Sony will potentially ‘dominate’ the virtual reality market with the upcoming PlayStation VR headset in 2016 despite launching late in the year, reckons Piers Harding-Rolls, Director of Games for IHS Technology.
Not counting mobile VR devices, the company reckons that PS VR will grab around 64 percent of the market share, which translates to 1.6 million units sold this year alone.
"With a forecast installed base of 53m PS4s by the end of 2016, Sony has a much bigger addressable market of ‘ready-to-go’ consumers to address than PC-based solutions. In contrast, IHS forecasts that 17m consumers will addressable by Oculus Rift and HTC Vive by the end of 2016," he commented.
"Sony has confirmed that over 230 developers are working on the PlayStation VR platform. Sony’s existing in-house expertise and third-party relationships means it is well positioned to build a strong body of content for launch of the platform.
“Sony’s walled garden approach to the PS4 platform means it is well placed to provide a better controlled and consistent VR experience to consumers. This will be important in driving adoption and positive word of mouth for PlayStation VR."
Harding-Rolls also addressed the price point for the upcoming virtual reality headset, suggesting that Sony is ‘bang on the money’ with both the cost and launch window.