Sony Betting on the Metaverse: Will a $360 VR Headset Achieve Wide Adoption?

With PlayStation sales slowing down, Sony is betting big on a new, affordable Metaverse headset called the Mocopi.

Nowadays, Sony is most famous for the PlayStation. However, with the game sales declining and the profit outlook plummeting for the entire gaming division, Sony has been looking to invest in other ventures and technologies. One such opportunity is the Metaverse.

With the announcement of a new set of wearable motion trackers, the Japanese giant is trying to attract as many people as possible to the Metaverse. But will Sony be able to do what so many have failed to do with the Metaverse devices – bring them to the mainstream?

How Does the Mocopi the Work?

So what’s the new Sony wearable all about? Dubbed the Mocopi, the VR kit aims to immerse the user in a virtual world fully. It comes with six different picks that should be worn around the users’ heads, hips, wrists, and ankles.

It allows the user an all-in-sone motion tracking system that should allow for complete immersion in the Metaverse.

The system will be available to the general public in January 2023, with a price tag of 49,500 yen, or $360. That’s a reasonable price, especially when you compare it to other VR systems on the market. With a relatively modest price, what does Sony expect to see in terms of adoption?

The Problem With VR Wearables

While you can find thousands of VR products on the market today, you can’t really say that they’ve taken over the world. The main reason for this? High prices.

According to a Morning Consult survey of more than 4,400 American adults, nearly half said that having less expensive VR technology on the market is either “somewhat” or “very important” for its widespread adoption.

No matter how cool it might be, one can’t expect the average person to spend four figures on technology. That’s why Sony chose to make the Mocopi available for such an affordable price.

It’s safe to say that Sony has decent expectations for the Mocopi. They aim to make the VR headset available to many people, not just techies, and hardcore gamers.

The VR kit will be compatible with both iOS and Android devices, so loyal users of both systems can immerse themselves in their games. And since Meta is working on its VR experience, Sony can capitalize on the momentum created by the platform.

It seems like Sony is going all in on the Metaverse. This is one of their large-scale, Metaverse-related project in 2022. Earlier this year, the company announced its Theta Network partnership and plans to test advanced 3D NFTs for the Spatial Reality Display.

Will Sony Bring VR to the Average Consumer?

So, there you have it! The Mocopi system is an affordable way to enjoy VR apps and games. But will it be enough to make VR mainstream, finally? 

That’s what everyone’s been thinking. Huge tech advancements like the personal computer, mobile phone, and the Internet were only widely adopted once they became more affordable and easier to use.

With the Mocopi system, Sony hopes to make VR accessible to the average consumer. We must wait until January 2023 to see if their bet pays off.