Apple To Team Up With Sony to Boost VR Gaming on Apple Vision Pro

Highlights

• Apple is working with Sony to make the Vision Pro headset more gaming compatible.
• It is also planning on getting support for VR game controllers and PlayStation VR2 hand controllers.
• Currently, the Vision Pro supports traditional gaming controllers.

Apple is serious about the future of Apple Vision Pro despite low sales numbers and the many industry naysayers. Recent reports suggest the company is working with Sony to make the Vision Pro headset more gaming compatible.

According to Bloomberg’s Apple reporter Mark Gurman, Apple plans to support standard VR game controllers on the Vision Pro to make it more appealing for gamers.

In his recent Power On newsletter, Gurman notes that gaming is not currently the Vision Pro’s strong suit. However, the company is doing everything possible to change that for future versions.

Gurman writes, “Apple is now working on a major effort to support third-party hand controllers in the device’s visionOS software and has teamed up with Sony Group Corp. to make it happen.”

While there’s no specific timeline, a future update to visionOS is expected to add this support.

Moreover, Apple is reportedly also looking at the Sony collaboration as a means to bring PlayStation VR2 controllers to the Vision Pro.

Gurman shared, “Apple approached Sony earlier this year, and the duo agreed to work together on launching support for the PlayStation VR2’s hand controllers on the Vision Pro. Inside Sony, the work has been a monthslong undertaking, I’m told. And Apple has discussed the plan with third-party developers, asking them if they’d integrate support into their games.”

However, the collaboration has faced delays.

Apple and Sony initially aimed to announce this feature last month but it was postponed. Gurman suggests the feature is still on track unless plans are abruptly shelved.

Apple also explored a different kind of input device, prototyping a “wand” similar to an Apple Pencil for precise controls.

Currently, the Vision Pro supports traditional gaming controllers from Xbox and PlayStation for Apple Arcade games.

However, it doesn’t support standard VR controllers, limiting its ability to handle most VR games.

Sales of the Vision Pro have been underwhelming so far with “fewer than half a million units” sold. Many users are reportedly using the headset less frequently than Apple anticipated. So, adding better VR gaming support could help improve adoption and sales.

As we mentioned in the beginning, Apple remains committed to the Vision Pro despite many challenges.

 FAQs

Q1. What is Apple doing to make the Vision Pro headset more gaming compatible?

Answer. Apple is working with Sony to support standard VR game controllers on the Vision Pro and plans to bring PlayStation VR2 hand controllers to the headset.

Q2. Has the collaboration between Apple and Sony faced any challenges?

Answer. Yes, the collaboration has faced delays, but Apple remains committed to adding better VR gaming support to boost the adoption and sales of the Vision Pro.

Q3. What is the current support for gaming controllers on the Vision Pro?

Answer. Currently, the Vision Pro supports traditional gaming controllers from Xbox and PlayStation for Apple Arcade games but doesn’t support standard VR controllers.

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