Project Morpheus Release Window, Updated Specs Announced

At GDC 2015, we’ve finally gotten some new information from Sony on Project Morpheus, the PS4’s virtual reality headset. Speaking at a Morpheus specific panel, Shuhei Yoshida revealed the new prototype of the headset, the release window, and some updated  specs, and thanks to the Twitter feed of Sony’s Adam Boyes, it’s almost as if we were there. 

Let’s get the info you’ve been waiting for out of the way. Project Morpheus will be releasing to retail in the first half of 2016. Anywhere from 9 to 15 months from now, you could be experiencing your PS4 games via a virtual reality headset. But a release window isn’t all they announced, as the PS4’s VR headset has been vastly improved since we last saw it. 

The new prototype now features a 5.7 inch 1920 X RGB X 1080 resolution OLED display, as opposed to the original 5 inch LCD one. This new screen expands the field of view to 100 degrees to more fully immerse the player, and lowers the motion blur with a low persistence display. Sony doubled the refresh rate to 120hz in order to be able to achieve 120fps visuals. It also has lowered latency, additional LEDs for improved tracking, and an easier to use design. The PlayStation Blog detailed these new changes:

OLED display: In exchange for the 5 inch LCD, the new Morpheus VR headset is equipped with a 5.7 inch 1920 X RGB X 1080 resolution OLED display. This new screen expands the field of view and enables low persistence, removing motion blur.

120hz refresh rate: The previous refresh rate spec has been doubled for this new prototype, which means games for Morpheus can be rendered at 120fps. When combined with the OLED display’s high refresh rate and the power of PS4, Morpheus is able to output amazingly smooth visuals.

Super low latency: We know how critical low latency is to delivering a great VR experience, and we’ve reduced latency to less than 18ms, about half of what the first Morpheus prototype had. Low latency is critical to deliver a sense of presence, at the same time making the VR experience comfortable to players.

More accurate tracking: To make positional tracking more precise, we’ve added three LEDs to the headset – one on the front and two on the side – for a total of nine LEDs to support robust 360 degree tracking.

User-friendly design: We’ve made the Morpheus VR headset easier to put on and take off, with a single band design and quick release button. The headband supports the weight of the unit on the top of your head, so there is no pressure on your face. Other components have also been adjusted and configured to make the headset lighter, so that players do not find the headset cumbersome or uncomfortable to use.

The PlayStation Blog post went on to promise that we’d be getting additional information at “E3 and beyond” as the launch date approaches, specifically calling out that they will be showing more VR games at those events. 

Our own Dan Oravasaari and Louis Edwards are at GDC this week, so be sure to keep following PlayStation LifeStyle as we bring you more news from the event and our impressions following shortly after. Also don’t forget that we are running a contest to win a PS4, so if you need Sony’s latest console in preparation for Project Morpheus, here’s your chance to get one!

[Source: US PlayStation Blog]