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Apple’s Vision Pro headset has not achieved the transformative success the company anticipated. The hefty price of $3,500 has deterred some users, while the VR gaming ecosystem has not met expectations, an essential component for growth in this market. In response, Apple is now teaming up with Sony to bolster its gaming capabilities.
According to a report from Bloomberg, the two firms are collaborating to integrate support for the PlayStation VR 2 controllers with Apple’s expensive headset. The report notes, “Apple has talked to third-party developers, encouraging them to add compatibility with their games.”
Interestingly, while both Apple and Sony were expected to announce controller compatibility recently, technical challenges have delayed this confirmation. There’s currently no set timeline for when this partnership will be finalized, with the possibility of it being scrapped altogether.
As part of this collaboration, Sony plans to offer the PlayStation VR 2 controller through Apple’s online store as well as in physical retail locations. Apple’s storefront already features various third-party accessories, including the Sony PlayStation DualSense Wireless controller.
Thus far, the Vision Pro has struggled to support third-party VR controllers effectively, although it does work with standard gamepads from manufacturers such as Sony, Microsoft, and 8BitDo. This limitation has negatively impacted the device’s aspirations within the VR gaming landscape.
Many VR games rely heavily on specialized motion controllers, making the transition to hand and eye tracking a complex challenge. In contrast, Apple has embraced gesture controls based on hand and eye movements for the Vision Pro’s functionality.
Despite this focus, Apple recognizes the utility of physical controllers for accurate interactions and the enhanced experience provided by haptic feedback in virtual reality, especially in gaming. Reports indicate that Apple previously considered dedicated VR accessories for the Vision Pro but ultimately scrapped those plans.
According to a Bloomberg article from 2023, Apple explored the idea of a finger-worn device for controlling the headset and looked into using third-party VR controllers, such as those offered by HTC. However, the company ultimately decided to prioritize hand and eye tracking technology over the use of physical controllers.
The partnership with Sony not only holds promise for enhancing VR gaming on the Vision Pro but may also improve navigation across the visionOS platform. The collaboration aims to optimize features of the PlayStation VR 2 controller—like the D-Pad, triggers, and thumbsticks—for various tasks, including scrolling and clicking.
This would benefit users who prefer a more tactile interaction with the system rather than relying solely on gestures. Beyond such corporate partnerships, there are initiatives, like iVRy, aimed at introducing SteamVR support to the Vision Pro headset.
However, whether Apple’s collaboration with Sony will lead to a new range of MFi-certified VR controllers remains uncertain. The same Bloomberg report indicates that Apple has sold only about 500,000 units of the Vision Pro, and enthusiasm among developers for creating exclusive titles for the headset seems lukewarm at best.
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