🪦 Sony has reportedly sold all 419 of its VR, AR, and XR patents to Meta, virtually ending hopes for a PSVR 3
💰 Meta purchased the patents to bolster its continuing VR/AR investments, including upcoming Meta VR Glasses
👉 Valve also recently entered the space with its $1,059 Steam Frame VR headset
🤷♂️ Console competitors like Xbox never launched a dedicated headset, leaving VR users dependent on dedicated third-party options
Those who were quietly hoping that Sony would revisit VR for the PS6 won’t be pleased to hear that Sony has reportedly sold off all of its patents relating to VR, AR, and XR – all but confirming we’ll never get a PSVR 3.
The report comes from ZDNet Korea (via Google Translate), which says Meta has snapped up Sony’s patents that range from head-mounted displays and cameras, to how a headset processes information. Meta will take 419 patents off Sony’s hands, though it’s unclear how much it has paid for the privilege.
Unlike Sony, which left PSVR 2 to die the moment it shipped, Meta isn’t giving up on VR and AR, and recently announced its Meta VR Glasses, which are set to launch early next year for $1,299.99.
We’ve also recently seen Valve release its VR headset, the Steam Frame, for $1,059 after many months of delays. Sony launched the PSVR 2 for $550 in 2023, which may seem cheap, but it was $150 more than the original and the Meta Quest 3S, which was $299.
Microsoft never followed PlayStation with an Xbox headset of its own, instead choosing to partner with Meta for a limited edition Meta Quest 3S. With Sony now waving the white flag on its VR aspirations, it seems like virtual reality fans will have to rely on more bespoke, often expensive alternatives.
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Adam Vjestica is The Shortcut’s Senior Editor. Formerly TechRadar’s Gaming Hardware Editor, Adam has also worked at Nintendo of Europe as a Content Marketing Editor, where he helped launch the Nintendo Switch. He also runs a retro gaming YouTube channel called Game on, boy! Follow him on X @ItsMrProducts.