While Sony is hedging its bets on its virtual reality device Project Morpheus to be the next revolution in gaming, will it have enough mass market appeal and support from core gamers so it won’t end the same way 3D TVs and other gimmicks prior to it?
This concern was aired to Sony Worldwide Studios boss Shuhei Yoshida at this year’s E3 by PlayStation LifeStyle during a group media session.
PSLS: VR is a really unique experience, it’s something you really need to try to really understand. So how do you hope to sell that unique experience to people that haven’t tried it and see it as just a gimmick like 3D TVs?
Yoshida: Yeah, so people ask me “is virtual reality the next 3D TV?” And I say, “no, it’s not.” The experience that we are creating is totally different from 3D TV and games on 3D TVs. When you look back, games you played on 3D TVs are almost exactly the same as you’ve played on 2D TVs. You just get depth simulation inside the TV but it’s the same game. You cannot go around the TV to look at things from different angles. But with VR, you are totally surrounded — you are in the game, and you cannot experience this in other forms, so that creates a challenge that you really have to experience to understand what it is you’re getting with VR. So the best way is to get as many people to try Project Morpheus, and once we release it, people who purchased Morpheus (will) want to show it off to your friends or colleagues, and so will create this network of word of mouth. Before the launch, we need to — well, have to — bring Morpheus in some events, or in some, y’know, like in shopping malls or places that people go (to), and to really try to see what it is people are talking about.
Do you agree with Yoshida? Will virtual reality — and Project Morpheus — carve a bigger niche than 3D TVs? For Sony’s sake, let’s hope it does.
In the same media session, Yoshida states that VR is a powerful new medium that “can’t be done” with conventional TVs, consoles and PCs.
Best Moments of E3 2015
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Best Moments of E3 2015
We list down the best (and worst) PlayStation E3 moments in E3 2015!
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Fallout 4 Has a Working, Real Life Pip-Boy!
Announced during Bethesda's E3 press conference is a special edition of Fallout 4 that will include an actual, honest-to-goodness Pip-Boy! Chuck that baby on your wrist and let the smartwatch crowd drool with envy.
Watch the trailer and read about the entire thing here.
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This is Kojima's Last MGS Trailer at E3...Ever
It's no secret by now that Metal Gear Solid creator Hideo Kojima and publisher Konami had a falling out.
That said, it's been mentioned that the Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain trailer rolled out today is Kojima's last one; since, y'know, he's not going to be working for Konami anymore and such.
So, go watch it again, and again, and again. You won't experience anything like this for a long time.
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Fallout 4 Gameplay, Release Date and More
Yeah, Bethesda unloaded a ton of Fallout 4 details like its release date, a host of gameplay videos and more.
Go read it here, you won't be disappointed.
Remember, it's coming out THIS year!
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Star Wars Battlefront Multiplayer Footage Might Have Lived Up to the Hype
Remember the Star Wars Battlefront reveal trailer? Yeah, there's no way that's gameplay, right?
Well, EA revealed actual PS4 gameplay and you know what? It's not half bad. Heck, it's kinda impressive.
Don't forget to check the Darth Vader and Luke showdown at the end!
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EA E3 Presser That Droned On...
We get it. Not every E3 press conference can be about megatons, surprises and whatnot, but seriously, EA?
After starting with an amazing Mass Effect: Andromeda reveal trailer. the publisher then went into full on "WTF" mode. It shoved down its sports games down our throats, used football great Pele in a not-so-good way, and THEN talked about mobile games.
Seriously, it's enough to make anyone scratch their heads.
EA might know about it, too, as it stowed its Star Wars Battlefront gameplay reveal trailer at the very end (just after the Mirror's Edge Catalyst reveal) just to make sure the audience stuck around.
EA, please don't do this again next year...please!
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Call of Duty Has a New Mistress and Her Name is PlayStation
Ever since the Call of Duty franchise got super big, it's become synonymous with the Xbox brand.
Map packs were always available on Microsoft's console first, gameplay footage was always revealed during Microsoft's presser, every system used when the game was shown to the public was an Xbox, and so on.
Well, that changed today. Now, Call of Duty: Black Ops 3's multiplayer was revealed during Sony's E3 presser. Map packs will be available on PlayStation platforms first, too.
Finally, Sony exec Andrew House hammered the point across by announcing that the Black Ops 3 beta will be available first on the PS4.
Yep, it's now confirmed that frat boys, and dudebros prefer the PS4 for their shootbang fix.
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After Years of Begging Final Fantasy VII Remake is Now a Reality
After countless begging, harassing, and all sorts of crying, Final Fantasy VII is finally -- finally -- getting a remake. And nope. not that bullshit port for the PS4, either.
This is a full blown remake playable first on the PS4.
Now prepare for the"it's not as good as before" or "this sucks, I didn't know" complaints to flood in once it does finally see release.
Either that or it kickstarts the JRPG genre back to life.
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Horizon Proves Guerilla is Ready to Move on From Killzone
Yep, the rumors were true. Guerilla Games is working on a game not titled Killzone.
And you know what? If this trailer for Horizon is any indication, they're on the right track.
We can't wait to shoot cyber-dinos in their weak spot and see them explode.
Now, where's that release date, Guerilla?
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Shenmue 3 is Getting Made...Finally!
Completing the megaton trifecta at this year's E3 (Final Fantasy VII Remake, The Last Guardian and this), is Sony's announcement that Shenmue III is on Kickstarter and is being made for the PS4!
After years of wishing, petitions and whatnot, gamers might finally be able to play Yu Suzuki's long awaited masterpiece.
Go watch the trailer now, and then go support it on Kickstarter. Go do it...now! We've even included the Kickstarter link in the trailer post.
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The Last Guardian Bought Back From the Dead...For Real This Time
After countless rumors, and delays, The Last Guardian finally resurfaced at Sony's E3 presser this year!
It's definitely a surprise to see that the game is finally confirmed for the PS4, and is getting released next year.
Now, go watch The Last Guardian's E3 2015 trailer before it disappears once more.
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Uncharted 4 Just Raised the Hype Even More
It's a shame that Uncharted 4 got delayed to next year, but after seeing how much work Naughty Dog is piling on it, you just know it's going to be something special.
Go watch this gameplay trailer and be amazed at Naughty Dog's technical wizardry.
2016 can't come soon enough.
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Ubisoft's
First-person shooters are a dime a dozen, right? Leave it to Ubisoft to come reveal a third-person action game in the vein of Bushido Blade at its press conference.
For Honor is different, more tactical, and has huge armies battling each other.
It's so different, that it might just be on to something that we just don't know it yet.
Check out the multiplayer reveal video, as well as official game details here.
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Kingdom Hearts 3 Shown Off and Proves JRPGs are Still Big
Square Enix just reminded gamers everywhere how awesome JRPGs were. Way back then, the genre was the Call of Duty before even Call of Duty was even a thing.
The Kingdom Hearts 3 reveal at Square Enix's press conference got the most reaction from the people and with good reason...it looked amazing and proved JRPGs are/can still be huge!
JRPGs fans are in for a treat with KH3 and FF7 Remake now in active development. Let's just hope it sees the light of day soon!