With Sony showing no interest in future VR, now is the time to port Astro Bot

[G-X]

With the recent developments around PSVR, both that there are no PS5 versions of PS VR titles and the comment from Jim Ryan I think it is pretty clear Sony is at best taking a wait and see approach for future VR headsets and software, and more likely than not moving away from the technology entirely. As someone with a decent PSVR game collection, and it being my only headset I was hoping we would get an updated unit with inside out tracking and better screens and finally ditch the move controllers, but that ship has sailed so now the next best option would be for some of the best PSVR exclusives to come to PC.

Key among these is Astro Bot Rescue Mission. Much like how Astro's Playroom is being touted as the feature showcase for the dual sense, Astro Bot was the first game that really really impressed me in VR.

From what I have seen of Playroom it doesn't quite capture the expansive world that Astro Bot did, and as someone now at non-Sony headsets this is one of a handful of PSVR exclusives that they should port if they are not going forward with hardware development.

 

[Wollan]

Well you're obviously wrong.

 

[BloodHound]

With the recent developments around PSVR, both that there are no PS5 versions of PS VR titles and the comment from Jim Ryan I think it is pretty clear Sony is at best taking a wait and see approach for future VR headsets and software, and more likely than not moving away from the technology entirely. As someone with a decent PSVR game collection, and it being my only headset I was hoping we would get an updated unit with inside out tracking and better screens and finally ditch the move controllers, but that ship has sailed so now the next best option would be for some of the best PSVR exclusives to come to PC.

Key among these is Astro Bot Rescue Mission. Much like how Astro's Playroom is being touted as the feature showcase for the dual sense, Astro Bot was the first game that really really impressed me in VR.

From what I have seen of Playroom it doesn't quite capture the expansive world that Astro Bot did, and as someone now at non-Sony headsets this is one of a handful of PSVR exclusives that they should port if they are not going forward with hardware development.

Click to shrink...

Lmao...people just don't have patience on this forum. These posts always look dating AF in the future.

 

[Last_colossi]

Just because Sony might not be supporting a last gen VR device that well on PS5 doesn't mean they aren't working on a PSVR2.

 

[Majik13]

Unless I missed some news, pretty sure they have said in the past they are developing new VR HW. There are even patents to prove it as well.
They just want to focus on one piece of new HW at a time is all.

 

[Spiderhead]

Huh?
A main studio of Sony's just put out a patch for a VR game..what are you on about.

 

[RadioJoNES]

I think they are gonna make a new headset. A cooler one without the stupid fucking move controllers from 2010.

 

[TheRealTalker]

Sony of course isn't going to talk about new headset when they never officially announced it.

Neither are they going to prematurely announce PSVR2 when it likely isn't going to come out until later, on top of that having to focus on PS5's launch first in terms of marketing rather then causing confusion with two hardware releases.

We may see PSVR2 announced next year or the year after that.

 

[HeyNay]

Didn't they file a patent for a new VR controller design recently? PSVR also sold really well, and I remember reading that Sony was quite pleased with it. There will definitely be a PSVR 2. My guess is they are just sending a message not to expect it anytime soon.

 

[Commodore64]

I swear some resetera posters must be incredibly fit with all the jumping to conclusions they do.

 

[DeathyG]

Sony abandons VR - The next Bloomberg article

 

[Wetalo]

You know Sony has shown early prototype footage of their next VR headset's controller, right?

Sony Prototype VR Controller with Full Hand Tracking

Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) researchers unveiled a prototype motion controller recently which showcases experimental techniques into full hand track...

youtu.be

 

[TheRealTalker]

On another note though. Even with PSVR2 being likely made I do wonder if they will do a port version of Rescue Mission regardless? Seeing as we are getting PS5 rereleases of titles but PlayRoom is included with every PS5 so as a side quick thing before Rescue Mission 2 for PSVR2 they can release the OG game reworked as a non VR title.

They'd have to change some stuff but I can see it selling well if they marketed it and sold it at a good price.

 

[zombiejames]

Jeeze, not every little thing needs to be 100% there on day one.

 

[Quample]

The thing is, VR is a very deliberate part of Astrobot's design. It's not as simple as porting the new one to VR since it wasn't made for it.

Also, Sony is almost assuredly not giving up on VR hardware. There are likely multiple games being developed for the new headset that will probably be out in 2-3 years.

PSVR was proof of concept and it more or less succeeded; now that Sony has more experience under their belt and a much more powerful system, round two will be completely different.

 

[Zachary_Games]

I'm down with an Astrobot port, but I'm not feeling you on Sony abandoning VR.

Sony must know there are folks like me thirsty for a PSVR2.

 

[BigTnaples]

PSVR is doing well. Sony is supporting it. New games are coming out. It's fine.

 

[sun-drop]

thats what you got from sony's PR on this?

it's pretty clear they have PSVR2 on the way, and its launch date is about two years away .. they don't want to step on PS5's first year titles with a distracting second platform launch

 

[Clark Zuckerberg]

I don't think they'd be giving out FREE adapters to PS VR customers for a 4 year old headset if they didn't see a future in VR on PlayStation. They would just tell you to keep your PS4 to play PS VR on. From all accounts they've been happy with sales but think they were still too early with the VR craze before it became ubiquitous.

 

[Ridley327]

On another note though. Even with PSVR2 being likely made I do wonder if they will do a port version of Rescue Mission regardless? Seeing as we are getting PS5 rereleases of titles but PlayRoom is included with every PS5 so as a side quick thing before Rescue Mission 2 for PSVR2 they can release the OG game reworked as a non VR title.

They'd have to change some stuff but I can see it selling well if they marketed it and sold it at a good price.

Click to shrink...

The amount of work that has to go into making Astro Bot a flat-screen title is comparable to making a new game outright, and chances are pretty darn good that they've been working on a full-fledged new game for a while now. Whether or not Astro Bot 2 is strictly VR or playable in both modes is up for debate, but I don't see them making such a big effort to convert a game over like that when there's really not that much call for it.

 

[Darknight]

If PSVR2 is a few years away, can Sony at least sell me a processor box that will allow HDMI 2.1 passthrough? Integrating PSVR into the PS5 is going to be painful.

 

[Fat4all]

sony MURDERED vr

i saw it last THURS

 

[Incite]

What did I miss, how has "that ship sailed?"

They're releasing a new console right now, give it a year and a half or two🙄

 

[PlayBee]

Sony should port Astrobot to PCVR and Quest

 

[Pai Pai Master]

Astrobot Rescue Mission is a VR game designed for VR. You can't play it without head tracking. At least not well or in an engaging manner.

Astro's PlayRoom will probably get a DLC expansion or something with new levels.

Rescue Mission will likely get an update or remaster for PSVR2 and a sequel.

 

[Chase1ne]

Clearly, they have shown an interest in future VR. Otherwise, they wouldn't be doing R&D on a new headset or brand new VR controllers, which they've filed patents for.

 

[Portmanteau]

What was Jim Ryan's comment? You can't just say "Jim Ryan's comment" and not provide it.

 

[TheRealTalker]

The amount of work that has to go into making Astro Bot a flat-screen title is comparable to making a new game outright, and chances are pretty darn good that they've been working on a full-fledged new game for a while now. Whether or not Astro Bot 2 is strictly VR or playable in both modes is up for debate, but I don't see them making such a big effort to convert a game over like that when there's really not that much call for it.

Click to shrink...

True, I just hope there is a lot of popularity after some early PS5 adopters play Astro.

Then they can make both a VR Sequel AND a non VR title for this gen.

And maybe if they interest is big enough they can do a retooling re release akin to how Spiderman: MM has Spiderman remastered as an "ultimate" bundle.

 

[VanWinkle]

No. Astro Bot is a great platformer, but it being so amazing is almost entirely because of its success as a VR title.

It would be like wanting a 2D sidescroller version of Mario 64.

 

[The Third Heat]

A bit soon for this. Especially seeing as how London Studio announced an update for Blood and Truth. It's not a PS5 version of the game, but it might as well be.

Also, Rescue Mission in 2D wouldn't even be 1/100th of the experience it is in VR. It'd just be another normal platformer, rather than one of the best games of the last generation.

 

[Mohsenix]

This thread surely will age well.

 

[reclaimerzzzzz]

No. Astro Bot is a great platformer, but it being so amazing is almost entirely because of its success as a VR title.

It would be like wanting a 2D sidescroller version of Mario 64.

Click to shrink...

A bit soon for this. Especially seeing as how London Studio announced an update for Blood and Truth. It's not a PS5 version of the game, but it might as well be.

Also, Rescue Mission in 2D wouldn't even be 1/100th of the experience it is in VR. It'd just be another normal platformer, rather than one of the best games of the last generation.

Click to shrink...

I believe OP is saying port to PCVR, not to a 2D game.

 

[Precious Tritium]

I don't get how people are taking Jim Ryan's quote to mean PlayStation has given up on VR. Anyone making VR hardware knows it's a niche for now and they want to try and build an audience. Saying that VR's mainstream success is a few years away doesn't mean they want no part of it until then.

 

[NightHamAlum]

This is a crock of shit. Sony outright said PSVR is still a part of their future plans but that this year was strictly focused on the rollout of the PS5. There's already multiple patents for a PSVR 2 and corresponding controllers. Not to mention making it backwards compatible with the current PSVR headsets.

This is a bunch of nonsense.

 

[Ridley327]

No. Astro Bot is a great platformer, but it being so amazing is almost entirely because of its success as a VR title.

It would be like wanting a 2D sidescroller version of Mario 64.

Click to shrink...

That's where I'm at with the game. The platforming is fine and does have some nice execution elements to it that pop up here and there, but it's all the VR integration that really takes it to the next level by making the player not only the camera, but a physical object in the world to help and interact with Astro to pull off the genuinely impressive bits of puzzle-solving it has throughout. The mine cart level alone is enough to prove just how important the VR experience is to the game since you could not pull something like that off in a typical 3D platformer situation.

 

[henhowc]

Receipts?

 

[8byte]

How many squats do you need to do to jump to this many conclusions?

 

[G-X]

Sony should port Astrobot to PCVR and Quest

Click to shrink...

Thats basically a tldr of my OP

 

[FIREKNIGHT2029]

The premise of this thread is highly inaccurate. Just because they aren't showing strong interest in promoting PSVR now doesn't mean they aren't fully onboard with VR. Has it occurred to you that they are moving on to PSVR 2.0. What's the point of having a new next gen console if it's being held back by ancient hardware like the current PSVR? It's pretty obvious they are hard at work on the PSVR 2.0 and they will reveal to us when they are ready. We've already seen numerous patents that show that they are working hard in implementing new technology into future VR headsets.

You also make it sound like Sony has completely abandoned PSVR when they have the devs of Blood and Truth coming out with a patch that utilizes PS5 hardware.

 

[Transistor]

Sony abandons VR - The next Bloomberg article

Click to shrink...

Ok, this got a chuckle out of me

 

[Deleted member 51539]

nvm

 

[Doskoi Panda]

#1 - Sony is not giving up on VR anytime soon
#2 - sure yeah I'd take an Astrobot PC port cuz it means I could play wirelessly with my Quest but it's not gonna happen on the basis that Sony is done with console VR

 

[The Third Heat]

I believe OP is saying port to PCVR, not to a 2D game.

Click to shrink...

Ah, you're right. I can't read. I'm so used to seeing people asking for a flat Astro Bot port, I jumped to conclusions.

I say go for it, but I think Sony is positioning Astro and friends as a mascot, so I doubt we'll see him on anything other than Sony devices.

 

[shadowsdarknes]

As much as I'd love PS VR2 plans coming in 2021, I'm okay with being patient.

 

[TSM]

The original PSVR had something like a 5% attach rate. I have no idea why people thought Sony would be launching with the next gen of VR when the user base to support it won't exist for several years.

 

[lupinko]

Isn't there already a PS5 only PSVR game announced? lol

 

[Deleted member 51539]

Isn't there already a PS5 only PSVR game announced? lol

Click to shrink...

No. PSVR doesn't work on PS5 games.

 

[the-pi-guy]

Op seems to be talking about porting to PCVR, not other platforms without VR.

With the recent developments around PSVR, both that there are no PS5 versions of PS VR titles and the comment from Jim Ryan I think it is pretty clear Sony is at best taking a wait and see approach for future VR headsets and software, and more likely than not moving away from the technology entirely. As someone with a decent PSVR game collection, and it being my only headset I was hoping we would get an updpated unit with inside out tracking and better screens and finally ditch the move controllers, but that ship has sailed so now the next best option would be for some of the best PSVR exclusives to come to PC.

Click to shrink...

Uh not even close.

They're ensuring that PSVR users don't get abandoned in the mean time. All PSVR games will be playable on PS4. So they aren't required to get on PS5 just to continue playing PSVR games.
We can expect a PSVR successor in ~2 years or so.

PSVR is only 4 years old, in a company that tends to only make new hardware every 5-7 years. They've talked about successor quite extensively. Just be patient.

 

[Plasma]

I'm fairly confident they'll make a PSVR2 for the PS5 but they're probably waiting a couple of years for the PS5 user base to grow. No sense selling an expensive peripheral and developing games for it if the user base isn't there yet.

 

[Random Character]

Is this just a PC VR port begging thread because Sony obviously aren't abandoning VR I mean for example London Studio just announced a PS5 upgrade for Blood and Truth today.