pic.twitter.com/D1GalrTUsl

— iVRy (@iVRy_VR) May 6, 2023

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The iVRy team, who made it possible to use the original PlayStation VR and other headsets on PC have passed an important milestone in getting the new PSVR 2 to work on PC.

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Previously the team had discovered that the PSVR 2 headset which they state is "probably the most locked down consumer headset in existence" authenticates itself through a handshake connection with the PS5 and although they won't disclose the methods used, the team have successfully authenticated the device between their system and the headset, opening up the possibility for a driver to be written that would be capable of using the headset with PC based VR software.

It's worth bearing in mind that while the PSVR 2 uses USB-C, the iVRy team have specified that it's not a standard alt mode DisplayPort interface and currently only works with VirtualLink compatible graphics cards or the BizLink VirtualLink Interface Adapter.

You can follow their progress at their Twitter page below.

@iVRy_VR Twitter

 

[neotank19]

Love cool hacking stories like this.

 

[Maq47]

First! just kidding, second!

 

[Kioku]

Progress is progress. Still, after reading and seeing some reviews, I can’t say this headset is what I’m looking for..

 

[ecto]

I was hoping for something like that!
A nice VR set for the PS5 and the PC. But no: $ony had to make it only compatible with the PS5 and PSVR2 games.

 

[Osha]

Wait isn't VirtualLink basically dead at this point ? Why would Sony make use of that technology ?

 

[linuxares]

NICE! This should been part of the normal release. Sony would sell so many VR headsets

 

[Latiodile]

Wait isn't VirtualLink basically dead at this point ? Why would Sony make use of that technology ?

because they want to make things as proprietary as possible, obv

 

[Ericzander]

Let me use this bad boy on my Steam Deck and I'll purchase it. It's hard to justify getting it just for PS5, but this is exciting news!

 

[tabzer]

How does Sony both sell headsets and please stockholders? Unofficial 3rd party support.

 

[Foxi4]

Very nicely done. I had a feeling this piece of kit will get cracked, in spite of the statements made by PSVR hackers who expected the signal to be esoteric. Upon release it turns out that the video works exactly the same as ye olde VR “USB-C” style connectors, the name escapes me, and sniffing out the data is only a matter of time, so long as it’s not crazy-encrypted in some way. This might seem small, but it’s actually a big step towards PC compatibility.

 

[KingVamp]

As said, it would sell more if it was on other devices and it makes even less sense to wall it off, since they already got their games on PC.

Also, didn't Apple get in trouble for using proprietary cords?

 

[Foxi4]

As said, it would sell more if it was on other devices and it makes even less sense to wall it off, since they already got their games on PC.

Also, didn't Apple get in trouble for using proprietary cords?

It’s not a proprietary cord, it’s a slightly different protocol, and Apple got in trouble because the directive specifically concerns charge cables for mobile devices, which are supposed to be standardised to USB-C. You don’t need to charge a PSVR 2.

 

[tabzer]

Also, didn't Apple get in trouble for using proprietary cords?

They got in trouble for forcing customers to buy extra cords/chargers because of some sort of EU directive about e-waste. Forcing their customers to buy extra phones via planned obsolescence and sabotage is okay still, afaik.

 

[Kwyjor]

I wonder if this is a case where Sony accidentally left the keys sitting around somewhere in plaintext, or if they used a bruteforce attack? Probably some combination of the two, I guess.

 

[FAST6191]

I love pointless hacks and this has to be up there in the hold my beer stakes having seen the Doom on a pregnancy tester. Well done lads.

 

[x65943]

I love pointless hacks and this has to be up there in the hold my beer stakes having seen the Doom on a pregnancy tester. Well done lads.

How is it pointless?

Sure no driver atm, but that will be coming

For those who bought the headset it will allow them to use one for all their devices - instead of having to buy one for PC and for ps5

 

[FAST6191]

How is it pointless?

Sure not driver atm, but that will be coming

For those who bought the headset it will allow them to use one for all their devices - instead of having to buy one for PC and for ps5

Because VR is presently pointless, or to bring back an old classic VR has no gaems.

I want VR to be a thing, I want the promise of 70s through 90s sci fi but not seeing it happening with this iteration.

 

[x65943]

Because VR is presently pointless, or to bring back an old classic VR has no gaems.

I want VR to be a thing, I want the promise of 70s through 90s sci fi but not seeing it happening with this iterations

True there aren't a ton, but some fun apps like beat saber. Also some fun co-op VR games like Arizona sunshine. There is a neat app where you can play emulators in VR on a CRT which is pretty unique. You can also play older games in VR with the VR dolphin build. Beyond that other PC games have been retooled like Fallout 4 VR and Skyrim VR.

I admit my headset mostly just collecta dust now, but I did have some fun with it. And hey if you already have it for PS5 anyway might as well get some PC support to play some of the other neat things I mentioned.

 

[K3Nv4]

Because VR is presently pointless, or to bring back an old classic VR has no gaems.

I want VR to be a thing, I want the promise of 70s through 90s sci fi but not seeing it happening with this iteration.

Haven't really seen many titles that make me want to buy a PS5 over a PC yet to this day most everything is ported as is. The MSRP point of PSVR2 makes it almost in other VR headset territory for PC so meh.