PlayStation VR2 SDK update adds exciting new features

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Key Takeaways

  • Future PlayStation VR2 games may include hand tracking functionality via a new SDK update.
  • The PS VR2 competes with the Meta Quest headset, which offers high fidelity through a tethered connection to the PS5.
  • The hand tracking demonstrated in PS VR2 has not been implemented in games yet, but could make VR more immersive.



PlayStation VR2 New SDK updates may add hand tracking to the game in the future. The exciting news has been quietly announced by Sony, but it could bring major changes to the experience of playing VR games for some PlayStation VR2 users.

The PSVR2 is the main competitor to the Meta Quest line of headsets, offering a significantly cheaper entry point into virtual reality. Unlike the Quest headset, PSVR 2 leverages the PlayStation 5's hardware capabilities to deliver increased fidelity and processing power, but with the downside of being physically connected to the console. Almost every virtual reality headset has its twists and turns, but PSVR 2 adds new features that could help make it more competitive with the Quest.

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Resident Evil 7 released for PS VR 2

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One of the best PlayStation VR games may finally be coming to PSVR 2.

One of the best and scariest PlayStation VR games may finally be coming to PS VR 2 in the near future.

At the Siggraph 2024 Asia Expo in Japan, Sony had a booth demonstrating the PlayStation VR2 with hand tracking, according to UploadVR. Unlike controller tracking, hand tracking allows users to interact with what they see in front of them using only their hands and no attachments. This feature already exists in Meta Quest and Apple Vision Pro, but is notably absent from PlayStation VR2.



PlayStation VR2 fans will have to wait for hand tracking

Hand tracking has not yet been implemented in games for the PlayStation VR2, but that may change in the near future. The purpose of the PlayStation VR2 demo appears to be for developers. That's because Sony announced that hand tracking functionality is now available in the PS5's SDK. Sony hasn't made any big announcements to consumers yet, so it remains to be seen whether Sony will also add the ability to control the interface with hands and gestures outside of games.


Controllers are still ideal for many games and VR experiences, but using your hands is something more intuitive that makes VR much more accessible to some gamers and non-gamers alike. The PlayStation VR2 may have some catching up to its competitors in this respect, but to be fair, the PlayStation VR2 isn't even a mixed reality headset like the Meta Quest and Apple Vision Pro. Using your hands in VR is definitely a bonus and can make some games better, but it makes the most sense to use your hands when they are physically visible in the passthrough of a mixed reality headset.

There is no word yet on when this feature will begin to be available to gamers. It's ultimately up to individual developers to decide whether to implement manual tracking, and doing so may require a major game update. But it's a good sign that Sony is pushing the boundaries of VR with existing hardware, giving fans more reasons to care about virtual reality.

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