Sony and PlayStation have already announced that the much-anticipated PlayStation VR will make its way to the fans toward the end of the year. However, an additional surprise has also been revealed – the new VR headgear will feature backwards compatibility with most PS4 titles.
In a press release, Sony announced that most of the current titles on the PlayStation 4 will be playable using the PlayStation VR. Apparently, the new virtual reality headset has a "Cinematic Mode" feature, and this option will allow PlayStation VR users to view non-VR content on the headset. According to the announcement, "Supported content for the Cinematic mode includes standard PS4 games and videos as well as variety of PS4 features including Share Play and Live from PlayStation."
This means that titles on the current-gen PlayStation 4 can still be played with the PlayStation VR even if the copies don't support virtual reality. However, Sony clarified that the interface will not be as immersive as a VR-capable game will be. Rather, playing current PS4 games on the VR headset will simulate a display, letting users view content on a visual screen for up to a 225-inch width at a distance of 2.5 meters, noted GameSpot.
The "Cinematic Mode" feature of the PlayStation VR can also be used to view other non-VR media such as images and videos, as well as content in the PlayStation Share, Play, and Live. The feature for non-game content will be somehow similar to a real VR experience, with Sony stating that "Users will also be able to enjoy 360 degrees photos and videos that are captured by devices such as omnidirectional cameras on PS VR via PS4 Media Player, which will let them feel as if they are physically inside the captured scene."
The PlayStation VR will become available in October and is priced at $399.
