PlayStation VR is coming to Europe on 13 October

Sony has confirmed 13 October 2016 as the arrival date for its high-end PlayStation VR headset, which will be priced at €399.

The good news is that Ireland will be among the first countries to get its hands on the virtual reality (VR) headset, alongside Australia, Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom.

The second wave of countries to get access to the technology will be revealed in the coming months.

“PlayStation VR is a virtual reality system that takes PS4 to the next level of immersion,” said Jim Ryan, president of Sony Computer Entertainment Europe.

“With the launch of PS VR on the horizon, we are looking forward to showing consumers that innovation has never been stronger at PlayStation as we offer unique experiences that truly embody VR’s potential.”

Buyers will need to own a PlayStation Camera to operate the new VR headset.

A launch bundle that comes with PlayStation Camera and two PlayStation Move controllers will also be available at launch.

In terms of launch software, the following titles will be available on day one:

• Rigs – €59.99
• VR Worlds – €39.99
• Until Dawn: Rush of Blood – €19.99
• Super Stardust – €19.99 [or €9.99 upgrade]
• Hustle Kings – €19.99 [or €9.99 upgrade]
• Tumble VR – €9.99

Sony gears up for critical Christmas games season

I know it’s too early to talk about Christmas, but in the video games industry, the holiday season is top of mind, especially at events like E3.

Key titles that will be added to the PlayStation 4 library include God of War, Spider-Man and Days Gone.

Other highly-anticipated titles include Horizon Zero Dawn, Detroit: Become Human, and The Last Guardian. SIEA also announced that The Last Guardian will launch on 25 October.

At E3, Sony also revealed that one of its most beloved characters, Crash Bandicoot, will be appearing in Skylanders Imaginators.

In 2017, fans can play Crash 1, Crash 2, and Crash Warped, fully remastered for PS4 by Activision and Vicarious Visions.

Not only this, but PlayStation 4 gamers will be the first to play all downloadable map packs from Infinite Warfare, and those who pre-purchase select editions of the game for PS4 will be the first to play Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Remastered’s campaign 30 days prior to launch on 4 November.

Other titles shown at Sony’s E3 press event included Lego Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Resident Evil 7 Biohazard, and Final Fantasy XV.

“PlayStation’s heritage has been built around innovation and groundbreaking gaming experiences, and today’s reveals of new PS4 and PS VR content speaks to our continued commitment to this evolution of gaming,” said Shawn Layden, president of SIEA and chairman of SIE Worldwide Studios.

“From the reimagining of God of War to the brand new world of Days Gone, this E3 marks one of the best content line-ups in PlayStation history. With the launch of PS VR on the horizon, innovation also has never been stronger at PlayStation as developers, from smaller independent teams to larger studios, have been able to quickly leverage the technology and create unique experiences that truly embody VR’s potential,” Layden said.