Sony confirms that users who buy the upcoming PlayStation VR2 headset will not be able to play existing PS VR games. However, some games may be updated to support it.

Despite PlayStation 5 being backwards compatible with PlayStation 4 games due to their shared x86 processor architecture, PS VR2 will not be backwards compatible with the approximately 500 PS VR games that are available today.

The confirmation came not during any flashy Sony announcement presentation. Instead, it mentioned casually on the PlayStation podcast. Until now, Sony had refused to comment on the matter publicly.

- "PS VR games are not compatible with PS VR2 because PS VR2 is designed to truly deliver a next-generation VR experience," said Hideaki Nishino, Senior Vice President, Platform Experience. "PS VR has much more advanced features like all new controller haptic feedback, adaptive triggers, inside-out tracking, eye-tracking, and 3D audio. This means that developing games for PS VR2 requires a whole different approach than the original PS VR."

This is a very poor argument for why more capable hardware does not support PS4-generation VR games that should be perfectly compatible with PS5. Ultimately, it comes down to priorities and Sony has seemingly decided not to invest the time required to adapt the headset and controller frameworks.


Double-dipping?
Sony and game developers are reportedly working on PS VR2 versions of original PS VR games. However, it is not clear if these updates will be provided free or charge or if Sony is planning to charge buyers a second time – much like remastered or refreshed PS4 games.

 Also read: Sony: PS5 price to increase in most major markets

Sony has said that there are more than 20 games are in development for PS VR2 including Horizon Call of the Mountain.

PS VR2 will launch sometime in 2023. Pricing has not been announced.

- Source: PS podcast (29:00)