Sony’s unveiling of Project Morpheus

At GDC, Sony revealed that it has been working on a virtual reality project for PS4 code-named Project Morpheus. It certainly looks better aesthetically than the Oculus Rift -the VR device for PC. It’s lighter too, but has some drawbacks.

One problem is already apparent, Sony’s VR device uses an LCD screen instead of an OLED one that the Rift uses. Many have suggested that the OLED screen is easier on the eyes, although they both run at 1080p (1900 x 1080). The other problem is that allegedly the Morpheus also has a light bleed issue, in which light from your environment leaks into the headset, hence, breaking immersion.

The VR dream is not yet here however, neither the Morpheus or the Oculus Rift are ready for consumers. It looks likely that the Rift will be available by the end of the year.

Certainly by coming out with its own VR device, Sony is squaring off with the Oculus Rift. The fact that there are two direct competitors in the VR world, is probably better in the long run for the Rift because it does one of two things:

1. In many ways this is legitimizing the Rift as a viable product for consumers.
2. Project Morpheus is tethered to the PS4, which means its hardware will remain static and unchangeable.

PlayStation Move will be integrated into Sony’s VR kit

But the Rift however, is linked to PCs, which only get more powerful as the years roll on. It’s certainly foreseeable that at the end of the PS4’s life cycle, the Rift will be working with much more advanced hardware than the PS4.

In short, Sony are using the PlayStation Eye and pairing it with the VR handset to create Project Morpheus.  In turn this will track the player, and Sony believes this will make the experience more immersive by reacting to the players movements in real-time.

Sony will also use Project Morpheus in conjunction with the PlayStation move, which will act as digital motion signals to represent their arms in-game.