This document discusses increasing the value and accessibility of consumer VR in its second year and beyond. It summarizes the successful launch of PSVR in late 2016, with over 2 million units sold and 150+ titles available. It emphasizes continuing to build value through more high-quality content and new uses, while improving accessibility through inclusive design, social features, and ways to share the VR experience beyond just the headset viewer. New research is exploring dynamic spectating and virtual sets to enhance sharing VR experiences. The goal is to make VR more engaging, approachable and enjoyable for more people.

1. Unlocking VR’s
Potential Richard Marks
PlayStation Magic Lab
Sony Interactive Entertainment

2. High-quality consumer VR: Year 2 and beyond
• Increase value
Value = Benefit - Cost
• Improve accessibility
ac·ces·si·bil·i·ty noun
1) the quality of being easy to obtain or use.
2) the quality of being easily understood or appreciated.
3) the quality of being easily used by people who have a disability.
Make available, known, and usable to more people

3. Off to a great start!
• Launched Oct 2016
• Over 2million units sold through
• 12.2 million games purchased
• 150+ titles available
* December 2017 data

4. Value and Accessibility
• Leveraged PS4, PS4 camera, and
PS4 controller hardware
• Plug and play
• Support for glasses
• Social screen

5. Value and Accessibility
• Over 500,000 in-store demos
• Aggressive pricing and bundle options
• Extensive experience lineup
• Demo disc

6. Increasing Value
• Content, content, content
– Games, games, games
• New uses
• Cost reduction
– June “Days of Play” pricing
$199.99 USD (MSRP) $249.99 USD (MSRP)
Over 220 now!

7. Recipes for Success

9. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim VR
Wish fulfillment: visit Tamriel, ride a dragon,
swing a sword, shoot magic from your hands

10. WipEout Omega Collection
Good flatscreen game, even better in VR

11. Moss
Amazing game designed for VR from the start
Great art and animation, classic narrative

12. Moss: All Aspects of Accessibility
• Comfortable
• Approachable
• Sign language

13. VR Accessibility
• Con
Visit to Gallaudet University, facilitated by ESA
Terrific insights into VR experience for hearing-impaired

14. Rec Room
Focused on engagement and
co-presence gameplay

15. Sharing the VR experience
• Social screen is critical for
proximal VR sharing!
• But 1st person VR view does not translate so well to streaming
– Spectator experience does not match VR streamer experience

16. Research: Virtual Set
• Work by Richard Forster,
SIE London R&D
• Presented at GDC 2018
• Streamer green screen
– simple setup
– uses 1 PSVR setup and
2nd PS4 and camera

17. Research: Dynamic spectating
• Work by PlayStation Magic Lab
• Demo at GDC2018
• Viewpoint is interactive
• Motion parallax gives 3d effect
– Desktop VR (Fishtank VR)
– Mobile view into VR

18. VR “Window”

19. Wonkavision

20. Dynamic spectating with a tablet

21. New use: VR for spectating

22. VR spectators could be “super spectators”

23. Keys to continued success
• Increase VR value with…
– high-caliber content
– new uses
• Improve VR accessibility by…
– inclusive design and features
– sharing the immersive experience

24. Thank you!