M+E Connections
October Looks to be Big for VR
Story Highlights
Fans and stakeholders in virtual reality need to mark two dates on their calendar in October.
On Oct. 4, Google will unveil Daydream, its upgrade to the Google Cardboard mobile VR headset. The set promises to be VR compatible with a wide range of smartphones, bringing a higher-quality VR experience to millions of potential users, at a low cost.
Based on the Android operating system, Daydream apps will run on phones certified by Google, and the headset promises to be a competitor to the Samsung Gear VR, which to date has enjoyed little competition in the mobile VR space.
Then, on Oct. 13, PlayStation releases its long-anticipated PlayStation VR headset, offering another high-end VR system to rival the HTC Vive and Oculus Rift.
Sid Shuma, director of social media for Sony Interactive Entertainment, noted that while preorders are long over, retailers should be fully stocked when the system is released. “In the U.S. and Canada, the Core bundle will come with the PS VR headset and processor unit, wired stereo headphones, all required cabling and the PS VR Demo Disc, which contains 18 sweet demos — some of my favorites include ‘Here They Lie’ and ‘Battlezone,’ but try ‘em all and let me know your top pick,” he wrote.
Best Buy has promised to sell the PlayStation VR early, selling the system at 9:01 P.M. Pacific on Oct. 12. “If you can’t get there for the early openings, fear not,” wrote Best Buy spokesman Shane Kitzman. “There will be limited quantities of PlayStation VR available at each Best Buy store nationwide the next day, as well as on BestBuy.com.
“Best Buy was one of the first retailers to offer demos of PlayStation VR back in June, bringing one of the hottest gaming products to VR fans in about 200 Best Buy stores across the country.”
