is super fun and shows what it can do. It is a new platform and likely to be expensive so this also doubles as a way for gamers to buy PS VR and be guaranteed a game with it as well.

My two cents at least.

[uth11]

100ft Robot Golf? :)

[Rookie_Monster]

The differences is Wii sports came with the Wii system itself. Even if there is an equivalent Wii Sports game on PSVR, you also need to buy a PS4 in addition to the VR Headset that cost the same as the console itself. That is a big hurdle and maybe too costly for many gamers.

[uth11]

It's probably better to compare to the start of home consoles. These days not many people would spend $700 on a console because they have better choices. However in the early days, in 1980, the Atari 2600 was (adjusted for inflation) $575 in today's money, and the Intellivision was $860! Both sold, because it was a hot, new thing.

If VR takes off, I think people would similarly pay $700 (guessing) for a PS VR/PS4 bundle. It's the best deal right now, It's still much cheaper than the hardware needed for Oculus.

[OB1Biker]

There already more and more AAA games supporting PSVR like recently announced GT sports, DriveClub or Ace Combat 7 but the truth IMHO is it needs COD or Batlefield type of games. Apparently it looks like Dice is working on it I read elsewhere.

[jb227]

I'm thinking it needs what it seems to be potentially receiving: a wide variety of games. I don't think VR has a sole "killer app" in the traditional sense, because indies & small experiences like The Kitchen will sit right alongside things like Crytek's Journey as amazing experiences.

VR is more than a gaming peripheral it seems, its an altogether new platform. I'd like to see things like virtual skydiving & short films in VR right alongside huge AAA console type experiences & games like Insomniac's 3rd person thing they are developing for Oculus. Really more than anything Sony needs to get these headsets into every gaming store & big box outlet in every major city to let people experience it before they take the plunge.

[sammarshall102]

PSVR needs more than a few Killer apps if Sony wants to sell this thing

The games they showed look to be lacking depth but it's probably due to the tech not being good enough yet and not the developers

[equal_youth]

Could also be the fact that VR has to prove itself. Which developer or publisher would like to spend 30-100 Million bucks on a game with no audience. Also small indie games and concept games will scout the ground for what gameplay works and what not. So we should not doom anything that we have to build ourselves as the gaming community. Look how long games as a general took to catch up with the mainstream audience.

[OpieWinston]

VR is extremely demanding so there won't be AAA budget games utilizing it. The trick will be getting some addictive games with high replay value for people to play.

[_-EDMIX-_]

Nope. I feel they just need lots of games from many different genres. I've found that many systems don't just live off of 1 title like they might have at the dawn of gaming, ie super mario bros doing 40 million or something.

Gaming as matured to where gamers know what they want and have all sorts of taste, that diversity is going to be what gets the device in the hands of gamers.

Do we all buy a platform for 1 game? Consider...what game on PS4 or XONE is at 30 million or 14 million etc? No one really buys 1 platform all 100% for 1 type of game.

So no, it doesn't need a killer app and that type of thinking is so dated its not even funny.

What "killer app" sold the PS2? How about the PS3? How about the PS4? Consider neither platform has 1 game that just did 60 or 70 million thus selling the platform by itself.

It will be fine.

[detroitmademe]

Imo the games will be the deciding factor as to whether psvr is good or not. That being said I'm leaning towards picking one up if not day one, soon after launch. But personally I'd really like to see some good quality games on it and it would speed up the purchase process for me.

[AudioEppa]

It will need a killer price at lunch, if not, it's DOA.

The Sony name and all the love it gets on message boards/comment sections isn't going to mean shit once you drop it in the real world reality.

No parent is going to buy this for their kid under 13 and I highly doubt enough teens care about it.

Gaming platforms with a controller that you hook up to a nice tv or gaming monitor is what sells, next to any of the other modern technology like really good laptops, expensive smart phones and tablets. VR has to fit into being a product that is cheap, so if you regret buying it you don't feel like you wasted too much money, but if it's popular with getting praised for having a great price along with word of mouth/big media talk it will have a chance of not ending up like some other previous hyped technology...

[MCTJim]

Your first sentence says it all. I agree. If its 400 or more which is about what it seems its going to be..only the must haves will buy it.

Its going to need a killer, eye candy must have game included at launch. Judging by the PS experience demo, they damaged themselves quite a bit.

[RealTrueGamer]

Yes, of course. No killer app means no reason to buy the hardware. What kind of a question is that?

[343_Guilty_Spark]

If you have to ask it than it doesn't have any. I think the PSVR is a nice distraction but show us an Uncharted like game that uses the device to its full potential.

[Meishpizza]

Have you ever tried modern VR!? I have, Eve Valkyrie is reason enough to get it, there maybe more launch titles that support it like No Mans Sky VR still unconfirmed not denied by devs and Sony. Check this out!

http://youtu.be/wR2jF7i7Au8

[WeAreLegion]

RIGS got tons of positive responses this weekend.

[equal_youth]

I think Ace Combat will also make great use of VR. All in all Mech and Flight simulators will be a sure shot in VR.

Remember that Mech game they released in PS2 Times with that awesome extra controller that looked like an actual cockpit. Time to remake it ^^

[travestyj]

They just need to show more of the AAA games that will have integrated VR instead of mostly just showing the gimmicky games. Games like: Adrift, GT Sport, Robinson, Eve Valkyrie, RIGS, DriveClub, No Man's Sky, Dreams, ARK Survival, FFXIV, Ace Combat 7, War Thunder should be the focus if they want to sell it to casual gamers.

[ApocalypseShadow]

There are so many games coming and vr compatible games for it that this is a mute point.not everyone plays the same type of games.

But if there was one, then it would have to be something like Sports Champions VR. That would cover many bases and would still be fun for everybody without being teen or M rated.
https://www.youtube.com/wat...

[Pintheshadows]

PSVR needs Wipeout. And if Sony aren't working on bringing Wipeout to VR, they are crazy.

Rigs could be good though. It depends on how well its community develops.

[Germany7]

Gran Turismo being compatible with PSVR will help the device a lot.

[pompombrum]

Yes, I can't see games like 100ft robot golf or Eagle selling it tbh. Psychonaughts, Rez, Ace Combat 7 etc will all be mind blowing experiences but once again, on paper none of them have the sort of mass appeal to give VR the success Sony wants it to have.

[Meishpizza]

I still think they are holding off showing No Mans Sky VR, I thought it was going to be shown today, but Shu stated in late October they weren't really ready to announce a price and date for while becuase they are still getting software ready.

That being said I think Sony will hold another event, for PSVR in January/February and with it they will announce Price/ release date. Also I'm hoping they will show off No Mans Sky and say here's the reason you need a PSVR. If you notice everyone is dodging the question not denying the existence of No Mans Sky VR, which to me says its in the works. Maybe it wasn't ready to show yet at the PSX or Maybe they are waiting to show it off when they announce the price and release date, I think it's a little of both. So yes I think it will need a killer app or apps, that doesn't mean it has to be no mans sky, but Maybe Eve Valkyrie, GT Sport or Ace Combat might be it or something we haven't tried. Grrrr I can't wait to hear more!!

[Bathyj]

I think No Mans Sky should be bundled with it. Everyone who buys it gets the game as a bonus.

[fulnattybrah]

After psx, this thing is going to flop hard.... pull the plug sony

[kungfuian]

A few things. First off Sony has never had the 'one killer app' approach. Gran Turismo may be your killer app and God of War is mine... etc... It should go without saying that the popularity of the PlayStation brand is based on the diversity it brings and they will hopefully continue this approach with VR.

Plus killer apps with VR it's not as simple as throwing AAA budgets at it or shoehorning existing Genre kings into VR. We are literally talking wild west uncharted territory stuff here.

Now of course some existing genres/games will be a good fit and we will have AAA games with VR supported modes (Drive Club, Dreams, Gran Turismo, etc). But really, due to it's unique nature, I don't think the killer apps will be found for some time. And when they are found they will likely not be what people are expecting (That's what's exciting about it!!!)

The need to experiment in the VR space, plus the low install base nature of peripherals (max they sell like 20-25 mil of these by end of console cycle), means most software will likely come in the form of smaller budgeted indi sized experiments and projects or non-gaming experiences that could help adoption like virtual Netflix Cinemas, virtual tourism, roller coasters, shopping, etc...etc..

The interesting thing is that's the direction the market has been going anyway. I wouldn't say AAA is dying or anything that extreme, but we have definitely seen a move toward a market that's much more supportive of smaller projects.

All I can say is it will be interesting to see what the killer apps turn out to be. My personal time with the device has me sold and I look forward to being surprised by what ever they come up with!

[kenwonobi]

For it to succeed it's needs to differentiate itself from past novel failures like Kinect and Move. It needs to bring gaming experience similar to console gaming. It needs to bring movie experiences, maybe music, be diverse. Limit the gimmick factor. Limit party games. Limit the amount of shovelware. Treat it as a console launch. Doing that will bring success.