WORLD NEWS: TECH - Sony playstation virtual reality to be released in October

Sony Playstation users will be able to experience the company's version of virtual reality in October when it launches its VR headset.

The price tag will be £349.99 in the UK and $399 in the US and has been hailed by the firm as "a transformative experience in gaming".

The technology will work with the PlayStation 4 console and it will immerse the headset wearer in 360-degree virtual worlds.
Its launch comes in a big year for virtual reality with Facebook's long-awaited Oculus Rift available in the US on 28 March for $599 and the HTC Vive released on 5 April for $799.

Both require high-end PCs in order for the technology to be used.

However, some experiences aren't as expensive. Google has Cardboard which lets people turn their mobile phones into a reality headset for a few pounds.

Deloitte Global predicts virtual reality will have its first billion dollar (£700m) year in 2016, with about $700m (£495m) in hardware sales and the remainder from games and other VR "experiences."

It estimates headset sales of 2.5 million units this year.

New York Times editor Sam Dolnick: "Part of what's so exciting about it is that there are no rules and no best practices.

"It's still really unclear what this is for and how best to use it. We're shaping that at once in real time."

Sony expects to have more than 50 games available from October's launch until the end of the year.

Andrew House, the president and group CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment, admitted the release of the headset was "a bit later than the timeframe we previously stated".

"We wanted to take the time needed to launch with a broad variety of content and a sufficient supply of hardware", he added.

Also included in the £349.99 bundle are headphones and cables.

But what customers won't get for their money is a camera which they will need and is sold separately for about £40.

The bundle also does not include Move controllers, costing about £20 each, which are required for any sort of motion-control games.

Tech website engadget.com said: "It's highly likely what was announced today is just the base configuration for folks who already have those bits collecting dust.

"And that more 'complete' packages will be available, albeit at an almost assuredly higher price."

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