Analysts reported a weak start by PlayStation VR2 - less than 300 thousand helmets were sold in the first month

According to analysts from IDC, the PlayStation VR2 next-generation virtual reality helmet found less than 300,000 buyers worldwide in the first month. The information was published by Bloomberg.

To be more precise, experts expect that by March 31, 2023, the helmet will sell around 270,000 pieces. It launched on February 22, and Sony has never officially commented on its sales.

IDC considers the launch "expectedly weak."

"People around the world are facing rising living costs and job cuts," said IDC Vice President Francisco Geronimo. "VR headsets are not a priority for mass audiences in the current economic climate."

Earlier, Sony CFO Hiroki Totoki expressed confidence that the PlayStation VR2 could outsell the first PlayStation 4 headset, which sold 5 million units, during its life cycle.

Analysts say that even if this happens, Sony will not become the leader of the VR market, where sales of the most popular gaming helmet have already exceeded 20 million units.

The threshold for entry into the VR world from Sony is very high, experts say. To use the PlayStation VR2, which costs more than the PlayStation 5, you also need to buy the console itself. This will slow down the distribution of the new helmet and may negatively affect its game lineup. In fact, PlayStation VR2 is a new platform, games for which will be created based on its popularity among users.

"I think Sony will have to lower the price of the PlayStation VR2 to avoid a complete disaster with the new helmet," Geronimo added.

Sony officials declined to comment on the Bloomberg publication.