Games/Interactive

Initial consumer demand for virtual reality (VR) devices continues to be promising, according to the latest comments from retail chain GameStop. The gaming retailer sold out of its second allotment of PlayStation (PS) VR just four minutes after it started taking orders as part of its continued pre-order program for the product, the company announced this month. But GameStop was mum July 6 on just how many units of the PS VR were sold as part of that second allotment, and when it expects to make more units available as part of a third allotment from Sony. The retail chain didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment. But CEO Paul Raines said on GameStop’s May 26 first-quarter earnings call that allocation for VR headsets was “significantly less” than 1 million units. GameStop, on June 30, became the “only retailer to re-open pre-orders” for PS VR, it said, adding the allotment of VR systems was available only on its web site and sold out quickly.

“The fact that this second allotment sold out in a matter of minutes demonstrates the customer anticipation and fervor for this exciting interactive technology,” Bob Puzon, GameStop SVP of merchandising, said in a news release. “We’re working closely with Sony to get more PS VR units, and will let our customers know when they become available,” he said.

The $399.99 core PS VR SKU will be on GameStop’s store shelves and ready to ship in October, the retail chain said. Sony had said it’s launching PS VR Oct. 13 with a standalone headset for $399 and a $499.99 PS VR launch bundle that includes the headset, PlayStation Camera, two PlayStation Move controllers and the software title “PlayStation Worlds.”

GameStop previously said it was also seeing consumer demand for the HTC Vive VR headset. The retailer already started showcasing and selling that device and expanded its availability from 10 stores to 100 stores, COO Tony Bartel said on GameStop’s earnings call. “A million people” had expressed interest in the technology by signing up to get a device, he said, predicting demand would only grow after June’s Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) in Los Angeles.

Best Buy and Microsoft didn’t immediately comment on initial demand for VR headsets at their stores. Best Buy held PS VR demo events at select U.S. stores July 1-3. Select Microsoft stores, meanwhile, are demonstrating the HTC Vive headset, which runs on Windows 10.